EJSSEurasian Journal of Soil ScienceEurasian J Soil Sci2147 - 4249Federation of Eurasian Soil Science Societieshttp://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.192087210.18393/ejss.1920872Vertical dynamics of Ombrogenous peat physical properties on Bengkalis island, IndonesiaBesri Nasrul besrinasrul@lecturer.unri.ac.id Muhamad Yusa Idwar Nurhidayati Arman Effendi M. Amrul Khoiri Nurhayati 153325-3342025-07-072026-03-242026-04-012026-06-30 Copyright © 2016 The authors and Federation of Eurasian Soil Science Societies Peat depth reflects the humification process and the diversity of physical properties. The study examined vertical physical properties and their dynamic relationship with peat depth in an ombrogenous peat dome system. Observations were made on five profiles representing a variety of land elevations. These profiles are arranged sequentially from the edge of the dome to its peak. Profile locations were extracted from DTM LiDAR, while thickness was measured using an Eijkelkamp drill. Profile descriptions were made at every 20 cm interval above the drill bit, totaling 123 layers. Laboratory analysis included moisture content (gravimetric), bulk density/BD (ring), and fiber content (syringe). Statistical analysis employed Pearson correlation and simple linear regression at a 5% significance level. Vertical autocorrelation of peat properties is expected to be evident in adjacent peat depth layers. Profile P3 at the top of the dome I showed the strongest and most significant relationship, with the distributions of fiber content, moisture content, and BD strongly influenced by depth. A relatively deeper groundwater table promotes greater surface aeration and enhanced humification. Profile P4 in dome II also shows a significant relationship, indicating the role of BD in shaping the vertical distribution of peat. In contrast, the low coefficients of determination for P1, P2, and P5 indicate that variations in moisture content and BD are influenced more by groundwater-level fluctuations than by depth alone, whereas fiber content remains strongly correlated with depth. Although Profiles P4 and P5 are located within the same dome, they display different vertical patterns. At Profile P4, moisture content and fiber content do not vary systematically with depth. This deviation is attributed to intensive mixed-crop cultivation, which disrupts the peat dome structure and weakens the natural relationship between depth and peat physical properties.Ombrogenous, peat depth, physical characteristics, tropical peat profile.http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.192097510.18393/ejss.1920975Recreational load as a factor of soil compaction in protected landscapesOleg Gordienko oleg.gordienko.95@bk.ruAnna Mitrofanova Tibor József Novák 153335-3472025-12-112026-03-262026-04-012026-06-30 Copyright © 2016 The authors and Federation of Eurasian Soil Science Societies Tourism in protected natural areas is growing globally, necessitating environmental monitoring to assess its impact. Recreational monitoring is a systematic approach to regularly assess, analyze, and forecast the state of protected areas affected by recreational activities. Its primary goal is to detect changes caused by anthropogenic pressure in order to ensure sustainable management and conservation of natural resources. This study investigates the effects of recreational pressure on soil properties along the “Volga Switzerland” ecological trail located in the Shcherbakovsky Natural Park (Volgograd Region, Russia) (50.490782, 45.704665). To evaluate soil response to trampling, spatial heterogeneity and varying degradation stages were considered. Soil samples were collected at 12 sites from the trail surface, as well as at distances of 20, 50, and 100 cm from the trail edge. The results indicate a positive correlation between trail intensity and bulk soil density: the more pronounced the trail, the greater the compaction across all depths. For lightly trampled trails, the average density was 1.24 g cm-3 (+0.25 g cm-3 above background). For moderately trampled trails — 1.46 g cm-3 (+0.10 g cm-3), and for heavily trampled trails — 1.51 g cm-3 (+0.11 g cm-3). The most significant effects are observed within the trail itself and extend to a depth of 20 cm, particularly under heavily and moderately trampled areas. At a distance of 100 cm, median bulk density values across all depths approach background levels, confirming the localized spatial nature of recreational impact. These findings highlight the importance of soil monitoring in protected areas to maintain their ecological integrity.Bulk density, trail compaction, walking trails, recreational trampling, protected area management.http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.192478810.18393/ejss.1924788Effects of primary tillage systems on soil physical properties and grain sorghum productivity after rice in paddy-derived soils under arid conditions of the Kyzylorda region, KazakhstanIbadulla Tautenov Serik Bekzhanov Laura Tokhetova lauramarat_777@mail.ruNurali Nurgaliyev Bekzatkhan Kultassov Ainur Demesinova Karlygash Kaimoldayeva 153348-3622025-11-132026-04-022026-04-072026-06-30 Copyright © 2016 The authors and Federation of Eurasian Soil Science Societies This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different primary tillage systems on selected soil physical properties and grain sorghum productivity in paddy-derived meadow-marsh soils of the Kyzylorda region, Kazakhstan. The experiment was carried out during the 2024 and 2025 growing seasons at the scientific station of the Kazakh Research Institute of Rice Growing named after I. Zhakhayev. Three tillage treatments were compared: moldboard plowing (25–27 cm), non-inversion tillage (14–16 cm), and sweep plowing (13–15 cm). The study assessed pre-sowing soil moisture, bulk density, surface roughness, aggregate-size distribution, soil structure coefficient, field emergence, plant survival, green biomass yield, and grain yield. The two experimental years differed in weather conditions, with 2025 being warmer and drier than 2024 during critical growth stages. Tillage significantly affected both soil physical properties and crop performance. Sweep plowing and non-inversion tillage conserved more pre-sowing moisture than moldboard plowing, while moldboard plowing resulted in lower bulk density and greater surface roughness. Reduced tillage treatments increased the proportion of 25–10 mm aggregates, whereas moldboard plowing produced a slightly higher soil structure coefficient. Sweep plowing provided the highest field emergence in both years, but moldboard plowing resulted in the highest plant survival, green biomass yield, and grain yield. Averaged across years, moldboard plowing produced the highest grain yield (2.8 ± 0.18 t ha⁻¹), whereas non-inversion tillage and sweep plowing reduced yield by about 0.4–0.5 t ha⁻¹. The results indicate that reduced tillage was advantageous for pre-sowing moisture conservation and early establishment, whereas moldboard plowing created a more favorable root-zone environment for final crop productivity. Under the paddy-derived soils and arid rice-rotation conditions of the Kyzylorda region, moldboard plowing to 25–27 cm was the most effective tillage option for stable grain sorghum production.Grain sorghum, moldboard plowing, reduced tillage, soil physical properties, Kyzylorda.http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.192480410.18393/ejss.1924804Spatial assessment of soil quality under different land use and land cover patterns in a micro-catchment of the Central Black Sea Region, TürkiyeSena Pacci Kızıldağ Sıla Tosun Bedirhan Ertosun Furkan Bekar Orhan Dengiz odengiz@omu.edu.tr153363-3742025-12-082026-04-032026-04-072026-06-30 Copyright © 2016 The authors and Federation of Eurasian Soil Science Societies Soil quality is a key indicator of sustainable land management because it reflects the capacity of soil to perform essential physical, chemical, and biological functions. This study aimed to evaluate the spatial variability of soil quality under different land use and land cover types within a micro-catchment located in Bafra District, Samsun Province, in the Central Black Sea Region of Türkiye. The study area includes forest, pasture, hazelnut orchards, and cultivated agricultural lands under semi-humid ecological conditions. A total of 27 soil indicators representing physical, chemical, biological, and fertility-related properties were used to assess soil quality. Surface soil samples (0–30 cm) were collected from 62 sampling points distributed across the study area. Soil quality indicators were grouped under four main criteria and weighted using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Linear and non-linear Standard Scoring Functions (SSF) were then applied to normalize the indicator values and calculate linear and non-linear soil quality indices (L-SQI and NL-SQI). Spatial distribution maps of both indices were produced in a GIS environment using geostatistical interpolation methods. The results showed that the spatial patterns of L-SQI and NL-SQI were highly similar across the study area. Low soil quality values were mainly concentrated in the eastern parts of the micro-catchment, whereas relatively higher soil quality values were observed in the northern and southern parts. Forested areas generally exhibited higher soil quality, while hazelnut-dominated areas were associated with relatively lower soil quality values. The findings demonstrate that integrating AHP, SSF, geostatistics, and GIS provides an effective framework for evaluating and mapping soil quality under different land use systems and can support sustainable land management decisions in regions with similar ecological conditions. Soil quality index, land use, land cover, AHP, standard scoring functions, GIS.http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.193441410.18393/ejss.1934414Microalgal biovolume and taxonomic composition along a restoration chronosequence in sandy post-mining soilsOleksandr Bren oscillat8@gmail.comOksana Bren Maria Čížková Anastasiia Kolomiiets Jana Kvíderová Sergey Podorozhny Milada Vítová 153375-3862026-01-202026-04-132026-04-202026-06-30 Copyright © 2016 The authors and Federation of Eurasian Soil Science Societies This study examined microalgal biovolume and taxonomic composition across a restoration chronosequence in sandy post-mining soils and their relationships with abiotic soil properties. The research was conducted in a single sand pit in Central Europe, representing a case study of a typical regional post-mining environment. Samples were collected in winter, spring, and summer from nine experimental plots representing a 4–43-year chronosequence after mining cessation, and from three control plots where mining did not occur. The microalgal biovolume was higher in recently restored plots and lower in older plots. Although biovolume varied seasonally, seasonal changes in taxonomic composition were limited. Biovolume showed a significant negative correlation with organic matter content in all studied seasons, and a similar pattern was observed for Oscillatoriales and Zygnemales, whereas correlations for other taxa varied among seasons and were not consistently significant. In this study, microalgal characteristics did not provide sufficient information for assessing the restoration of sandy post-mining soils under field conditions. However, the decrease in biovolume along the restoration chronosequence, its negative relationship with organic matter content, and the similar relationships observed for taxa identified in this study suggest directions for further investigation. These findings require verification across multiple post-mining sites.Soil microalgae, biovolume, taxonomic composition, restoration chronosequence, seasonal variation, abiotic soil properties.http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.194462810.18393/ejss.1944628Response of rice to phosphogypsum application rates in salt-affected paddy soil of the Kyzylorda Region, KazakhstanRakhmetulla Zhapparbergenov Perizat Bulanbayeva perizat.bulanbayeva@mail.ruIbadulla Tautenov Serik Bekzhanov Laura Tokhetova Nursulu Yesmakhan Raushan Nurymova Kuanysh Karabayev Bakhytkul Kenzhaliyeva 153387-3972025-10-122026-04-152026-05-052026-06-30 Copyright © 2016 The authors and Federation of Eurasian Soil Science Societies Salt-affected soils are a major constraint to rice production in the arid irrigated environments of Central Asia, including the Kyzylorda region of Kazakhstan. This study assessed the agronomic response of rice to different phosphogypsum (PG) application rates under local paddy-field conditions. A field experiment was conducted during the 2025 growing season under a uniform nitrogen background of N120, with four treatments: 0, 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 t PG ha⁻¹. Plant density, plant survival until harvest, grain yield, and major yield components were evaluated. The experimental soil was heavy-textured and alkaline, while the irrigation environment was salt-affected. Phosphogypsum application improved all measured agronomic traits relative to the untreated control. Plant density increased from 240 ± 8.5 plants m⁻² in the control to 255 ± 7.2, 268 ± 6.9, and 271 ± 7.8 plants m⁻² at 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 t PG ha⁻¹, respectively. Plant survival rose from 89.4% in the control to 91.8%, 94.2%, and 96.3% with increasing PG rate. Grain yield increased from 4.28 ± 0.21 t ha⁻¹ in the control to 4.55 ± 0.18, 4.79 ± 0.15, and 4.84 ± 0.17 t ha⁻¹ at 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 t PG ha⁻¹, respectively. Productive stems, plant height, grains per main panicle, grain weight per panicle, and 1000-grain weight also increased progressively with phosphogypsum application. The highest numerical values for grain yield and all yield components were obtained at 7.5 t ha⁻¹, although the gain over 5.0 t ha⁻¹ was relatively small. These results indicate that phosphogypsum is an effective amendment for improving rice productivity in salt-affected irrigated soils of the Kyzylorda region. Within the tested range, 7.5 t ha⁻¹ provided the strongest agronomic response, while the limited yield increment beyond 5.0 t ha⁻¹ suggests diminishing return at the highest application rate. Phosphogypsum, rice, salinity, grain yield, Kazakhstan. http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.194464310.18393/ejss.1944643Soil organic carbon stocks along depth profiles in mangrove and sago wetland forests of Southwest Papua, IndonesiaObed Nedjo Lense o.lense@unipa.ac.idJulius Dwi Nugroho Mutakim Mutakim Jimmy Frans Wanma Francina Fanny Kesaulija Marlon Arthur Huwae 153398-4102025-12-242026-04-202026-05-052026-06-30 Copyright © 2016 The authors and Federation of Eurasian Soil Science Societies Wetland ecosystems are important natural carbon sinks, yet data on soil organic carbon (SOC) in eastern Indonesian wetlands are limited. This study quantified SOC stocks and their vertical distribution in mangrove and sago wetland forests in Southwest Papua, Indonesia. Using a nested sampling design, soil cores were collected from 11 mangrove sites to a depth of 300 cm and from 11 sago forest sites to a depth of 50 cm. SOC content was determined by using the loss-on-ignition method and combined with bulk density to estimate SOC stocks by depth. Across the full soil profile, mangrove stored more SOC (mean 702.38 Mg C ha⁻¹) than sago forests (average 338.74 Mg C ha⁻¹), mainly because of their deeper organic soil layers. In both ecosystems, SOC declined with depth, but deeper soil layers still contributed substantially to total carbon stock in mangroves. Regression analysis showed that SOC stock decreased with depth, while higher canopy cover corresponded to greater SOC stocks. These findings show that sampling depth strongly affects cross-ecosystem comparisons and confirm that Southwest Papua’s wetland forests are significant carbon stores. The study provides baseline data for an understudied region, supporting the conservation of mangrove and sago wetlands for climate regulation and carbon sequestration.Soil organic carbon, mangrove ecosystems, sago wetlands, blue carbon, tropical wetland soils.http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.195217410.18393/ejss.1952174Morphological, physical and chemical characterization and soil rehabilitation alternatives for abandoned coal mine site soilsGulsen Tozsin gulsentozsin@gmail.comTaskin Oztas 153411-4182026-01-052026-05-122026-05-152026-06-30 Copyright © 2016 The authors and Federation of Eurasian Soil Science Societies Mining is one of the most important activities that can cause soil degradation. Therefore, in areas where mining activities are conducted, it is important to determine alterations in soil characteristics and to define and implement economically sustainable methods related to soil rehabilitation and soil protection. This study aimed to identify the negative interactions occurring in soil characteristics in coal mining areas and to evaluate potential alternatives for the rehabilitation of soils in abandoned coal mining areas. Thirty six surface soil samples (0-20 cm) were collected, and 3 soil profiles were dug within the coal-mining area in Cankiri province, Turkiye. The soil-test values indicated that the soils have high amounts of iron (>4.5 mg kg-1 Fe) and copper (>0.2 mg kg-1 Cu), but low amounts of zinc (<0.7 mg kg-1 Zn) and manganese (<14 mg kg-1 Mn, except Profile 1), which are essential nutrients for plant growth. The soil reaction (pH) is highly variable and changed between 3.60 in the coal storage area and 7.86 in the outside of the dump site-2. Soils are classified as moderately calcareous in terms of CaCO3 content (avg. 5.03%) and have low amounts of organic matter content (avg. 1.66%). The boron content of the soils is generally above the optimum level (<5 mg kg-1) for plants and classified as extremely high (avg. 5.79 mg kg-1). It is suggested that backfilling, soil replacement and revegetation activities should be carried out to regain the efficiency of the abandoned excavation areas within or near to the dump-site and local storage areas as well as marble wastes applications for soil pH neutralization in the study site. Coal mining, soil quality, soil degradation, soil rehabilitation. http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.195218410.18393/ejss.1952184Priestia aryabhattai NVC-CMB3 as a sustainable biofertilizer enhancing baby maize yield and nitrogen use efficiencyNguyen Van Chuong nvchuong@agu.edu.vn153419-4272026-02-062026-05-122026-05-152026-06-30 Copyright © 2016 The authors and Federation of Eurasian Soil Science Societies Excessive reliance on mineral nitrogen (N) fertilizers in baby maize production raises concerns about soil degradation, low nitrogen use efficiency, and environmental sustainability. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the indigenous rhizobacterium Priestia aryabhattai strain NVC-CMB3 as a bio-input for improving soil fertility and crop performance under field conditions. A two-factor factorial experiment was conducted with bacterial inoculation, with and without strain NVC-CMB3, and four N fertilizer rates: 0, 175, 262.5, and 350 kg ha⁻¹. Soil chemical properties, agronomic traits, yield components, and nutrient composition of edible cobs were assessed. Inoculation with strain NVC-CMB3 significantly increased soil organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and exchangeable potassium compared with non-inoculated treatments. Improvements in plant height and chlorophyll content were also observed, indicating positive effects on crop growth. However, nitrogen fertilizer rate remained the dominant factor influencing biomass accumulation, yield components, and nutritional quality, with higher nitrogen inputs consistently producing the highest values. Bacterial inoculation moderately improved some yield-related traits but had limited effects on nutritional composition. Overall, the results indicate that strain NVC-CMB3 can support soil fertility and crop performance and may serve as a complementary input in integrated nutrient management strategies, rather than as a substitute for mineral nitrogen fertilizer in baby maize production systems.Baby maize, Priestia aryabhattai, biofertilizer, nitrogen use efficiency, soil fertility, sustainable agriculture.http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.196209910.18393/ejss.1962099Effects of biogas-derived liquid digestates on wheat yield, kernel quality and economic performance under semi-arid conditionsGamze Depel Zeynep Demir zdemir06@yahoo.comDerya Özalp Ünal Ayten Namlı Nihal Ceren Alıcı Sungur Özgür Doğan 153428-4432026-01-132026-05-202026-06-022026-06-30 Copyright © 2016 The authors and Federation of Eurasian Soil Science Societies This study evaluated the effects of biogas-derived liquid digestates on wheat yield, yield components, kernel quality, nutrient contents, and economic performance under semi-arid Central Anatolian conditions. Field experiments were conducted using three digestate types—poultry manure + poppy residue (PP), cattle manure + plant waste (CP), and a poultry + cattle mixture (PC)—applied at 15, 30, 45, and 60 t ha⁻¹, alongside control and NPK treatments. Liquid digestates significantly increased kernel yield compared with the control, with clear differences among digestate types and application rates. Under PP, CP, and PC treatments, yield increased from 2195.2 to 2717.9 kg ha⁻¹, from 2352.2 to 2850.9 kg ha⁻¹, and from 2393.7 to 2807.0 kg ha⁻¹, respectively, with maximum values observed at 30 t ha⁻¹. NPK consistently produced high yields (2807.9-2977.1 kg ha⁻¹). Yield components improved under digestate applications. Digestate applications improved several yield-related traits across all digestate types. Harvest index, plant height, spike length, peduncle length, stem + spikelet weight, spikelet kernel number, spikelet kernel weight, and thousand kernel weight generally increased under digestate treatments compared with the control, although the magnitude of response varied according to digestate source and application rate. Kernel quality traits varied moderately, with crude protein (12.94-16.01%), wet gluten (24.73-36.0%), and Zeleny sedimentation (39.0-62.0 mL). Under PP digestate application, K and Ca levels in wheat kernels were significant (p < 0.01), whereas CP and PC showed limited effects, with significance observed only for Fe. Multivariate analyses indicated that net income was primarily driven by kernel yield and its components. Economic evaluation showed that digestate applications increased profitability, with the highest net income under CP at 30 t ha⁻¹ ($955.2 ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹). Although the highest yield and net income were generally obtained around 30 t ha⁻¹, 15 t ha⁻¹ may represent a safer option where salinity risk and long-term soil effects are major concerns. Overall, biogas liquid digestates—especially CP and PC applied at moderate rates—represent effective and economically viable nutrient sources for wheat production in semi-arid systems. However, further multi-year studies are required to assess long-term impacts on soil properties, nutrient dynamics, and environmental sustainability.Soil fertility, anaerobic digestate, wheat kernel yield and quality, economic evaluation, semi-arid conditions.http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.196212410.18393/ejss.1962124Effects of a natural Illite-based mineral amendment on soil fertility, plant growth, yield and fruit quality of tomato under organic production conditions in southeastern KazakhstanBalausa Kairekenova Akbope Aitbayeva Aigul Nussupova Aliya Maxotova aliusha_1990@mail.ruBakyt Aitbayeva Temirzhan Aitbayev Bakhytkul Kenzhaliyeva 153444-4562025-12-122026-05-222026-06-022026-06-30 Copyright © 2016 The authors and Federation of Eurasian Soil Science Societies Tomato production under organic and low-input systems requires soil fertility strategies that sustain nutrient availability, plant growth, yield and fruit quality, particularly under warm and dry conditions. This study evaluated the effects of World Illite, a natural illite-based mineral amendment compatible with organic production, on soil fertility status, vegetative growth, yield and fruit quality of tomato in southeastern Kazakhstan. The experiment was conducted in 2025 on an alkaline, medium-loamy dark chestnut soil. World Illite was applied at a total seasonal rate of 4670 kg ha⁻¹ and compared with an untreated control. Biological seed treatments, the biofungicide Obogi and selected bioinsecticides were also evaluated as complementary components of an organic tomato production system. At the sampling time, World Illite-treated plots had higher humus, easily hydrolyzable nitrogen, available phosphorus and exchangeable potassium contents than the control, by 40.6%, 77.8%, 20.0% and 9.1%, respectively. These differences were accompanied by significant increases in plant height, total plant weight, fruit number and mean fruit weight, by 48.5%, 54.9%, 37.7% and 38.1%, respectively. Tomato yield increased from 34.2 to 61.5 t ha⁻¹, corresponding to a 79.82% increase. World Illite also increased soluble dry matter by 14.5% and total sugar content by 50.8%. Nitrate concentration increased significantly but remained below the maximum permissible concentration used in the study. Among the complementary biological inputs, Trichodermix produced the highest final seed germination, Obogi reduced late blight severity by 71.73%, and Actarophyt showed the strongest biological effectiveness against Colorado potato beetle larvae. The results indicate that natural illite-based mineral amendments may improve the soil fertility–plant nutrition–yield–quality relationship in organic tomato production. However, multi-year studies including pre- and post-application soil analyses, plant nutrient uptake measurements and different amendment rates are needed to clarify the mechanisms of response.Keywords: Dark chestnut soil, illite-based amendment, nutrient availability, tomato yield, fruit quality.http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.196301110.18393/ejss.1963011Short-term effects of a biochar–compost–clay amendment on physical properties of psamment and maize performance: A pot experimentWiyatri Tapiani Adrinal adrinal@agr.unand.ac.id Gusmini Elsa Lolita Putri 153457-4662025-12-102026-06-012026-06-032026-06-30 Copyright © 2016 The authors and Federation of Eurasian Soil Science Societies Psamment is a coarse-textured soil with low water and nutrient retention capacity, which limits its agricultural productivity. This study investigated the effects of a biochar–compost–clay amendment on the physical properties of Psamment and evaluated maize (Zea mays L.) growth as an indicator response in a short-term pot experiment. In contrast to most studies on sandy soils that evaluate biochar, compost, or clay individually, this work examines their combined short-term application within a single amendment system. Pot experiments were conducted using five amendment rates 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 t ha⁻¹, equivalent to 0, 67, 135, 202, and 270 g pot⁻¹, respectively.. Initial soil properties were analysed before treatment application, and soil physical properties were assessed at the end of the growing period to capture treatment effects after one cropping cycle. The results showed that higher amendment rates induced statistically significant changes in selected soil physical properties. Bulk density decreased significantly, whereas total porosity increased significantly at the 30 and 40 t ha⁻¹ rates. Other physical parameters, including pore size distribution, available water, water retention, and soil aggregation showed numerical changes but were not statistically significant. Plant responses varied, and most growth and yield parameters did not differ significantly among treatments, with the highest biomass occurring in the 40 t ha⁻¹ treatment. These findings suggest that the combined application of biochar, compost, and clay initiates measurable short-term changes in selected physical properties of Psamment, while agronomic benefits may require longer-term soil–plant interactions. Combined biochar, maize growth, physical properties, psamment, yield.