Influence of date palm based biochar and compost on water retention properties of soils with different sand contents

The influence of the addition of sand on the magnitude of the effect of organic amendments on soil water retention for a given soil has been investigated. To address this important question, semi-arid silt-rich soils from Spain were artificially enriched in sand in different proportions and supplemented with organic amendments: compost and biochar from date palm residues. Then, to quantify the influence of sand content and organic amendments application, soil water retention measurements were performed at nine matric potential values in laboratory using pressure membrane apparatus.