Biochar Can Enhance Potassium Fertilization Efficiency and Economic Feasibility of Maize Cultivation

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted to study the effect of biochar on potassium fertilizer leaching and uptake, efficiency and effectiveness of K fertilization, and economic viability of farming maize. Thirty tons ha -1 of biochar prepared from organic waste was applied to an Inceptisol. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with 7 treatments, namely control (without biochar and KCl), K1 (200 kg ha -1 KCl), BK0 (biochar, without KCl), BK1/4 (biochar + 50 kg ha -1 KCl), BK 1/2 (biochar + 100 kg ha -1 KCl), BK 3/4 (biochar + 150 kg ha -1 KCl), and BK1 (biochar + 200 kg ha -1 KCl) and three replicates for each treatment. The results suggest that biochar could replace and reduce KCl fertilizer. Biochar application increased the availability of nutrients by 69-89% for K + , 61-70% for Ca ++ , 39-53% for N total, 179-208% for P, and 14-184% for K.The results showed that the sole application of biochar increased maize production (6.24 Mg ha -1 ) by 14% compared sole application of KCl fertilizer (5.45 Mg ha -1 ). In contrast, dual application of biochar and 75% lower dosage of KCl fertilizer application increased maize production by 29%. Application of biochar and KCl fertilizer at the rate of 50 kg ha -1 resulted in the highest relative agronomic effectiveness (137%) and K fertilizer efficiency (18%). This application rate was also superior both technically and economically as assessed in terms of production (7.02 Mg ha -1 ), value of sales (revenue; IDR 19,305 million ha -1 ), income (IDR 8,663 million ha -1 ), and economic feasibility (R/C, 1.8).

Biochar and clinoptilolite zeolite on selected chemical properties of soil cultivated with maize (Zea mays L.)

“…Increase in soil K by up to 189% with biochar treatment was reported by Widowati et al (2012) and in a study by Widowati and Asnah (2014), soil available K was observed to be higher (69-89%) as a result of biochar treatment. Soil K was observed to be higher by up to 14% with biochar treatment in an experiment conducted by Nigussie et al (2012).…”

Biochar and Biomass Ash as a Soil Ameliorant: The Effect on Selected Soil Properties and Yield of Giant Miscanthus (Miscanthus x giganteus)

“…The increase in the phosphorus content in the soil after the application of biochar results from the content of easily absorbable forms of this element in biochars, as well as from its ability to react on the soil reaction, thus producing changes in the solubility of phosphorus forms [31,32]. Numerous authors report that the addition of biochars to the soil affects the intensive growth of soluble forms of potassium in the soil solution [33,34]. Liu et al [35] note an increase in the contents of macroelements in the soil compared to the control following the application of biochar from the vegetative parts of bamboo and rice straw.…”

Research on biocharviaa comprehensive scientometric approach

“…46,47 Biochar had some good characteristics, including being rich in nutrients, improving the nutrient utilization efficiency of crops, adjusting soil pH and removal of soil pollutants, etc. [48][49][50][51][52] Due to these characteristics, biochar could improve the soil quality, thus the research concerning biochar and soil(s) were relatively hotter. The further analysis of these 2062 articles containing soil or soils revealed that "carbon" and "effects" were the rst and second most used words, aer soil(s) and biochar.…”