Abstract
Globally, mineral nitrogen (N) losses as nitrate leaching (NL) are a substantial portion of applied fertilizer and cause surface and sub-surface water contamination. To precisely measure NL and its interlink parameters, biochar soil amendment was tested in this study. Three treatments—biochar (BC), without biochar (WB) with 15N urea (300 kg/ha), and control (no fertilization)—were tested in soil-filled lysimeters (circular PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) tank of 30 cm diameter and 35 cm height) equipped with moisture content sensors and weighing assembly for the consecutive two cropping of Brassica Camprestis Var. Chinensis. The 15N-urea in the first season and the poultry manure in the second season were applied, but the fate of the 15N was examined in leachate, dry matter, and soil. As compared to WB, BC significantly decreased mineral N leaching, including nitrate levels (35%), increased electrical conductivity (68.5%), and water availability (20% inches per foot), while there was a non-significant increase in biomass per plant (2.84%), evapotranspiration (8.33%), dry matter (6.89%), and a decrease in mean leachate volume (7.63%). Moreover, BC accumulated values were higher than WB, as N uptake (38%), water use efficiency (12.24%), maximum fresh weight (11.4%), and soil N retained (185%) after cropping. The soil pH, the bulk density, and the total nitrogen were changed but presented non-significant differences. Therefore, biochar can increase soil N retention and available water to improve water use efficiency and decrease potential N leaching.
Highlights
Worldwide, nitrogenous fertilizers are abundantly used to enhance crop production in agricultural sectors, but lower nitrogen (N) use efficiencies in almost all agricultural land originate from nitrogen losses in the form of ammonia volatilization, nitrate leaching, and emission of greenhouse gases (GHG)
The Chinese government has to take management measures to protect the groundwater from further dreadful conditions, because a considerable portion of the population depends on the groundwater resources for drinking, livestock farming, and other uses
It might have been due to the combined action of poultry manure and biochar in the second season
Summary
Nitrogenous fertilizers are abundantly used to enhance crop production in agricultural sectors, but lower nitrogen (N) use efficiencies in almost all agricultural land originate from nitrogen losses in the form of ammonia volatilization, nitrate leaching, and emission of greenhouse gases (GHG). Active N threatens the environment in the form of worsened changes in precipitation and temperature patterns, and on the other hand, higher nitrate concentrations in surface and subsurface waters put pressure on water resources of the globe. Higher nitrate in potable water has been generating problems after agricultural modernization such as blue baby syndrome in humans [1], poisoning in animals [2], and harmful effects on plant bodies in certain conditions [3]. The Chinese government has to take management measures to protect the groundwater from further dreadful conditions, because a considerable portion of the population depends on the groundwater resources for drinking, livestock farming, and other uses
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