Effects Of Biochar Application Research Articles

Mineralization of Organic Nitrogen in Soils with Contrasting Fertility Was Regulated Differently by Addition of Biochar and Animal Manures

ABSTRACT How to restore the soil fertility and productivity in a damaged and then reclaimed area with extremely low fertility is a big concern worldwide. To explore the method of soil restoration in the coal mining subsidence area, the effects of biochar application coupled with organic fertilizer (animal manures) on the process of organic nitrogen (N) mineralization were studied in a 149 days leaching experiment. Biochar were applied (wt/wt) at the rates of 0%, 1%, and 3%. Two organic fertilizers with different C/N ratio (chicken and sheep manures) were applied at the rate of 200 mg N·kg−1 soil. A vegetable soil with high-fertility was used as the comparison. The results showed that when treated with chicken manure, the reclaimed soil had 11.13% lower mineralization potential and 20.00% lower inorganic nitrogen production from mineralization than the vegetable soil. Compared with the non-biochar treatment, biochar at both application rates decreased N leaching in chicken manure-treated reclaimed soil, i.e., by 21.49% (1% biochar) and 28.31% (3% biochar), respectively, whereas only high rate of biochar application decreased N leaching in chicken manure-treated vegetable soil by 8.10%. However, N leaching in sheep manure-treated reclaimed soil was unaffected by the biochar application. Thus, the effect of the biochar on the organic nitrogen mineralization was affected by both soil and organic fertilizer type.

Short-term influence of biochar on soil temperature, liquid moisture content and soybean growth in a seasonal frozen soil area

In the past decade, the application of biochar in agricultural soils has attracted wide attention. However, few studies have carefully explored the effects of biochar modification on plant leaf nutrients and the physiological process of plant leaves. To provide a better growing environment for crops and explore the best regulation mode of biochar in the farmland soil environment in the typical black loam area of Heilongjiang Province, through field experiments, we selected soybeans as the test crop and applied biochar in the soil. The agronomic characteristics and soil conditions of soybean plants were monitored by stage. The effects of different application methods and biochar gradients on the water and heat changes in soil tillage layers during different growth stages of crops were discussed, and the subtle differences of agronomic characteristics in different growth stages of crops were compared. The results showed that all kinds of biochar application modes could not change the general trend of water and heat change in soil tillage layer affected by environmental factors, and the effect of biochar application on soil liquid moisture content at 20 cm soil layer was not obvious. Biochar application can increase plant height and reduce stem diameter, but the effect is non-linear. The leaf nitrogen content (Leaf N-content) and leaf chlorophyll relative content (SPAD) were vertically distributed in the canopy, but they did not change significantly with the change of biochar application rate and mode. The application of biochar in autumn may bring crops into maturity earlier. Under the biochar application rate of 9 kg m−2, the mixed application in spring and autumn can bring the best biochar application effect.

Effects of biochar application at different rates on chili growth

Biochar is a solid carbonaceous residue from biomass pyrolysis under anaerobic conditions. It has been well-known that biochar enhances plant growth and improve soil quality as the soil amendment. However, for chili (Capsicum annuum L), it is unknown whether biochar addition has any effect on its productivity. Thus, we studied the effects of different dosages of biochar addition at rates of 1.5% and 3% (w/w,1.5%BC and 3%BC) on the germination and growth of chili using a pot experiment. The results show that the 3%BC increased the weight of fresh shoots and roots by 17.4% and 14.6%, respectively. However, the addition of biochar has no pronounced effect on the chili yield. Therefore, it is very important to choose the appropriate biochar and addition proportion for its application in agricultural soils.

Effect of biochar application at different adding rates on garlic (Allium sativum) growth and production

Biochar is a solid and carbon-rich product obtained from the thermal treatment of biomass, which have been widely used in agricultural production and environmental remediation. However, it is unknown whether biochar addition have positive effect on the growth and production of garlic (Allium sativum), an important edible vegetable in China. Thus, we investigated the effects of a wood wastes derived biochar addition at rates of 1.5% and 3% (w/w, 1.5%BC and 3%BC) on the germination, growth, and production of garlic using a pot experiment. The results showed that 1.5%BC significantly increased the weight of fresh roots by 29%, indicating that the 1.5%BC promoted the garlic production. However, the higher dosage treatment (3%BC) slightly inhibited the seedling growth, and decreased the garlic production. Our findings provide useful information for developing biochar-based technology to improve garlic production.

Effect of Biochar Application on the Growth of Cassava and Maize, Maize Yield and Soil Erosion in Cassava+Maize Intercropping System

Effect of Biochar Application on the Growth of Cassava and Maize, Maize Yield and Soil Erosion in Cassava+Maize Intercropping System

Impact of soil incorporation of biochar on environmental radioactivity.

Biochar (charcoal made from biomass in the pyrolysis process) has found broad application in agriculture. It helps to improve both the physical and chemical properties of soil through decontamination of heavy metals and pesticides. This work examines the potential for biochar application to improve the radiological condition of soil. We investigated the activity concentration of natural and anthropogenic radionuclides in soil samples collected from fields treated with various doses of biochar (in1-100 Mg ha-1 ). In addition, we directly measured radon emission rate at the experimental fields. The analyses were performed using gamma spectrometry and an active method for radon emission using an AlphaGUARD instrument equipped with an accumulation box. The results of activity concentration assessments for six radionuclides, five natural and one anthropogenic, show that the only effect of biochar application into the soil is associated with the reduction of soil bulk density by this material. The radon emission rate increased by 6 mBq m-1 s-1 , on average, depending on the biochar dose (from 1 to 100 Mg ha-1 ). Our results demonstrate that application of biochar into soil kept without vegetation had a limited influence on the radioactivity in the environment.

Surface soil mixing is more beneficial than the plough layer mixing mode of biochar application for nitrogen retention in a paddy system

The benefits of biochar as a soil amendment have been investigated extensively, but few studies have considered the effects of different application modes on nitrogen (N) dynamics. In the present study, a pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of two different biochar application modes [plough layer mixing (PLM) and surface soil mixing (SSM)] on the N dynamics in a paddy system. It was found that biochar application significantly reduced the total N (TN), NH4+-N, and NO3−-N contents of the paddy surface water after fertilization, and that the SSM mode of application was more effective in doing this, particularly for NH4+-N, reducing TN by 11–76%, NH4+-N by 31–77%, and NO3−-N by 31–60% compared with the control at 7 days after fertilizer dressing. By contrast, the effect of biochar application on soil N varied with biochar application mode, N form, and rice growth period. In general, there was no significant effect of biochar type on soil N content, with both types of biochar resulting in a higher TN content of the soil after the tiller stage compared with the control. In addition, the SSM mode of application led to a higher TN content but lower NH4+-N content of the soil than the PLM mode, while the two application modes had varying effects on the NO3−-N content depending on the growing period of the rice. The rice grain yield increased by 25–36% with the SSM application mode and 11–14% with the PLM mode. These findings indicate that the SSM mode of biochar application in paddy soils is a more promising strategy for both reducing the risk of N loss and improving rice yield than PLM mode.

Effects of Biochar Input on Changes of Available Nutrient Elements in Riparian Soils with Different Landuse Types

Biochar, as a new environmentally friendly material, has been used to improve soil quality and for pollution remediation. Biochar input has a significant impact on available nutrients in the soil. Based on the different land use types (forestland, grassland, cultivated land, and barren land) in the riparian zone of Taihu Lake, the effects of biochar application on the available content of nutrients in different land use types of soil were compared, and the dynamics of nutrient change was also discussed. Results show that the addition of biochar can significantly affect the available nutrient content in riparian soil, however the influential degrees for carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus were different. After the input of biochar, dissolved organic carbon in riparian soils showed a clear downward trend, while the available nitrogen increased slightly, and the available phosphorus increased significantly. For woodland, grassland, arable land and wasteland soils, the contents of dissolved organic carbon decreased by 33.3%, 27.4%, 29.5%, and 51.4%, while the contents of available nitrogen increased by 10.8%, 18.2%, 16.4%, and 15.2%, and the contents of available phosphorus increased by 40.0%, 50.2%, 34.0%, and 43.6%, respectively. Compared with the concentrations between the control group soil (CK) and the biochar additive group soil (BC), the concentrations of dissolved organic carbon and available phosphorus exhibited large differences between the two groups regarding available nitrogen concentrations. Among the four types of riparian soils, the effects of biochar on the availability of different nutrients were different.

Biochar application increased methane emission, soil carbon storage and net ecosystem carbon budget in a 2-year vegetable–rice rotation

The effect of biochar application on the net ecosystem carbon budget (NECB) and the mechanism controlling methane (CH4) emission in paddy soils under vegetable–rice rotations are poorly understood. A 2-year field experiment was conducted with three treatments: control (no fertilizer or biochar application), chemical fertilizer (BC0) and biochar plus chemical fertilizer application (BC1) to analyze greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes, soil organic carbon (SOC) content, as well as the abundance and community structure of methanogens and methanotrophs in a vegetable–rice rotation. Biochar addition (BC1) did not affect the yield, or the emission of total CH4 or nitrous oxide (N2O) but significantly increased carbon dioxide (CO2) emission as compared to BC0 in the vegetable season. Rice yield in BC1 was 14.1 % higher than in the control but was lower than in BC0 because of lower available nutrients in BC1 than in BC0. During the rice season, cumulative CH4 emission under BC1 was increased by 2.65 times as compared with BC0 (P < 0.01), in association with an increase in methanogenic and decrease in methanotrophic gene abundances. The cumulative CO2 emission was not different between BC0 and BC1 while cumulative and yield-scaled N2O emissions were significantly higher in BC1 than in BC0 in the rice season. However, BC1 increased SOC and NECB, but decreased the ratio of carbon (C) emission to C sequestration, net global warming potential (NGWP) and greenhouse gas emission intensity (NGHGI) as compared to the BC0 and control treatments (P < 0.01). The increase in GHG emissions in the biochar-amended soil was compensated by the increase in soil C storage and C uptake by rice, based on NGWP and NGHGI. The increase in NECB and SOC in the BC1 treatment indicates the benefit of biochar in restoring SOC during the rice season. This study provides insights into the effects of biochar addition on changes in bacterial abundance and community structure which increased CH4 emission in the rice season of a vegetable–paddy rotation.

Effects of Biochar Application in a Sorghum Crop under Greenhouse Conditions: Growth Parameters and Physicochemical Fertility

Application of biochar from vine shoots (Vitis vinifera L.) as an organic amendment in the soil is an alternative agricultural management of interest. The behavior of this type of amendment in the soil requires more information to adjust the pyrolysis conditions in order to obtain a high-quality biochar. The aim of this work is determining the influence of the application of this type of biochar on the soil-plant system. For this purpose, an agronomic test was performed in greenhouse pots. A randomized tri-factorial block design was adopted with the following factors: final pyrolysis temperature (400 and 600 °C), application rate (0 wt. % as a control, 1.5 and 3 wt. %) and texture of the growing media (sandy-loam and clay-loam origin). The selected crop was sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench), the development and production of which was evaluated during two complete growing cycles under greenhouse conditions. Application of biochar produced at 400 °C significantly increased plants roots dry weight in the sandy-loam growing substrate (52% compared to the control). Grain production was also significantly affected by biochar application, showing better results after addition of biochar produced at 400 °C. Water holding capacity and K, Ca, and Mg contents were enhanced by biochar addition, with evident effects of the application ratios for some of these variables. The effect on the pH of substrates in the sandy-loam texture was weak; however, a significant decrease was observed after the addition of biochar produced at 600 °C.

Effect of Biochar Application on Physicochemical and Hydraulic Properties of Loess

Biochar is important for optimizing soil physical structure and improving soil water retention. The saturated water capacity test, water repellency test, and permeability coefficient test were used to study the effects of biochar additive amount (0, 2, 5, 10, 15, and 20 g/kg) and particle size (&gt;2 mm, 2 mm–0.075 mm, and &lt;0.075 mm) on the basic physicochemical and hydraulic properties of loess. The results showed that with the increase of biochar additive content, the relative particle density decreased linearly (R2 = 0.984); the plastic limit, liquid limit, and plasticity index increased (R2 = 0.947, 0.991, and 0.984, respectively); the maximum dry density decreased (R2 = 0.900); and the optimal water content and saturated water content increased gradually. At the same time, the soil’s pH increased (R2 = 0.957), the soil water repellency decreased, and the water infiltration became easier, but the soil’s permeability coefficient (saturated water conductivity) decreased. When the the biochar particles size is smaller, the soil’s water repellency and permeability coefficient reduced. Studies had shown that the application of biochar makes the loess infiltrate easily, seepage slowly, and contain more water, which improve the water infiltration characteristics and water retention capacity of loess.

Effect of biochar application on quality of flooded sandy soils and corn growth under greenhouse conditions

AbstractSeasonal flooding following heavy rain deposits large amounts of sediments on productive lands in the lower parts of fields in western Tennessee. The deposited sediments have high proportion of sand particles that negatively affect soil physiochemical properties, which make the soil uneconomic for farming. Soil amendments such as biochar, a by‐product of renewable energy production from organic waste materials, have the potential to remediate sandy soil left after flood events and improve crop yields by increasing water holding capacity and soil nutrient content. The objective of this project was to evaluate the effect of biochar produced from two types of hardwood feedstocks on water retention and corn (Zea mays L.) growth in sandy soil. A greenhouse experiment quantifying the growth of corn was conducted in a randomized complete block design with five replications. Sandy soil was amended with three biochar rates (0, 10, and 20% by volume) under two irrigation levels. The irrigation levels were control and a dry treatment based on the past 10 yr of rainfall data. Biochar application greatly improved water retention in the flooded sandy soil. Biochar increased soil K and P concentration. However, at the end of the study, corn growth was not different in biochar amended and non‐amended sandy soil. This research demonstrated that biochar as a soil amendment has the potential to improve quality attributes of poor soil, such as the soil water and nutrient concentration in a previously flooded sandy soils.

The Effects of Silicon Content in Rice Husk Biochar of Southern Taiwan on the Germination of Corn Seeds ( Zea mays L.)

To our knowledge, not many investigations about this topic were done in Southern Taiwan where the potential of rice residues from agriculture fields is abundant. Our purpose for those rice residues is to transform them into biochar. Our experiment was conducted in Southern Taiwan, where we studied the characteristics of biochar made from rice husks, applying different types of combustion and temperatures as well their effects on corn ( Zea mays L.) seed germination. The experimental trial was composed of seven (7) different treatments including the application of rice husk, rice husk biochar, chemical fertilizer, and soil. The biochar treatments used a mixture of 50% biochar and 50% soil to balance the quantities of rice husk biochar that could be incorporated into clayey soils. The effect of biochar application on corn growth was evaluated. Results showed that silicon content in rice husk biochar can inhibit seed germination linearly. Silicon in this study was found to be harmful significantly to corn seed germination when Si content in rice husk biochar was higher than 25 to 30 wt% indicating that increased levels of silicic acid and quantities of the amendment above 8-10 ton per hectare reduce the germination rate.

生物质炭对水稻土团聚体微生物多样性的影响

生物质炭对水稻土团聚体微生物多样性的影响

Evaluation of biochar applications combined with alternate wetting and drying (AWD) water management in rice field as a methane mitigation option for farmers’ adoption

ABSTRACT Biochar application and alternate wetting and drying (AWD) are emerging as promising technologies recommended for reducing CH4 emissions and water consumption in rice cultivation. In this study, we hypothesized that both technologies could be practiced in combination and this could further reduce CH4 emissions and water consumption when compared to practicing alone. The effects of biochar application and its co-application with chemical fertilizer or compost under conventional or AWD water management on CH4 emissions, productivity of rice, water use, and SOC stock, as well as cost and income were investigated. The experiment was carried out in an irrigated paddy field in the central plain of Thailand during both in the wet and dry seasons. Relative to control (CT), biochar application (BI), its co-application with compost (BC) or chemical fertilizer (BF) reduced seasonal CH4 emissions by 40.6%, 29.5%, and 12.3%, respectively. BI and BC significantly (p < 0.05) reduced grain yield by 19.9% and 10.8%, respectively, while BF significantly increased grain yield by 3.70%. In addition, BI, BC, and BF significantly enhanced soil organic carbon (SOC) stock by 21.2%, 21.4%, and 18.3%, respectively. Compared to the CT, higher production costs were found in BC and BF, but the farmer’s net incomes were also higher in BF because of its higher grain yield. On the other hand, water management in all amendment treatments under AWD was resulted in the reduction of CH4 emissions by the average of 18.8% as compared to the conventional system. AWD decreased rice yield by an average of 2.29%. It significantly reduced irrigation water use by an average of 11.9%, resulting in reducing production cost for water pumping. The results show that the practice that combined biochar application, AWD and chemical fertilizer are feasible for CH4 emission mitigation, SOC stock increase and irrigation water saving without significant effects on yield and farmer income.

Effect of biochar application on barley plants grown on calcareous sandy soils irrigated by saline water

In sustainable agriculture, protect the ecosystem by reducing chemical fertilizers are the main goal. Applying biochar to soils is a method to increase the available nutrients, improve soil physio-chemical characteristics and enhance plant growth. The current experiment assess, the influences of biochar (BC) on barely growth under saline conditions. Barely plants grown on a calcareous sandy soil were amended with BC at a rate of 0 (CK), 1 (BC1) and 3% (BC3) of soil weight and irrigated by saline water ( EC=13.8 dS m−1). The results showed that BC treatments realized significant effects on soil salinity, pH, soil organic matter (SOM), and plant nutrients. The diverse dosages of biochar of BC1 and BC3 could enhance SOM by 42.4 and 55.2% and the dry biomass was ameliorate by 4.7 and 15.4 %, respectively compared to the control. The biochar additions to soil increase the agronomic parameters preformance of nutrients utilization by barley plants. The results confirmed that the added biochar could augment the barley production, and improve the soil characteristics under saline conditions as well as its contribution for agriculture sustainability.

Biochar applied to consolidated land increased the quality of an acid surface soil and tobacco crop in Southern China

Soil needs to be ameliorated after land consolidation because this process might decrease soil fertility, soil physical properties, and the growth of microbes, and the application of biochar is one of the soil amelioration methods. However, up to date, no relevant study has been conducted by any field experiment. The objective of this study was to investigate the biochar effect on soil improvement and crop quality. A field experiment with 5 corn stover biochar application rates (0, 1, 5, 10, 20 Mg ha−1) was conducted in an acid soil (Kandiudult soil in US taxonomy) with flue-cured tobacco as representative crop. The results showed that in comparison with 0 Mg ha−1 biochar treatment, the application of biochar decreased the soil bulk density by 13.22%, increased the > 2-mm water-stable soil aggregates by 27.38%, and the 0.25 to 2.00-mm soil aggregates by 45.57% at most. The soil pH, organic carbon, labile organic carbon, and exchangeable Ca and Mg contents increased with increasing biochar application rate. The application of biochar was also beneficial for soil microbial activities. For example, the abundance of actinomyces increased with the biochar application rate, and the maximum increase of 342.28% was recorded at the biochar application rate of 20 Mg ha−1. The application of biochar decreased the total sugar and reducing sugar contents and increased the leaf K content, thus greatly improving the leaf quality of flue-cured tobacco. Biochar applied to consolidated acid soil can play a positive role in flue-cured tobacco production and soil amelioration with regard to soil physical properties and soil nutrient supply capacity. On consolidated land, this is the first study about the effect of biochar application on quality of acid soil and crop, which strengthens the understanding about the role of biochar in soil improvement on consolidated land.

Effect of Biochar Application on Heavy Metal Mobility in Soils Impacted by Copper Smelting Processes

Effect of Biochar Application on Heavy Metal Mobility in Soils Impacted by Copper Smelting Processes

Effects of biochar application on soil organic carbon mineralization during drying and rewetting cycles

Intense droughts and extreme precipitation events are likely to occur more frequently with global climate change. These drying-rewetting (DW) cycles affect the soil carbon (C) cycle. Biochar addition are reported to affect SOC mineralization and soil organic carbon (SOC) storage. However, the effects of biochar application on SOC mineralization during DW cycles are poorly understood. Two wheat straw (WS25) biochar produced at 300 °C (WS300) and 600 °C (WS600) were used to explore the effects of biochar on SOC mineralization under artificial DW cycles as compared to constant moisture (CM). It was found that biochar had different effects on SOC mineralization depending on biochar type or drying/rewetting period of DW cycles. Just like CK and WS25, WS600 application decreased SOC mineralization under DW cycles compared to CM. To some extent, SOC mineralization during DW cycles was similar to CM for WS300. The results suggested that WS300 addition diminished the reducing effect of DW cycle on SOC mineralization. In addition, biochar exhibited different effects on SOC mineralization depending on the drying and rewetting period under DW cycles. Biochar (WS300) addition during the drying period had less effect on SOC mineralization but increased the flush effect of SOC mineralization during the rewetting period. In conclusions, biochar application significantly affect SOC mineralization following DW cycles.

Penggunaan Biochar dan Tinggi Muka Air pada Umur Satu Bulan setelah Tanam terhadap Pertumbuhan dan Hasil Tanaman Bawang Merah

Susilawati S, Irmawati I, Sukarmi S, Kurnianingsih A, Mutia A. 2019. The application of biochar and water table at one month after planting on growth and yield of shallot. Jurnal Lahan Suboptimal: Journal of Suboptimal Lands. 8(2):202-212. The success of onion self-sufficiency is the arrangement and growth of production centers that are not only concentrated in Java. The research aimed to evaluate the effect of biochar application and water table treatment on growth and yield of shallot plant. The research was conducted in Experimental Farm of Agriculture Faculty, Sriwijaya University at 2019. Materials used consisted of shallot bulb of Bima Brebes variety, oil palm shells biochar, paper bag, and plastic bag. While the tools used were hoe, gauge, pH meter, basin, scale, and oven. Factorial Randomized Block Design was used with two factors and three replicates. The first factor was biochar dosages consisting of P1 (51 g/plant) and P2 (102 g/plant) and the second factor was soil water table consisting of T0 (no water table treatment), T1 (10 cm of water table below soil surface), T2 (15 cm of water table below soil surface) and T3 (30 cm of water table below soil surface). The observed parameters included plant height, leaf number, tiller number, total bulb fresh weight, bulb fresh weight, bulb dry weight and root length. Results showed that the application of biochar and water table treatment statistically affected the growth and yield of shallot plant. The effect on both growth and yield parameters were obtained from the combination of P2T3. Correlation was found between plant height and leaf number, total bulb fresh weight and bulb fresh weight.