Facilitation of Forest Landscape Restoration on Abandoned Swidden Fallows in Laos using Mixed-Species Planting and Biochar Application

background

This article aims to assess the feasibility of a plantation with eight mixed native species fertilized with rice husk biochar as a technique for soil amendment at a specific site in Laos.

Research Goals & Methods

The use of biochar was compared to inorganic (NPK) fertilizer and to no fertilization. The effects on the planted seedlings establishment and growth were monitored for four years.

Conclusions & Takeaways

The authors found as a result that the addition of rice husk biochar and NPK fertilizer presented no significant improvement on the survival rate of planted seedlings, compared to the control. Also, there were no significant growth responses to the soil amendments for most species during the first year. However, biochar presented a more evident effect on seedlings diameter and height at the fourth year; particularly for slow-growing species. The authors conclude that the eight species used mixed-planted with the use of biochar have potential to provide continuous supply of wood, diversifying the livelihood and swidden field owners while maintaining ecosystem services.