Effects of Biochar Amendment on Soil Thermal Properties in the North China Plain

Zhao, Jiankun; Ren, Tusheng; Zhang, Qingzhong; Du, Zhangliu; Wang, Yiding

doi:10.2136/sssaj2016.01.0020

Cited by 55 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 46 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…The modification of soil temperature by biochar treatment might be due to changes in thermal conductivity (Zhang et al, ) and albedo (Usowicz et al, ). Both the soil thermal conductivity and diffusivity decreased as the rate of biochar application increased, thus inducing a larger specific heat capacity, as reported by Zhao et al (). In addition, the variation in albedo was related to the structure and colour of the surface soil (Usowicz et al, ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 76%

“…Furthermore, the magnitude of the difference in the biochar amendment treatments was more evident with growth stage or with decreases in soil temperature. The increase in heat storage in the soil after biochar application has been noted to some extent in other studies (Liu et al, ; Ventura et al, ; Zhang et al, ; Zhao et al, ); this helps winter wheat to survive the cold winter (Liu et al, ). Specifically, Zhang et al () showed that biochar application weakened the fluctuations in seasonal and daily soil temperature and moderated the extremes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 59%

“…Moreover, soil bulk density can be influenced by biochar application, which can further contribute to the variation in soil thermal conductivity (Zhang et al, ). Zhao et al () reported that soil thermal conductivity was dominated by bulk density rather than water content, which had a positive correlation. The correlations between soil water content, bulk density and temperature need to be explored further.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Effects of maize straw‐derived biochar application on soil temperature, water conditions and growth of winter wheat

Yan

Dong

et al. 2019

European J Soil Science

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Biochar application to soil has been widely accepted as an approach to enhance soil carbon sequestration, promote nutrient use efficiency and improve crop yields. Maize straw‐derived biochar application is also a novel practice for the sustainable use of straw waste. However, it remains unclear whether biochar modifies soil temperature, thereby influencing winter wheat growth. Field experiments were conducted for 2 years to answer this question. Maize straw‐derived biochar was applied at rates of 0 (B0), 20 (B20), 40 (B40) and 60 (B60) t ha−1 in the field plots. Biochar application increased the soil temperature compared to the unamended control plot for all growth stages. The highest soil temperatures occurred at 40‐cm depth in the B40 treatment and 20‐cm depth in the B60 treatment. Biochar application also enhanced the soil water content of the winter wheat fields during the growing seasons, with a maximum effect achieved at a rate of biochar application of 40 t ha−1. However, water content did not increase with increasing rate of application. Biochar application decreased the soil bulk density, and this effect was enhanced with increasing rates of biochar application. The largest grain yield was obtained in the B40 treatment, resulting from an increase in aboveground biomass and effective spike number. Our study suggests that biochar application potentially improves the grain yield of winter wheat from the increased soil temperature. This conclusion needs to be confirmed by a long‐term study on biochar application. Highlights The effects of rates of biochar application on wheat growth and yield were evaluated. Response of soil temperatures to biochar application improves understanding of underlying mechanisms involved. Warmer soil temperature and lower soil bulk density with large rates of biochar were unfavourable for water storage and wheat growth. Biochar application at a rate of 40 t ha−1 was optimal to enhance wheat growth and grain yield.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 76%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 59%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Effects of maize straw‐derived biochar application on soil temperature, water conditions and growth of winter wheat

Yan

Dong

et al. 2019

European J Soil Science

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Similarly, Usowicz et al (2016) found that biochar application at 10, 20, and 30 Mg ha -1 reduced thermal conductivity as well as thermal diffusivity in the 0-to 10-cm soil depth. In addition, Zhao et al (2016) observed that soil thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity decreased with biochar application at 4.5 and 9.0 Mg ha -1 .…”

Section: Soil Thermal Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…Thus changes in these soil properties after biochar application can concurrently alter the soils thermal properties. For example, soil thermal conductivity can increase with an increase in bulk density and soil water content and decreases with an increase in soil organic matter and salt concentration (Abu-Hamdeh and Reeder, 2000;Zhao et al, 2016). The decrease in bulk density with biochar application (Table 1) can reduce the thermal conductivity, whereas the increase in water retention with biochar application (Table 8) can increase the thermal conductivity.…”

Section: Soil Thermal Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biochar and Soil Physical Properties

Blanco‐Canqui

2017

Soil Science Society of America Journal

608

374

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Biochar is considered to be a potential soil amendment. However, its implications for soil physical and hydraulic properties have not been widely discussed. Changes in the soil physical environment influence the numerous services that soils provide. This paper (i) reviewed the impacts of biochar on soil compaction, mechanical, structural, hydraulic, and thermal properties; (ii) discussed factors affecting biochar performance; and (iii) identified research areas. Biochar generally reduces soil bulk density by 3 to 31%, increases porosity by 14 to 64%, and has limited or no effects on penetration resistance. Biochar increases wet aggregate stability by 3 to 226%, improves soil consistency, and has mixed effects on dry soil aggregate stability. It increases available water by 4 to 130%. Saturated hydraulic conductivity decreases in coarse-textured soils, and increases in fine-textured soils following biochar application. Studies on other properties are few but suggest that biochar reduces tensile strength and particle density, alters water infiltration, moderates soil thermal properties, and has minimal effect on soil water repellency. Sandy soils appear to respond more to biochar than clayey soils. Biochar effectiveness increases as the amount of biochar applied increases. A decrease in biochar particle size can increase water retention but may reduce saturated flow. Field-scale and long-term studies assessing all soil physical properties under different scenarios of biochar management are needed. Overall, biochar generally improves the soil physical environment, but long-term field studies are lacking to conclusively ascertain the extent of biochar effects.Abbreviations: COLE, coefficient of linear extensibility; WDPT, water drop penetration test

show abstract

The residual impact of straw mulch and biochar amendments on soil physiochemical properties and yield of maize under rainfed system

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Global warming and climate alterations have adversely affected agricultural production systems. The application of biochar can help mitigate climate change impacts and enhance the production and quality of agriculture. The field experiments were conducted during 2018 and 2019 to evaluate the effects of straw mulch (0 and 8 tons ha −1 ) and biochar (0, 4, 12, and 36 tons ha −1 ) on soil temperature, soil pH, bulk density, electric conductivity, cation exchange capacity, soil organic carbon, soil nutrient status (available P, K, NO 3 − , and NH 4 + ) at various soil depth (10, 20, and 30 cm), and yield and yield-related traits of rainfed maize (Zea mays L.). The results showed that addition of biochar regulated the soil temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, cation exchange capacity, and increased the soil organic carbon, soil nutrient status (available P, K, NO 3 − , and NH 4 + ) compared to non-biochar-treated soils. In contrast, the higher amount of biochar (36 tons ha −1 ) application decreased the soil bulk density compared to control. However, the combined application of straw mulch and biochar improved the grain yield and yield contributing traits of maize. In conclusion, either straw mulch and biochar or combined straw mulch + biochar-based soil management techniques regulate the temperature and physiochemical properties of soil. These improvements in soil properties increased the grain yield of rainfed maize and help to mitigate global warming. Abbreviations: B 0 , no biochar; B 1 , 4 tons ha −1 biochar; B 2 , 12 tons ha −1 biochar; B 3 , 36 tons ha −1 biochar; CEC, cation exchange capacity; EC, electrical conductivity; NM, no mulch; SM, straw mulch; SOC, soil organic carbon.

show abstract

Effects of Biochar Amendment on Soil Thermal Properties in the North China Plain

Cited by 55 publications

References 46 publications

Effects of maize straw‐derived biochar application on soil temperature, water conditions and growth of winter wheat

Effects of maize straw‐derived biochar application on soil temperature, water conditions and growth of winter wheat

Biochar and Soil Physical Properties

The residual impact of straw mulch and biochar amendments on soil physiochemical properties and yield of maize under rainfed system

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About