Biochars with a high affinity for phosphorus (P) are promising soil amendments for reducing P in agricultural runoff. Poultry litter (PL) is an abundant biochar feedstock. However, PL-derived biochars are typically high in soluble P and therefore require chemical modification to become effective P sorbents. This study investigated the effect of magnesium (Mg) activation on extractable P (EP) and P sorption capacities of PL-derived biochars. Biochar was produced at 500–900 °C from PL activated with 0–1 M Mg. Three differentially aged PL feedstocks were evaluated (1-, 3–5-, and 7–9-year-old) has context menu.

This dataset is associated with the following publication: Padilla, J.T., D. Watts, J. Novak, V. Cerven, J. Ippolito, A.A. Szogi, and M. Johnson. Magnesium activation affects the properties and phosphate sorption capacity of poultry litter biochar. Biochar. Springer Nature, New York, NY, USA, 5: 64, (2023).