Biochar and Animal Manure Impact on Soil, Crop Yield and Quality

Abstract

Four low-cost organic soil amendments (chicken manure, CM; horse manure, HM; yard water, YW; and sewage sludge, SS) that are generated daily in large amounts, and native bare soil were planted with tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var. Mountain spring) seedlings of 52 days old in raised black plastic-mulch. Each of the 5 treatments was also mixed with biochar to make a total of 10 treatments in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Results revealed that total fresh weight of tomato fruits collected after three harvests from CM and CM mixed with biochar significantly (P < 0.05) increased, whereas yield obtained from HM was the lowest indicating a positive effect of CM on the growth and yield of tomato. HM increased soil urease activity, while CM and SS increased soil invertase activity. Total marketable tomato yield of biochar amended soils was increased by 63 and 20% in HM and YW treatments, respectively compared to other soil treatments. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) was greatest in fruits of plants grown in CM amended soil. Results of this investigation may help limited-resource farmers in selecting an affordable soil management practice to enhance crop yield, crop nutritional composition, and soil microbial activity.

Monitoring Soil Enzymes Activity before and after Animal Manure Application

“…The use of bioindicators, such as soil enzymes activity, as monitoring tools to assess soil health and potential impact of SA, have been recommended [1,2]. Soil enzymes are very sensitive to the environmental stress caused by high levels of trace metals [3,4], hormones, and antibiotics [5] in animal manures, due to their impacts on soil biological activity.…”

“…Studies also have indicated that biochar (product of a process known as pyrolysis) used as a soil amendment could increase plant nutrients, soil cation exchange capacity (CEC), soil organic matter, soil microbial activities, and nutrient availability [1,23]. Biochar application to agricultural soils has a potential for climate change mitigation and improvement of soil properties, due to its increase of CEC, nutrient and water retention, and positive influences on soil microbial communities and crop yields [24].…”

Trace Elements Composition and Enzymes Activity of Soil Amended with Municipal Sewage Sludge at Three Locations in Kentucky

“…In addition, Mierzwa-Hersztek et al [45] reported a positive correlation between microbial population and soil pH. Mixing SS amended soil with lime (calcium carbonate) or biochar (a carbon-rich product obtained when biomass, such as wood, manure, or leaves, is heated in a closed container) has been proposed to reduce soil contamination by trace metals due to their impact soil pH [46,47]. In addition, biochar is effective at retaining water-soluble nutrients required for many beneficial soil microorganisms [48].…”

Effects of Cultivating Rice and Wheat with and without Organic Fertilizer Application on Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Soil Quality in Khost, Afghanistan

“…Livestock manure provides a good source of essential nutrients for plants and is an excellent agent for improving soil quality and productivity. Although manure is the second largest source of GHG emissions in the agricultural sector [45], this amount of cattle manure application in the study had a benefit to soil improvement rather than an environmental impact. Shahzad et al [46] reported that the capacity of carbon sequestration by cattle manure application was 1-1.2 Mg h −1 higher than chemical fertilizer application [46].…”