Crop Yield Response to Increasing Biochar Rates

Abstract

ABSTRACTCrop yield response to biochar application may vary with biochar type/rate, soil, crop, or climate. The objective of this research was to identify yield response of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), corn (Zea mays L.), and peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) to hardwood biochar applied once at the beginning of a 5-year project. Biochar was applied at 0, 22.4, 44.8, 89.6, and 134.4 Mg ha−1 and mixed into the soil at a 15-cm depth. Cotton (2010–2011), corn (2012–2013), and peanut (2014) were planted following strip tillage, and irrigated using drip irrigation. Crops were managed using best management practices. Nitrogen fertilizer (32–0–0) was applied through the drip system at 84 and 246 kg N ha−1 per year for cotton and corn, respectively. Soil-water potential sensors were installed at 25 and 50 cm soil depth and irrigation events were scheduled when both sensors averaged −70, −60, and −45 kPa for cotton, corn, and peanut, respectively. There was no difference in cotton lint yield across years (p = 0.081), biochar rates (p = 0.817), or year, by biochar interaction (p = 0.854). There was no difference in corn yield across year (p = 0.302), biochar rate (p = 0.503), or year, by biochar interaction (p = 0.690). Also, there was no peanut yield difference across biochar rate (p = 0.595), or grade factors of total sound mature kernels (TSMK; p = 0.173), or other kernels (OK; p = 0.391). Overall, there was no positive or negative response to crop yield or quality with increasing biochar rates, implying biochar could be applied for economic purposes (carbon sequestration) without detrimental effects to crop yield.