Biochar is a widely known soil amendment. Here we synthesize the available information on influence of biochar application on different soil properties and crop productivity using meta-analysis. Global data on influence of biochar applications on different soil physical, chemical, microbial properties, and crop productivity were extracted from literature and statistically analyzed. Based on selection criteria, 59 studies from the literature published between 2012 and 2021 were selected for the meta-analysis. Correlations were developed between effect size of biochar application on different soil properties and crop productivity. Application of biochar increased soil pH, cation exchange capacity, and organic carbon by 46%, 20%, and 27%, respectively, with greater effects in coarse and fine-textured soils. Effects on chemical properties were variable among biochar prepared from different feedstocks. Among physical properties, biochar application reduced bulk densities by 29% and increased porosity by 59%. Biochar prepared at higher pyrolytic temperatures (> 500 ℃) improved bulk density and porosity to greater extents (31% and 66%, respectively). Biochar prepared at lower pyrolytic temperatures (< 500 ℃) had a greater effect on microbial diversity (both bacterial and fungal), with more diverse bacterial populations in medium and coarse textured soils, while fungal diversity increased in fine textured soils. Biochar applications increased crop productivity only in fine and coarse textured soil. The effect size of biochar application on crop productivity was correlated with responses to physical properties of soils. The meta-analysis highlighted the need to conduct long-term field experiments to provide better explanations for changes in biochar properties as it undergoes aging, its longer-term effects on soil properties, and timing of re-application of different biochars.

Grain (pulse) legumes could provide high nitrogen (N), late summer forage for stocker cattle in the southern Great Plains (SGP). This study evaluated the forage yield and nutritive value of tropical annual legumes that were relatively uncommon in the SGP, at a site (35°40‘ N, 98°00’ W) in central Oklahoma. Included were cultivars of pigeon pea ([Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.], cv. GA‐2), guar ([Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.], cv. Kinman), cowpea ([Vigna unguiculata (L). Walp.], cv. Chinese red), and mung bean ([Vigna radiata (L.) Wilcz.], cv. Berkins), and grain soybean ([Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cv. Hutcheson) was used as a control. Seeds were inoculated and planted (60‐cm row spacing at 10 seeds m−1 row length) annually in mid‐June 2003 through 2006. Aboveground samples were collected on six dates, from 45 to 120 d since planting. Soybean, pigeon pea, and guar averaged 3560, 3439, and 3321 kg ha−1, while mung bean and cowpea averaged 2918 and 2405 kg ha−1, respectively. Mung bean and cowpea accumulated the least N (70 and 65 kg N ha−1), while soybean, guar, and pigeon pea yielded 100, 93, and 77 kg N ha−1, respectively. Digestibility of cowpea, mung bean, soybean, and guar were similar (757 to 825 g kg−1), while pigeon pea was least digestible (634 g kg−1). These pulse legumes could provide producers in the SGP with options other than soybean for generating forage or biological N.

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from 120 to 140 g kg Ϫ1 for stems, 190 to 200 g kg Ϫ1 for leaves, and 120 to 270 g kg Ϫ1 for pods, depending on Pasture for livestock in the southern Great Plains is often in short the stage of development (Miller et al., 1973). However, supply during the late summer. This study compared seasonal patterns when the value of the oil seed climbed in the 1960s and in forage production, forage quality, and seed yield of three recently developed forage soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cultivars (Done-1970s, soybean production shifted almost exclusively gal, Derry, and Tyrone) to the seed cultivar Hutcheson. Inoculated to seed cultivars. Many producers are now grazing or seeds were planted at 60 kg ha Ϫ1 in rows (20 m long) with 60-cm harvesting immature soybean fields for hay. Devine and spacing, in June 2001, 2002, and 2003, after harvest of no-till winter Hatley (1998) and Devine et al. (1998) recently develwheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Whole plant samples were collected oped several improved cultivars of forage soybean that on six sample dates from approximately 52 to 120 d after seeding could provide better grazing. (DAS). At 120 DAS, forage soybeans Derry, Donegal, and Tyrone Little research has been conducted on the productivleaf and stem accumulations were 15, 46, and 47% and 43, 69, and ity and value of forage soybean in the southern Great 126% greater than that of Hutcheson, respectively. Seed soybean Plains region. The objectives of this study were to cominitiated flowering 15 d earlier than forage soybeans, resulting in lower leaf and stem yield. Forage quality of whole plants (N concentration pare and quantify leaf, stem, and pod production and and dry matter digestibility) of whole plant was similar across cultivars. the quantity and quality of each component of forage-Seed yield of Tyrone was lowest (690 kg ha Ϫ1 ), as compared to Donegal

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A 5 year study was conducted during 1988-1992 to quantify the effects of grazing date and frequency on total organic reserves of prairie sandreed [Calamovilfa ZongifoZia (Hook.) Scribn.] and sand bluestem (Andropogon haZZii Hack.). Treatments consisted of mid-month grazing periods in