Changes in the composition and properties of biochar after one-year application

Abstract

The study examines the change in the properties of biochar obtained from Betula alba tree residues after its application in a field growing experiment for two growing periods in the areas with different water-air conditions (both with and without drainage). The results obtained after the first growing period showed a noticeable change in the indicators. The pH values in the biochar sample after the first growing period decreased sharply by 1.3 and 0.7 units in the areas with and without drainage, respectively, compared to the initial pH value of 8.09. After the second growing period, the change in pH value was not significant. The values of ash elements increased sharply, the content of volatile compounds decreased slightly. Water retention capacity improved. After the first growing period, water retention capacity almost doubled and it changed slightly in the sample with the biochar after its application in the second growing period.

Positive experience in the application of soil- and carbon-saving agricultural technologies with the introduction of biochar in the conditions of the Russian Far East

“…Biochar was applied to the soil manually once in June 2018 in a surface horizon of 0-10 cm. A more detailed application scheme and its description can be found in our previous works [9][10][11][12].…”

Бизнес-модель применения биоугля сельхозпроизводителями с учётом концепции LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) и углеродного следа

“…Основными культурами для эксперимента стали капуста, картофель. Основные результаты полевого эксперимента [13,[17][18][19]:…”

Effect of Biochar on Soil CO2 Fluxes from Agricultural Field Experiments in Russian Far East

“…Biochar was added to the soil once on 15 June 2018. Biochar was introduced into the soil in the form of particles ranging in size from 0.5 to 50 mm (for more information, see Bovsun et al [18]). Biochar was first homogeneously manually distributed on the experimental surfaces and then mechanically integrated in the top soil centimeters (0-10 cm).…”

“…Changes in the chemical and sorption properties of biochar after being in the soil for 1 and 2 years are described in detail in the work of Bovsun et al [18] To visually confirm the change in the appearance of biochar, photographs were obtained using electron microscopy (Figure 2). After the first growing season in 2018, the biochar samples showed a slight change in the pore structure.…”