Crop residue decomposition in Minnesota biochar-amended plots

Abstract

Abstract. Impacts of biochar application at laboratory scales are routinely studied, but impacts of biochar application on decomposition of crop residues at field scales have not been widely addressed. The priming or hindrance of crop residue decomposition could have a cascading impact on soil processes, particularly those influencing nutrient availability. Our objectives were to evaluate biochar effects on field decomposition of crop residue, using plots that were amended with biochars made from different plant-based feedstocks and pyrolysis platforms in the fall of 2008. Litterbags containing wheat straw material were buried in July of 2011 below the soil surface in a continuous-corn cropped field in plots that had received one of seven different biochar amendments or a uncharred wood-pellet amendment 2.5 yr prior to start of this study. Litterbags were collected over the course of 14 weeks. Microbial biomass was assessed in treatment plots the previous fall. Though first-order decomposition rate constants were positively correlated to microbial biomass, neither parameter was statistically affected by biochar or wood-pellet treatments. The findings indicated only a residual of potentially positive and negative initial impacts of biochars on residue decomposition, which fit in line with established feedstock and pyrolysis influences. Overall, these findings indicate that no significant alteration in the microbial dynamics of the soil decomposer communities occurred as a consequence of the application of plant-based biochars evaluated here.

Agro-environmental characterization of biochar issued from crop wastes in the humid forest zone of Cameroon

“…From Table 3, biochar from corncob had significantly high ash content (23.4%). Ash from organic waste is rich in potassium, calcium and magnesium which are suitable for plant growth (Weyers and Spokas 2014). The ash content in the biochar increased with temperature with a positive significant correlation coefficient of 0.439 * at P < 0.01 (Table 4).…”

“…When added to acidic soils, biochar like other organic fertilizers (green manure, animal manure and compost) influences soil characteristics such as soil pH and bulk density (Djousse et al 2016;Siamak et al 2017). Studies have shown that adding biochar to soils increases soil organic matter (SOM) and organic carbon which then enhances nutrient supply to plants and promote plant growth (Weyers and Spokas 2014;Dotaniya et al 2016). Growing interest in biochar has also been associated with its carbon sequestration ability, to reduce CO 2 emissions by slowing down the return of photosynthetically fixed carbon to the atmosphere (Enders et al 2012).…”

Long‐Term Durum Wheat‐Based Cropping Systems Result in the Rapid Saturation of Soil Carbon in the Mediterranean Semi‐arid Environment

“…The variables that influence C sequestration and consequently the SOC pool include climate, soil physical and chemical characteristics, land management, and the input and decomposition of plant residues, including leaves, roots, and root exudates. (Cely et al, 2014;Parras-Alcántara & Lozano-García, 2014;Srinivasarao et al, 2014;Weyers & Spokas, 2014;Kaleeem Abbasi et al, 2015). The SOC pool can generally be increased by agricultural management that increases litter input and reduces tillage intensity (Bell et al, 2003;Alvaro-Fuentes et al, 2009a;Carr et al, 2015).…”

Zero net livelihood degradation – the quest for a multidimensional protocol to combat desertification

“…The dominant approaches of many suggested practices are still purely biophysical (e.g. García-Orenes et al, 2012;Weyers and Spokas, 2014;Sadeghi et al, 2015;Cerdà et al, 2015). However, the livelihood approach provides the perspective that natural resource degradation should be tackled in a wider manner than only a cause-and-effect logic due to a linear ecological process (Gharibvand et al, 2015).…”