Abstract
In recent years, the application of biochar as soil amendment has generated a huge interest for the preservation of soil fertility by improving the physicochemical and biological properties of soil, and for the reduction of the negative effects of greenhouse emissions (climate-change adaptation). In this study, we investigated the effect of three soil amendments, namely, biochars derived from wood (BC), solid digestate (SD), and biochar derived from solid digestate (BSD), on soil parameters and their influence in maize-growth performance. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse where organic amendments were applied to the soil control (C) at different application rates: 0%, 1%, 2%, and 3% w/w (equivalent at 0, 10, 20, and 30 t ha−1, respectively). The results indicated that all applications of organic amendments significantly enhanced soil parameters such as pH and electrical conductivity, while only BSD and SD showed a significant increase in secondary macro-(i.e., Ca, Mg) and micronutrient-element content (i.e., Na, Fe, Mn and Zn). The best maize performance (i.e., plant height, stem diameter, biomass dry weight, seed number, and weight per ear) was observed while using BSD, while plant growth in BC had reduced results, probably due to the low presence of elemental content and the relatively high volatile-matter (VM) content, which may have altered nitrogen dynamics.
Highlights
Biochar is a solid black carbon-rich material obtained by the thermochemical carbonization of lignocellulosic biomass in an oxygen-depleted atmosphere [1,2]
The objectives of this study were: (i) characterize three different organic soil amendments, namely, biochars derived from woodchips (BC), solid digestate (SD), and biochar derived from solid digestate (BSD); (ii) determine the major effects on soil properties by amendment addition; and (iii) as a result, evaluate the amendment-induced influence on Zea maize L. growth
Concerning pH, biochars were characterized by alkaline value, with the highest recorded in BSD (8.48), followed by BC (8.17), while neutral pH (7.12) was reported for SD
Summary
Biochar is a solid black carbon-rich material obtained by the thermochemical carbonization of lignocellulosic biomass in an oxygen-depleted atmosphere [1,2]. Reactor configuration, and process parameters affect biochar yield and main physicochemical characteristics, such as pore structure, surface area, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and nutrient content, as reported by several authors [5,6,7]. This sustainable approach is promoted by the stable nature, chemical recalcitrance, and resistance to biological degradation of biochar, which ensures a slowly cycling reservoir for at least one hundred years [1,6]. Butnan et al [13] reported that biochar positively affected maize growth, and persistent positive (liming) and negative (cation antagonism) effects in soil, whereas
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