Levels Of Biochar Research Articles

EFFECT OF BIOCHAR WITH POULTRY MANURE ON MORPHOLOGICAL PARAMETERS AND BIOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF COWPEA (VIGNA UNGUICULATA L.) IN INCEPTISOL SOILS

The research work was conducted during Kharif season 2020-2021 at the Naini Agricultural Institute Research Farm of the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry in Prayagraj (U.P). The data was recorded on 27 plots using 9 treatments including control having 3 levels of Biochar and Poultry Manure respectively (0%, 50%, 100% /ha). This research trial data was recorded based on mean performances in T9 (B3 P3) @ 100% Biochar + 100% Poultry Manure was showed the highest yield (98.05 q/ha). The combination effect of both soil amendment (Biochar and poultry Manure) shown highest results in plant height (cm), number of leaves, number of pods per plant, pod length(cm), weight of pods per plant (cm). The results showed that mean performances of growth parameters of cowpea are shown highest in 75 DAS was found significant. It can be concluded that from this research it is possible to recommend the treatment (T9) combination of Biochar (5 t/ha) + Poultry Manure (2 t/ha). It shows effective response to soil fertility and increase in plant growth parameters and yield of cowpea.

Citric acid acidification of wheat straw derived biochar for overcoming nutrient deficiency in alkaline calcareous soil (Case of Phosphorus)

Phosphorous fixation in soils is a serious concern worldwide, and biochar is gaining attention daily due to its potential benefits for improving the agronomic benefits of applied phosphorus. The present study aims to enhance understanding of the phosphorus transformation process in a deprived sandy soil following biochar amendments (no-acidified wheat straw biochar and chemically modified (acidification with 0.01 M C6H8O7) along with or without phosphorus at 250 mg kg−1. A 54-day pot experiment was conducted with two biochar levels of 4%, 8% (w/w), and control, and two phosphorus levels (without or with phosphorus). The results indicate that the integration of acidified wheat straw biochar with phosphorus resulted in increased available phosphorus in the soil. We conclude that incorporating acidified wheat straw biochar is a promising practice to potentially improve phosphorus availability in deprived soils. Further research is needed to explore site-specific phosphorus management for sustainable crop production.

Comprehensive application of bio-char and nitrogen fertilizer in dry-land maize cultivation

Drought stress and the scarcity of nitrogen fertilizer are two of the important abiotic factors affecting maize growth. Bio-char can enhance the maize yield. Therefore, two field experiments were carried out in the 2 years (2019–2020) to study the effects of nitrogen fertilizer at three levels and four levels of bio-char on endogenous protective enzymes, dry matter accumulation, and yield of the maize ‘Xianyu 335’ under two different irrigation methods. A split-plot system in three replications was established to conduct the field trials. Two irrigation methods (Regular irrigation and Irregular irrigation) were in the main plots, three nitrogen fertilization levels (0, 150, 300 kg h−1 m2) were in sub-plots, and four bio-char levels (0, 8, 16, 24 t h−1 m−2) were in the sub-sub plots. Each sub-plot consisted of 9 rows with 5 m length and 0.6 m width, and each sub-plot area was 30 m2 in the 2 years. The results indicated that the irrigation methods, the nitrogen, and bio-char supply significantly affected the maize endogenous protective enzymes, dry matter accumulation, and yield in the 2 years. Under the same irrigation method, nitrogen fertilizer and bio-char significantly improved the endogenous protective enzyme activity, dry matter accumulation, and yield of maize compared to the treatment without nitrogen fertilizer and bio-char. The above characteristics improved with increased bio-char supply and nitrogen fertilization at 150 kg h−1 m−2. The treatment of C24N150 recorded the highest values for the parameters of maize endogenous protective enzymes activity, dry matter accumulation, and yield under different irrigation methods during the two harvest seasons.

Levels of Biochar and NPS Fertilizer Rates on Growth, Yield Component, and Yield of Maize (Zea mays L.) at Guto Gida, Western Ethiopia

Mixed application of organic and inorganic fertilizers in mixture improves soil fertility and crop productivity. However, the identification of combined application level is important. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted in 2020 in the Guto Gida district to assess the effect of maize cob biochar levels and inorganic NPS fertilizer rates on the growth and yield of maize. The study was conducted in factorial combinations of five rates of maize cob biochar and three rates of inorganic NPS fertilizer using a randomized complete block design with three replications. The main effect of the biochar level and NPS rate significantly affected crop phenology and biomass yield, whereas the number of kernels ear−1 was affected by the main effect of NPS rate. The combined application of biochar and NPS fertilizer significantly influenced plant height, leaf area index, ear weight, thousand kernel weight, grain yield, and percentage of grain yield. The interaction of biochar at 8 t·ha−1 with 100 kg·ha−1 NPS resulted in highest leaf area index (5.56), grain yield (7.03 t·ha−1), and yield increment (18.11%) followed by 8 t·ha−1 × 50 kg·ha−1 and all biochar levels with 100 kg·ha−1 NPS. In addition, the highest values of ear weight (276 g) and thousand kernel weight (47.81 g) were recorded in plots treated with combined application of biochar and NPS fertilizer at rates of 8 t·ha−1 × 50 kg·ha−1 and 4 t·ha−1 × 100 kg·ha−1, respectively, whereas plots not treated with both biochar and NPS resulted in lowest yield followed by 0 t·ha−1 × 50 kg·ha−1. In conclusion, integrated application of maize cob biochar at 8 t·ha−1 with NPS fertilizer at 50 kg·ha−1 improved the yield of maize by about 16.85% with net benefit of 61700.50 ETB ha−1 and marginal rate of return 733.68%, and therefore, the application of biochar at this rate with mineral NPS fertilizer at 50 kg·ha−1 is considered as suitable for the study area.

The effect of biochar from rice husks on evapotranspiration, vegetative growth and fruit yield of greenhouse tomato cultivar anna F1 grown in two soil types

Biochar made from crop residues has been shown to improve soil texture, soil porosity and soil structure. It can enhance fertilizer utilization, reduce leaching loses and hence improve nitrogen supply for plant growth. Utilization of biochar in preparation of potting substrates can enhance growth and yields of greenhouse tomato. A study was carried out to test the influence of rice husks biochar on substrate properties, growth and yield of greenhouse tomato. The experiment was carried as a factorial in completely randomized design with two factors: four biochar levels and two soil types, replicated three times. The biochar levels were volume ratios of 0 biochar: 1 soil (0Biochar), 0.25 biochar: 0.75 soil (0.25Biochar), 0.5 biochar: 0.5 soil (0.5Biochar) and 0.75 biochar: 0.25 soil (0.75Biochar). The two soil types used were the well drained deep red friable soil and imperfectly drained dark brown clay soil obtained from the University farm. Tomato Anna F1 was grown in four-liter plastic pots containing about 3 kg of soil-biochar mixture. Data were collected on the plant growth parameters of plant height, number of leaves per plant and plant dry weight upto the 8th - 9th week after transplanting, when fruit ripening began. The chlorophyll index of the leaves were measured using the SPAD meter. At harvesting, fresh weight and number of the fruits were determined. Incorporating biochar into potting substrate at 0.25-0.75 levels significantly increased evapotranspiration during early vegetative growth. This was indicative of biochar changing substrate properties mainly through significant reduction of bulk density and possibly increasing porosity. Biochar levels of 0.25-0.75 resulted in significant increases in vegetative growth and fruit yield of tomato. Adding biochar to the pot substrate increased tomato plant height, plant dry weight and fruit fresh weight by 21-34%, 50-64% and 49%-56%, respectively. The increase in vegetative growth and fruit yield at 0.25-0.75 biochar levels was attributed to the positive effect of biochar on substrate physical properties. Plant height and number of leaves per plant had a significant linear relationship whose slope, the rate of increase in plant height with increase in number of leaves was not influenced by biochar levels. Biochar enhanced growth without changing the ratio of plant height to number of leaves of tomato. It is concluded that incorporation of biochar made from rice husks at 0.25 level can enhance greenhouse production in both red and clay soils. Key words: Bulk density, Dry weight, Fresh fruit weight, Number of leaves, Plant height

Influence of Biochar, Rock Phosphate, and Urea Nitrogen Fertilizer on Growth and Yield of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) Grown in Standoff, Southern Alberta Greenhouse

Two trials were performed in greenhouse Standoff, Southern Alberta to investigate urea, rock phosphate, and biochar soil amendment on cucumber crops. The objective of the study was to confirm the effectiveness of rock phosphate and biochar with urea on greenhouse cucumber production. Two experiments were conducted in the Summer of 2020 and 2021 cropping seasons. The treatments applied in 2020 were the varying application of rock phosphate at 0 for control, 50 kg P ha-1 and 100 kg P ha-1 for phosphorus, and urea at 60 kg N ha-1 and 90 kg N ha-1 for nitrogen with their combinations N60 + P50, N90 + P100. In the 2021 cropping season, treatments applied were varying levels of Biochar (C) applied at a rate of 25 kg ha-1 (LC), 50 kg ha-1 (MC), and 100 kg ha-1 HC for Low, Medium, and High level, respectively, Urea (N) was applied at 30 kg N ha-1 and 60 kg N ha-1 (Low N and High N level, respectively) while rock phosphate (P) was applied at 25 kg P ha-1 and 50 kg P ha-1 (Low P and High P level, respectively) with their combinations. The seven treatments for each cropping season were replicated three times resulting in twenty-one experimental pots. The agronomical parameters data collected were subjected to one-way univariate analysis of variance using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at 5% to separate the treatment means. The results of the experiment showed that High P and Low N treated pots influenced the growth of cucumber crop at 122 days after sowing (DAS) while High N, Low N, and Low N + Low P jointly favored the highest number of cucumbers on the vines than other treated pots at 82 DAS during the 2020 cropping season. However, all the treatments supported cucumber vine length except control and High P at 96 DAS while Low P + MC, High P, and High N+ P produced more fruits than control, High N and Low N + P + HC treatments at 96 DAS during the 2021 cropping season. It was observed that the addition of biochar in the 2021 cropping season influenced the growth and yield of cucumber when compared performance of cucumber crops in two growing seasons. This experiment advocates the use of biochar soil amendment in cucumber production.

Fruit quality and marketability of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) as influenced by biochar rates and weeding regime

The field trials were conducted at the growing season of 2020 and 2021 at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. The objective of the study was to evaluate influence of weeding regime on fruit quality and marketability of okra fruit under different rates of biochar. Split-plot arrangement in a randomized complete block design with three replicates was adopted in the trials. Main plot treatments were three levels of biochar at 0 tha−1, 10 tha−1 and 20 tha−1, while sub plots treatments consisted of four weeding regimes. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance and treatment means were separated using least significant difference at p ≤ 0.05. The results showed that application of biochar resulted in wider stem, higher leaf area index and marketable fruit yield than the control. Also, a more intense control of weeds was associated with a higher fruit quality and marketability . Uncontrolled weed infestation for whole season caused 96.3% and 92.2% reduction in okra marketability in 2020 and 2021, respectively.

Lead stabilization in a polluted calcareous soil using cost-effective biochar and zeolite amendments after spinach cultivation

Biochar has been shown to be an effective organic soil amendment for the in situ immobilization of Pb. Little research has been done on the effects of biochar and zeolite interactions on Pb immobilization in contaminated calcareous soils. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different levels of zeolite (2% and 4% w/w) and biochar (3% w/w) prepared from compost and poultry manure on the concentration of Pb in spinach shoots and Pb stabilization in contaminated calcareous soil after spinach cultivation using sequential extraction and release kinetics procedures. The results of this study show that the application of biochars derived from compost and poultry manure significantly decreased the Pb mobility factor (MF) (2.8% to 4.6%) and the release of cumulative diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (DTPA)-extractable Pb (16.8% to 20.1%) in calcareous soil. This benefit was further enhanced by the combined addition of zeolite (MF reduction of 4.4% to 8.4%; cumulative Pb release reduction of 24.8% to 28.6%). The enhancement of soil Pb immobilization is attributed to the properties of the amendments, such as high pH (10.0 to 11.0), ash content (39.0% to 43.5%), and P content (0.25% to 0.43%). The results of the soil Pb sequential extraction and Pb release kinetics were highly and significantly correlated with spinach shoot Pb concentration. Soil chemical data showed that the application of municipal waste biochar with 4% zeolite (MB+Z 2 ) was the most effective treatment for immobilizing Pb (8.4% reduction in MF, 28.6% reduction in cumulative DTPA-extractable Pb), which is in agreement with the results of the spinach shoot Pb concentration (89.0% reduction in uptake).

Study of Supplementation of Various Levels of Biochar on Health and Production Performance of Growing Local Turkey (Meleagris gallopova) Poults

The study determined the hematobiochemical, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme parameters of local day-old male turkey poults (n=24), during two feeding periods, grower phase (6-15 weeks) and finisher phase (16-24 weeks). A commercial (Top® brand) chick mash served as the basal diet, while biochar supplementation levels were 5, 15 and 25g/kg at the start of the grower phase, until slaughter. Poults fed 5 and 15g/kg biochar had higher (P<0.05) final body weight and average daily weight gain when compared with poults fed other treatment diets. White blood cell count was higher (P<0.05) in poults fed 25g/kg biochar diet compared with those of the control group. Poults fed 5 and 15g/kg biochar diets had reduced serum (P<0.05) aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, urea, creatinine, and bilirubin concentrations when compared with those of the control birds, while the lowest concentrations of uric acid were recorded in poults fed 5g/kg biochar diet. Increased (P<0.05) activities of serum catalase and glutathione peroxidase were observed in 15 and 25g/kg biochar groups, coupled with decreased (P<0.05) malondialdehyde values which were comparable (P>0.05) with those of the control group. The results of the present study revealed that 15g/kg biochar can be incorporated in the diet of local turkey poults for improved growth performance and serum-biochemistry and reduced lipid peroxidation. However, improvement in hematology and antioxidant enzyme activity in local turkey poults require 25g/kg biochar supplementation.

Physiological behaviour and nutritional status of coffee (Coffea arabica L. var. Castillo) trees in response to biochar application

AbstractApplying coffee pulp biochar (BC) can be a complementary practice to the application of chemical fertilizers (CF) of crops; however, little evidence of its combined effects on coffee cultivation has been reported. A field trial was carried out during two evaluation years (2019 and 2020) to analyse the effect of the application of different BC doses (0, 4, 8 and 16 t/ha) in combination with four levels of fertilization (0, 33, 66 and 100% of the nutritional requirements) on physiological responses of 3-year-old coffee (Coffea arabica L. var. Castillo) trees. The results indicated that trees with 0 t/ha BC and 0% CF showed the lowest values in all the physiological variables studied (gs = 269.9 and 126.8 mmol/m2/s; Chl = 61.7 and 54.7 At-leaf readings; yield = 0.21 and 0.22 kg of dry parchment coffee (DPC)/tree for 2019 and 2020, respectively). Coffee trees treated with 8 t/ha BC and CF levels of 100% registered the highest results in gs (424.9 and 366.9 mmol/m2/s), Chl (71.1 and 69.8 At-leaf readings), yield (0.41 and 0.57 kg of DPC/tree) in 2019 and 2020, respectively. In conclusion, the application of BC from coffee pulp, especially at a dose of 8 t/ha, generates a positive effect on yield, gs, leaf nutrient concentration and Chl of coffee trees. The use of BC can be an alternative to complement the mineral nutrition of commercial coffee crops to help reduce the application of CF.

Carbon Dioxide Emission, Soil Properties, Intercropping of Cucumber-Tomato and Carrot-Cabbage Crops Performance Affected by Application of Biochar, Urea, and Rock Phosphate

Application of biochar soil amendment is a good practice to store carbon dioxide (CO2) in the soil to mitigate climate change, rock phosphate and urea fertilizer increase soil fertility to enhance food security. This greenhouse experiment aimed to evaluate the effect of biochar, rock phosphate, and urea on cucumber-tomato intercrop and evaluate the carbon dioxide (CO2) emission in the soil grown with cabbage-carrot intercrop. The first experiment was carried out using varying levels of rock phosphate (25, 50 kg ha-1), biochar (25, 50, 100 kg ha-1) and urea (30, 60 kg ha-1) and control with no fertilizer application. The treatment combinations were replicated three times resulting in twenty-one experimental pots. The second experiment involved the application of biochar at different levels of application (25, 50, 100 kg ha-1) and control with no fertilizer application, all the pots across the experiment received an equal application of urea at a rate of 30 kg ha-1 and rock phosphate at a rate of 25 kg ha-1 replicated three times resulting in 12 experimental pots for cabbage-carrot intercrop while 15 pots with an extra biochar application of 120 kg ha-1 for cabbage only. Results showed that High nitrogen plus High phosphorus (N + P) including Low phosphorus plus Medium biochar (Low P + MC), Low nitrogen plus Low phosphorus plus High biochar (Low N + Low P + HC), and Low nitrogen plus Low biochar (Low N + Low C) supported the height of cucumber while Low nitrogen plus Low biochar (Low N + Low C) and High nitrogen (High N) positively influenced height of tomato. There was no significant difference in the number of cucumber fruits produced since the control and high N treatments significantly got the same number of cucumber fruit. In contrast, Low nitrogen plus Low biochar (Low N + LC) treated to tomato crop got the highest number of tomato fruits. In the second experiment, the Highest biochar including High biochar and Low C (Low biochar), favoured cabbage’s height while no significant effort in the treatments to support carrot height. It was estimated that the High C treatment gave the highest carbon dioxide emission while the Highest C treatment stored carbon dioxide in the soil.

Influence of mycorrhizal fungi and biochar on nitrogen use efficiency correlated with yield and yield components of wheat

Mycorrhizal symbiosis increases mineral nutrient uptake, especially when nitrogen applies to the fields together with biochar. To evaluate the influence of the biochar application and different levels of nitrogen on nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), yield and yield components of wheat associated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) A factorial experiment with in randomized complete block design with four replications was implemented for two years (2016-2018). The experimental factors included nitrogen at four levels (urea source with 46% nitrogen) 0, 50, 100 and 150 kg N/ha, Rhizophagus Irregularis inoculum at two levels (without and with application), and biochar at three levels 0, 4 and 8 ton/ha. The results demonstrated that plant inoculated with mycorrhiza inoculum combined with 4 ton/ha of biochar showed a significant increase in, root colonization (8%). The application of will be This study proves that application of 100 kg N/ha with an amount of 4 ton/ha of biochar and AMF inoculationhas a useful and effective role in the enhancement of growth and yieldof wheat.

Effects of Plastic Film Mulching and Biochar Application on N2O Emission from a Vegetable Field

The aim of this research was to examine the effects of biochar addition (B0:0 t·hm-2, B20:20 t·hm-2, and B40:40 t·hm-2) and mulching (FM:film and NM:no film) on vegetables. The impact of N2O emissions in the field was based on the pepper-radish rotation vegetable field system on the farm of Southwest University, using static dark box/gas chromatography to conduct in-situ observations in the field for one year. In this experiment, a total of six treatments were set up, namely NMB0 (CK) and FMB0, NMB20 and FMB20, and NMB40 and FMB40. The results showed that FM significantly increased the content of ammonium and nitrate nitrogen in the pepper season soil (P<0.05) but had no significant effect on soil environmental factors in the radish season. Compared with that of NM, the pepper season FM increased the N2O emissions of the B0, B20, and B40 treatments by 52.87%, 52.97%, and 52.49% (P<0.05), respectively, but the radish season FM had no significant effect on N2O emissions. Biochar had no significant effect on soil environmental factors in the pepper and radish seasons. The addition of biochar in the radish season reduced N2O emissions by 28.76%-67.88% (P<0.01), and the addition of biochar in the pepper season had no significant effect on N2O emissions. Compared with that of NM, under different biochar levels, FM increased the yield of pepper by 15.85%-161.32% and increased the yield of radish by 43.97%-75.80%. Biochar significantly increased the yield of peppers and had no significant effect on the yield of radishes. Regardless of whether the film was covered or not, when the amount of biochar added was 20 t·hm-2, the yields of pepper and radish were the highest. The analysis of N2O emission intensity revealed that FM in the pepper season significantly reduced N2O emission intensity, whereas in the radish season FM and biochar significantly reduced N2O emission intensity, and both planting seasons reached the lowest N2O emission intensity under the FMB20 treatment. Therefore, mulching and applying 20 t·hm-2 biochar were the best farmland management measures for the pepper season and radish season, which could achieve high yields and the lowest N2O emissions, accomplishing a win-win for economic and environmental benefits.

Determining the appropriate level of farmyard manure biochar application in saline soils for three selected farm tree species.

Salinity is a global problem, and almost more than 20% of the total cultivated area of the world is affected by salt stress. Phytoremediation is one of the most suitable practices to combat salinity and recently biochar has showed the tremendous potential to alleviate salt-affected soils and enhance vegetation. Trees improve the soil characteristics by facilitating the leaching of salts and releasing organic acids in soil. Moreover, in the presence of trees, higher transpiration rates and lower evaporation rates are also helpful in ameliorating salt affected soils. This study was designed to check the effect of different levels of biochar on the morph-physiological characteristics of three important agroforestry tree species: Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Vachellia nilotica, and Dalbergia sissoo, in saline soils. Farmyard manure biochar was applied at the rate of 3% (w/w), 6% (w/w), and 9% (w/w) to find appropriate levels of biochar for promoting the early-stage trees growth under saline conditions. Results of the current study revealed that maximum shoot length (104.77 cm), shoot dry weight (23.72 g), leaves dry weight (28.23 g), plant diameter (12.32 mm), root length (20.89 cm), root dry weight (18.90 g), photosynthetic rate (25.33 μ moles CO2 m-2s-1) and stomatal conductance (0.12 mol H2O m-2 s-1) were discovered in the plants of Eucalyptus camaldulensis at the rate of 6% (w/w). All tree species showed better results for growth and physiological characteristics when biochar was applied at the rate of 6% (w/w). In comparison, a decreasing trend in growth parameters was found in the excessive amount of biochar when the application rate was increased from 6% (w/w) to 9% (w/w) for all three species. So, applying an appropriate level of biochar is important for boosting plant growth in saline soils. Among different tree species, Vachellia nilotica and Eucalyptus camaldulensis both showed very promising results to remediate salt affected soils with Vachellia nilotica showing maximum potential to absorb sodium ions.

Effects of Biochar With Inorganic and Organic Fertilizers on Agronomic Traits and Nutrient Absorption of Soybean and Fertility and Microbes in Purple Soil.

Biochar is a kind of organic matter that can be added into the soil as a soil amendment to improve its quality. What are the effects of using biochar on purple soil and soybeans? Can the use of biochar reduce the use of fertilizers? This is our concern. Therefore, we carried out this study. The objectives of our study were to evaluate the effects of biochar, inorganic and organic fertilizer application on plant growth, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic gas exchange, and yield of soybean as well as fertility and microbial community in purple soil, and to appraise the possible reduction rate of inorganic fertilizer under the biochar application. A pot experiment was conducted with three levels of biochar, two levels of inorganic fertilizer, and two levels of organic fertilizer in a randomized complete block. The results indicated that the low rate of biochar together with half rate of inorganic fertilizer and organic fertilizer increased the plant growth of soybean. Meanwhile, the chlorophyll content, root growth, and yield of soybean were increased by 16.61, 197.73, and 96.7%, respectively, with biochar compared with no biochar. The high rate of biochar with half rate of inorganic fertilizer and organic fertilizer can promote the exchange of photosynthetic gas in soybean, and the photosynthetic rate increased by 45.25% compared with the blank control. At the full pod stage, the nitrogen content, phosphorus content, and potassium content of the whole plant under the high rate of biochar were 28.35, 13.65, and 28.78%, respectively, higher than that of the blank control. The application of biochar increased nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium uptake of soybean. The high rate of biochar with half rate of inorganic fertilizer and organic fertilizer can improve soil nutrient content and soil microbial community. Compared with no biochar treatments, total organic carbon (TOC) increased by 740.28%, and cation exchange capacity (CEC) increased by 54.17%. Phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) increased by 65.22%, and all kinds of soil microorganisms increased to varying degrees. In conclusion, the application of biochar can reduce the use of organic and inorganic fertilizers, improve the agronomic traits and yield of soybean, and play a positive role in soil nutrients and soil microorganisms.

Biochar Addition Alters C: N: P Stoichiometry in Moss Crust-Soil Continuum in Gurbantünggüt Desert.

The biogeochemical cycling of soil elements in ecosystems has changed under global changes, including nutrients essential for plant growth. The application of biochar can improve the utilization of soil nutrients by plants and change the stoichiometry of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) in plants and soil. However, the response of ecological stoichiometry in a moss crust-soil continuum to local plant biochar addition in a desert ecosystem has not been comprehensively explored. Here, we conducted a four-level Seriphidium terrae-albae biochar addition experiment (CK, 0 t ha−1; T1, 3.185 t ha−1; T2, 6.37 t ha−1; T3, 12.74 t ha−1) to elucidate the influence of biochar input on C: N: P stoichiometry in moss crusts (surface) and their underlying soil (subsurface). The results showed that biochar addition significantly affected the C, N, and P both of moss crusts and their underlying soil (p < 0.001). Biochar addition increased soil C, N, and P concentrations, and the soil N content showed a monthly trend in T3. The C, N, and P concentrations of moss crusts increased with the addition levels of biochar, and the moss crust P concentrations showed an overall increasing trend by the month. Moreover, the soil and moss crust C: P and N: P ratios both increased. There was a significant correlation between moss crust C, N, and P and soil C and N. Additionally, nitrate nitrogen (NO3−N), N: P, C: P, EC, pH, soil moisture content (SMC), and N have significant effects on the C, N, and P of moss crusts in turn. This study revealed the contribution of biochar to the nutrient cycle of desert system plants and their underlying soil from the perspective of stoichiometric characteristics, which is a supplement to the theory of plant soil nutrition in desert ecosystems.

Biochar effects on soil properties, water movement and irrigation water use efficiency of cultivated land in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Biochar, has recently, been widely used as a potential soil additive to improve the quality of cultivated land. However, the effect of biochar on irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) remains unclear in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the effects of biochar on the soil properties, water infiltration, and irrigation water efficiency of QTP cultivated land. A column experiment with four biochar application levels (0, 3, 6, and 9 kg·m−2 denoted CK, BC1, BC2, and BC3, respectively) was conducted to explore the biochar effect on the soil water infiltration process. The soil bulk density (γ), saturated water content (θs), soil water retention curve (SWRC), specific water capacity C(h), and saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) were measured after the trial. The effects of biochar application level, biochar application depth, irrigation water depth, and initial soil moisture on water loss and IWUE were then simulated by HYDRUS-2D. The results showed that biochar slowed the process of soil water infiltration by changing the soil physical properties and hydraulic properties, reducing the water loss by 5%–15.02%, effectively alleviating the waste of irrigation water, and therefore increasing IWUE by 2%–9.43%. Water loss and IWUE were significantly associated with the biochar application depth and level. Additionally, a biochar level of 6 kg·m−2 showed the best effect for ameliorating the QTP's cultivated soil. These results provide a novel approach for reducing water loss and enhancing the irrigation water use efficiency of QTP cultivated soil.

Microbial Enriched Biochar Levels and Fertilizer Doses on Soil Chemical Properties under Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) Production

Intensive cultivation of vegetables and imbalanced fertilization depleted the soil nutrients and caused low yield with poor quality crops. A novel microbial enriched biochar and fertilizer combination could alleviate the soil and nutrient stress. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted with 14 treatments [4 levels of biochar (5, 7.5,10, 15 t ha-1), 3 doses of fertilizers (50, 75,100% of recommended) along with without biochar and absolute control] in spinach production. This study was conducted with randomized block designed and replicated three times in trial plot at BAIF, Central Research Station, Pune during 2020-2021. Maximum growth parameters (plant height, leaf length, leaf width and petiole length) were recorded in (T4) with Biochar @ 10 tha-1 + 75% of RDF followed by in (T7) Biochar @ 7.5 tha-1 +50% of RDF. Whereas, the highest Spinach yield (18.58 tha-1) was recorded under (T4) Biochar @ 10 tha-1 + 75 % of RDF followed by (T3) Biochar @ 7.5 tha-1 + 75 % of RDF recorded (17.93 tha-1). The treatment (T1) @ 100 % RDF has registered as superior from an economic point of view. Furthermore, the minimum values of growth and yield were recorded under absolute control. Based on the above results it is concluded that the combined application of microbial enriched biochar(10t ha-1) and fertilizers (75% of recommended dose) enhanced the nutrient availability to spinach for maximum growth and yield.

How Biochar Affects Nitrogen Assimilation and Dynamics by Interacting Soil and Plant Enzymatic Activities: Quantitative Assessment of 2 Years Potted Study in a Rapeseed-Soil System.

The amendment of biochar has been proposed to improve soil fertility and crop yield. However, consolidated information lacks explaining the role of biochar on soil and plant enzymatic activities involved in nutrients cycling in soil and accumulation in plants improving utilization of applied inorganic fertilizer and crop growth. In the current study, we evaluated the integral effects of biochar levels (B0:0, B15:15, B3:30, and B60:60 t ha–1) and nitrogen fertilizer levels (N0:0, N75:75, N225:225, and N450:450 kg ha–1) on soil physicochemical properties, enzymatic activities, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and grain yield of rapeseed for 2 years in the pots during 2020 and 2021. The findings revealed that compared to control (B0 + N0), a combination of B30 + N450 increased soil urease activity by 73 and 75%, and B60 + N450 increased activities of soil catalase by 17 and 16%, and B60 + N225 increased alkaline phosphatase by 17 and 19%, respectively, in the first and second year. Moreover, a single application of high nitrogen at 450 kg ha–1 reduced the activities of plant nitrogen metabolism-related enzymes, however; the integration of biochar at 30 t ha–1 compensated the high nitrogen toxicity and improved the activities of nitrate reductase (NR), nitrite reductase NIR, glutamate synthase (GS) and glutamine synthetase (GOGAT) at seedling stage (SS) and flowering stage (FS) in both years. The integration of biochar at 30 t ha–1 with nitrogen at 450 kg ha–1 induced synergetic effects on rapeseed growth through sorption of excessive nitrogen in soil and significantly improved the plant height up to 11 and 18%, pods plant–1 39 and 32% and grain yield plant–1 54 and 64%, respectively, during the first and second year. Moreover, biochar at 15 t ha–1 along with nitrogen at 225 kg ha–1 resulted in the highest NUE of 29% in both years suggesting that biochar can also offset the deficiency of lower nitrogen. This study highlighted the ameliorative effect of biochar suppressing high nitrogen toxicity and decreasing lower nitrogen deficiency effects on rapeseed growth by improving nitrogen use efficiency via enhancing soil conditions, enzymatic activities and soil nitrogen utilization potential and thus improving rapeseed growth and yield.

Carryover Effect of Biochar and Cow Dung Manure on the Productivity of Green Gram (Vigna radiata L.) in Typic haplustalf

Background: In cereals based legume cropping system more importance and intensification are given to first crop (cereals) as compared to succeeding crops. Hence, succeeding crops yield got reduced due to grown in low fertile soils. Productivity of green gram have declined or stagnated in recent years though we grew high yield varieties, due to grown in marginal lands with low nutrient and moisture. Biochar is organic substance that highly persists in soils with very little biological decomposition and helps to store nutrients and moisture for succeeding crop. The present investigation was felt necessary to get utilize the residual soil nutrients and moisture from the preceding biochar applied upland rice field for sustainable yield of green gram crop. Methods: The present investigation was conducted during kharif season 2018. The study was conducted in randomized black design with sixteen treatments consisting of four levels of coconut shell biochar (CSB) at 2, 4, 6 and 8 t ha-1 and two levels of cow dung manure (CDM) at 5 and 10 t ha-1 with applied alone and in combinations with three replications (applied for previous upland rice crop). The recommended dose of NPK fertilizer (20:50:50 kg ha-1) for green gram was common except absolute control. Result: The study results indicated that, residual effect of previously applied biochar and cow dung manure had a significant effect on succeeding green gram crop productivity in acid sandy loam soils due to its liming effect on improving soil properties and nutrient availability. Especially, combination of coconut shell biochar (CSB at 8 t ha-1) and cow dung manure (CDM at 10 t ha-1) with recommended NPK fertilizers.