Semester

Summer

Date of Graduation

2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design

Department

Division of Forestry and Natural Resources

Committee Chair

David McGill

Committee Member

Jamie Schuler

Committee Member

Charlene Kelly

Abstract

Biochar, a carbon-rich material produced from biomass, has received wide attention for soil amendment to improve plant growth. However, its specific effects on pollinator friendly plants remain poorly understood. In this study, we evaluated the effects of four biochar application rates (0, 10, 20, 40 tons/acre) and deer exclusion (fenced vs. unfenced) on the productivity of three pollinator species; Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum), Plains Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria), and Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) in a utility right of way with a history of mining. A split-plot randomized design was used, and the results were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models. Fencing had a significant effect on height for both buckwheat and plains coreopsis (p < 0.0001), while biochar showed no statistically significant effect on growth in any species. However, the tallest plants were observed in fenced plots with 10–20 tons/acre biochar. Black -eyed Susan showed minimal response to either treatment across both measurements (p > 0.05). One-way ANOVA results revealed that biochar application significantly influenced soil pH, SOM, and potassium (K) levels (p < 0.05), suggesting biochar’s potential to enhance soil fertility even when short-term growth responses are limited. Findings from this study suggest that although biochar can enhance soil qualities, successful restoration of pollinator plants also requires protection from deer browsing. Integrating soil amendments with fences may be critical for enhancing the success of pollinator plantings.

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