Effects of Biochar Amendment on Soil Thermal Conductivity, Reflectance, and Temperature

Zhang, Qingzhong; Wang, Yiding; Wu, Yihan; Wang, Xiahui; Du, Zhangliu; Liu, Xingren; Song, Jianzhong

doi:10.2136/sssaj2012.0180

Cited by 91 publications

(51 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…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%

“…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. This narrower amplitude of variation in soil temperature after biochar addition was also reported by Liu et al ().…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 59%

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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

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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.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 59%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 59%

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

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“…Change in soil temperature appears small and may depend on the rate of biochar application. Higher rates (>30 Mg ha -1 ) of biochar than those reported by Zhang et al (2013) and Usowicz et al (2016) may be needed to reduce soil temperature significantly. Soil thermal conductivity decreases after biochar application and appears to be more sensitive to biochar than soil temperature.…”

Section: Soil Thermal Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 88%

“…These properties directly influence the energy balance and the storage and transfer of heat through the soil. Zhang et al (2013) found that corncob biochar addition reduced soil thermal conductivity by 3.5% under 4.5 Mg ha -1 of biochar and by 7.5% under 9 Mg ha -1 of biochar. 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.…”

Section: Soil Thermal Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…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. For example, Zhang et al (2013) found that soil thermal conductivity decreased as soil bulk density decreased with increasing amounts of biochar application. A decrease in bulk density caused by biochar addition directly increases porosity.…”

Section: Soil Thermal Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Biochar and Soil Physical Properties

Blanco‐Canqui

2017

Soil Science Society of America Journal

667

374

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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

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Manipulating rangeland soil microclimate with juniper biochar for improved native seedling establishment

Phillips

Meyer

Hanson

et al. 2021

Soil Science Soc of Amer J

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Encroachment of western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis Hook.) and invasive grasses have substantially degraded sagebrush-steppe ecosystems of the western United States. Here we evaluated whether juniper that is converted to biochar could be used in restoration seeding to improve establishment of native bunchgrasses. We hypothesized that juniper biochar could expand the window of favorable soil climate conditions for seedling establishment, either by darkening the soil surface and hastening warming in the early spring, or by enhancing soil water retention and slowing drying in the late spring. The influence of biochar application on soil albedo, temperature, and moisture were evaluated over 2 yr, along with impacts to soil fertility and establishment of bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata [Pursh] Á. Löve).Plots amended with biochar (14 Mg ha −1 ) were compared with plots with burn scars, where cut juniper had been piled and burned, and control plots that were areas located between burn scars where no biochar was applied. Biochar caused a small decrease in surface albedo, but no change in soil temperature or in situ soil moisture. Biochar had no impact on seedling establishment or growth over 2 yr compared with control plots. Seedling establishment was greatest in burn scars, possibly due to greater N availability. Biochar had minimal effects on soil physical and chemical characteristics, even when applied at a higher amendment rate than could be provisioned by the abundance of juniper biomass on the landscape. This trial showed juniper biochar caused no harm, but provided no clear benefits for native seedling establishment.

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Effects of Biochar Amendment on Soil Thermal Conductivity, Reflectance, and Temperature

Cited by 91 publications

References 53 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

Manipulating rangeland soil microclimate with juniper biochar for improved native seedling establishment

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