Summary:

The aim of this study is to determine the effects of biochar that obtained from walnut shell and thyme stalk on yield and biomass development of pepper plant. Biochar obtained by self-constructed oxygen-free reactor at 400 C. According to experimental design, 2 different biochar raw materials (walnut shell and thyme stalk) at 3 different doses (0, 0.1 and 0.2% w/w) were evaluated in either with or without sulphur application (0 and 0.1% w/w). Results revealed that the all parameters tested were greatly influenced from raw material, biochar dose as well as sulphur applications. Significant differences were determined between the raw materials in which the biochar was made. According to mean values the walnut shell biochar provide 38% more shoot dry weight than thyme stalk biochar. These findings clearly indicate that although biochar almost consisted of carbon, all of the biochar are not the same, and depends on the raw material; biochar even can reduce plant growth. The effect of sulfur application was also significant, especially in the pots where biochar and sulfur were applied together. The lowest yield value was determined at control as well as 0.1% thyme stalk biochar applied pots as 34.2 and 33.4 g pot-1, respectively while the highest yield value was determined at 5 g walnut shell biochar and sulphur applied pot as 75.7 g pot-1. It has been determined that dose and efficiency studies should be performed for each raw material to determine optimal biochar source and doses.