Effect of banded biochar on dryland wheat production and fertiliser use in south-western Australia: an agronomic and economic perspective

Abstract

Effects of banded biochar application on dryland wheat production and fertiliser use in 4 experiments in Western Australia and South Australia suggest that biochar has the potential to reduce fertiliser requirement while crop productivity is maintained, and biochar additions can increase crop yields at lower rates of fertiliser use. Banding was used to minimise wind erosion risk and place biochar close to crop roots. The biochars/metallurgical chars used in this study were made at relatively high temperatures from woody materials, forming stable, low-nutrient chars. The results suggest that a low biochar application rate (~1 t/ha) by banding may provide significant positive effects on yield and fertiliser requirement. Benefits are likely to result from improved crop nutrient and water uptake and crop water supply from increased arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal colonisation during dry seasons and in low P soils, rather than through direct nutrient or water supply from biochars. Financial analysis using farm cash flow over 12 years suggests that a break-even total cost of initial biochar use can range from AU$40 to 190/ha if the benefits decline linearly to nil over 12 years, taking into account a P fertiliser saving of 50% or a yield increase of 10%, or both, assuming long-term soil fertility is not compromised. Accreditation of biochar for carbon trading may assist cost reduction.

Residual Effect of Biochar on Soil Properties and Yield of Maize (<i>Zea mays L.</i>) under Different Cropping Systems

“…Our result is also supported by [22]. [23] who reported that appliance of biochar improved the yields of crops due to better …”

Influence of biochar and compost on soil properties and tree growth in a tropical urban environment

“…As for plant growth responses, increases in foliar nutrient concentrations seen with S. saman and S. multiflora are both supported and refuted by the literature (Liang et al 2006;Blackwell et al 2010;Lehmann et al 2011). This present study indicated that although there was no clear increase in foliar N levels with the addition of compost, levels of foliar P and K were both found to have increased following this treatment.…”

Fourfold Increase in Pumpkin Yield in Response to Low-Dosage Root Zone Application of Urine-Enhanced Biochar to a Fertile Tropical Soil

“…While most biochar applications described so far consisted of homogenous spreading and ploughing over the whole field plot, conservative farming practices propose to apply soil amendments in a more concentrated fashion and close to the roots, e.g., in the hoe basins or rip lines where cultivation occurs [33][34][35]. Blackwell et al [36] tested banded biochar application on dry land wheat production and concluded that the banding application of biochar at low application rates of 1 t·ha…”