Biochar addition drives soil aggregation and carbon sequestration in aggregate fractions from an intensive agricultural system

Du, Zhangliu; Zhao, Jiankun; Wang, Yiding; Zhang, Qingzhong

doi:10.1007/s11368-015-1349-2

Cited by 104 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…That is due to In our study, the OC in the coarse sand-size fraction was increased by 76% compared to CK. This result is consistent with the findings by Du, Zhao, Wang, and Zhang (2017) who reported high OC contents in larger fractions compared with smaller fractions in a biochar-treated soil. In general, the OC could be derived from POM, primary organomineral complexes, or secondary organomineral complexes (Chenu et al, 2006).…”

Section: Soil Carbon Distributionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Biochar influences soil carbon pools and facilitates interactions with soil: A field investigation

et al. 2018

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Biochar promotes the storage of organic carbon (OC) in soils. OC is unevenly distributed in soils among different particle‐size fractions showing different structures, functions, and stability. The objective of this study was to investigate the biochar–soil interactions and the redistribution of soil C in different soil fractions based on a 2‐year field experiment. Fractionation was done by particle sizes including coarse sand (250–2,000 μm), fine sand (53–250 μm), and silt/clay (<53 μm). Integrated spectroscopic techniques were employed to examine physical characteristics of biochar–soil interactions in different soil fractions. Application of biochar increased OC by 37%, 42%, and 76% in soil particle‐size fractions of 53–250, <53, and 250–2,000 μm, respectively. This was supported by X‐ray fluorescence spectroscopy analysis, which showed an increase of C contents by 5–56% with biochar addition. The highest increment in OC was found in coarse sand fraction, and redistribution of OC was detected depending on various soil particle sizes. Results of scanning electron microscopy combined with electron dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy analysis showed the interactions between soil and biochar, which could be attributed to oxidized functional groups (OCO, CO, and CO) captured by the X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The long‐term aged biochar could be beneficial to enhance soil quality by promoting OC storage and facilitating positive biochar–soil interactions.

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Section: Soil Carbon Distributionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Biochar influences soil carbon pools and facilitates interactions with soil: A field investigation

et al. 2018

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“…We established a field biochar experiment with annual biochar (from maize cobs, at 360 ∘ C) input in 2007 in a winter wheat-summer maize (Triticum aestivum L.-Zea mays L.) double cropping system in north China. In the last few years, the effects of biochar on enzyme activities (Du et al, 2014) and SOC stabilization mechanisms (Du et al, 2017) have been reported based on this field trial. However, there is a knowledge gap regarding how biochar alters soil structure and the mechanisms responsible for hydraulic properties.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biochar enhances soil hydraulic function but not soil aggregation in a sandy loam

Zhou

Fang

Zhang

et al. 2018

European J Soil Science

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Summary Biochar has the potential to modify soil structure and soil hydraulic properties because of its small particle density, highly porous structure, grain size distribution and surface chemistry. However, knowledge of the long‐term effects of biochar on soil physical properties under field conditions is limited. Using an 8‐year field trial, we investigated the effects of successive additions of high‐dose maize‐cob‐derived biochar (9.0 t ha−1 year−1, HB), low‐dose maize‐cob‐derived biochar (4.5 t ha−1 year−1, LB), straw return (SR) and control (no biochar or straw, CK) on soil aggregate distribution, three‐dimensional (3‐D) pore structure, hydraulic conductivity and water retention in the upper 10 cm of a sandy loam soil from the North China Plain. Results showed that LB and HB treatments increased soil organic C content by 61.0–116.3% relative to CK. Interestingly, biochar amendment did not enhance the proportion of macroaggregates (> 2 and 0.25–2 mm) or aggregate stability, indicating limited positive effects on soil aggregation. The HB treatment decreased soil bulk density, and increased total porosity and macroporosity (> 30 μm). The retention of soil water, including gravitational water (0–33 kPa), capillary water (33–3100 kPa) and hygroscopic water (> 3100 kPa), was improved under HB soil. The HB and LB treatments increased plant‐available water content by 17.8 and 10.1%, respectively, compared with CK. In contrast, SR showed no significant increase in soil porosity and water retention capacity but improved the water stability of macroaggregates. We concluded that biochar used in the coarse‐textured soil enhanced saturated hydraulic conductivity and water‐holding capacity, but did not improve soil aggregation. Highlights Pore structure and hydraulic properties were studied in an 8‐year biochar‐amended sandy loam. HB (high‐dose biochar) increased total soil porosity and CT‐identified macroporosity (> 30 μm). Water retention improved under HB soil. Biochar addition had no effect on the formation of macroaggregates.

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“…Cover crops provide additional biomass inputs from above-and belowground (Blanco-Canqui, Mikha, Presley, & Claassen, 2011), increase carbon and nitrogen inputs, and enhance the biodiversity of agroecosystems (Lal, 2004). Biochar amendments affect SOC dynamics through two pathways: (a) improving soil aggregation and physical protection of aggregate-associated SOC against microbial attack; and (b) increasing the pool of recalcitrant organic substrates resulting in a low SOC decomposition rate and substantial negative priming (Du, Zhao, Wang, & Zhang, 2017;Weng et al, 2017;Zhang et al, 2012). Biochar amendments affect SOC dynamics through two pathways: (a) improving soil aggregation and physical protection of aggregate-associated SOC against microbial attack; and (b) increasing the pool of recalcitrant organic substrates resulting in a low SOC decomposition rate and substantial negative priming (Du, Zhao, Wang, & Zhang, 2017;Weng et al, 2017;Zhang et al, 2012).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, cover crops can promote soil aggregation and structure (Sainju, Whitehead, & Singh, 2003), therefore indirectly reduce carbon loss from soil erosion (De Baets, Poesen, Meersmans, & Serlet, 2011). Biochar amendments affect SOC dynamics through two pathways: (a) improving soil aggregation and physical protection of aggregate-associated SOC against microbial attack; and (b) increasing the pool of recalcitrant organic substrates resulting in a low SOC decomposition rate and substantial negative priming (Du, Zhao, Wang, & Zhang, 2017;Weng et al, 2017;Zhang et al, 2012).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Responses of soil carbon sequestration to climate‐smart agriculture practices: A meta‐analysis

Bai

Huang

Ren

et al. 2019

Global Change Biology

267

116

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Climate‐smart agriculture (CSA) management practices (e.g., conservation tillage, cover crops, and biochar applications) have been widely adopted to enhance soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while ensuring crop productivity. However, current measurements regarding the influences of CSA management practices on SOC sequestration diverge widely, making it difficult to derive conclusions about individual and combined CSA management effects and bringing large uncertainties in quantifying the potential of the agricultural sector to mitigate climate change. We conducted a meta‐analysis of 3,049 paired measurements from 417 peer‐reviewed articles to examine the effects of three common CSA management practices on SOC sequestration as well as the environmental controlling factors. We found that, on average, biochar applications represented the most effective approach for increasing SOC content (39%), followed by cover crops (6%) and conservation tillage (5%). Further analysis suggested that the effects of CSA management practices were more pronounced in areas with relatively warmer climates or lower nitrogen fertilizer inputs. Our meta‐analysis demonstrated that, through adopting CSA practices, cropland could be an improved carbon sink. We also highlight the importance of considering local environmental factors (e.g., climate and soil conditions and their combination with other management practices) in identifying appropriate CSA practices for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions while ensuring crop productivity.

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Biochar addition drives soil aggregation and carbon sequestration in aggregate fractions from an intensive agricultural system

Cited by 104 publications

References 49 publications

Biochar influences soil carbon pools and facilitates interactions with soil: A field investigation

Biochar influences soil carbon pools and facilitates interactions with soil: A field investigation

Biochar enhances soil hydraulic function but not soil aggregation in a sandy loam

Responses of soil carbon sequestration to climate‐smart agriculture practices: A meta‐analysis

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