The objective of this study is to elucidate the effects of applying a wood bark-derived biochar to sand dune soil on water and nutrient retention properties in a field experiment. Biochar was applied into the soil at 0 (control), 20, and 40 t-DW ha −1 . Applying biochar significantly enhanced the available water capacity of the soil. Compared with control, the available water capacity increased 20−30 % with 20 t-DW ha −1 and 50−60 % with 40 t-DW ha −1 . In addition, applying biochar

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... y enhanced the cation exchangeable capacity of the soil. Compared with control, the cation exchangeable capacity increased 2−4 % with 20 t-DW ha −1 and 8−9 % with 40 t-DW ha −1 . Furthermore, the decrease in soil matric potential at the root zone of little turnips was suppressed by application of biochar with 40 t-DW ha −1 . Our results clarify the positive effects of applying wood bark-derived biochar on water and nutrient retention properties of sand dune soil under field conditions.