Effects of co-composting of farm manure and biochar on plant growth and carbon mineralization in an alkaline soil

Abstract

In the present study, the effects of co-composts of biochar (BC) and farm manure (FM) on the growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and carbon mineralization in an alkaline soil were investigated. The co-composts of FM and BC were prepared at various ratios (FM:BC, FM:BC, FM:BC, FM:BC, FM:BC) using aboveground piles and were used in two separate experiments conducted simultaneously. In the plant growth trial, prepared co-composts were applied at a rate of 2% w/w and wheat was grown at two fertilizer levels (half and full) until maturity. In the incubation experiment, same treatments were used and carbon mineralization was studied over a period of 79 days. The priming effect and net CO efflux were calculated using CO release data. Analysis of postincubation soil showed no significant effect of treatments on the pH of soil. However, electrical conductivity and organic matter were significantly influenced by all treatments. The increasing BC ratio in the compost reduced the carbon mineralization in soil in a dose-additive manner. Increase in BC proportion in composts (FM:BC, FM:BC, FM:BC) stabilized the native carbon of the soil and caused negative priming effect (-1.9, -5.6, and -8.48%, respectively). Regarding plant growth, the results showed an enhancement in the grain yield with the application of compost than control. Total nitrogen (N), phosphorus, and potassium (K) contents of the soil were also increased by the application of compost than control (un-amended soil). Significantly higher N and K concentrations in wheat plants were also examined when soil was treated with compost than control. The use of compost with half fertilizer was better in increasing grain yield, especially with higher BC proportion in the compost than FM.

Potential role of compost mixed biochar with rhizobacteria in mitigating lead toxicity in spinach

“…Besides, the imperative role of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, the BC, has a high water holding capacity, ion exchange capacity, high surface area that make it an effective amendment for enhanced uptake of water and nutrients in the plants 65 – 67 . Depending upon the feedstock, biochar itself carries a significant amount of mineral nutrients 68 . The application of compost also increased the nutrient status in the soils which consequently increased the uptake of nutrient in the crops 61 .…”

Co-application of ACC-deaminase producing PGPR and timber-waste biochar improves pigments formation, growth and yield of wheat under drought stress

“…On the other hand, the imperative role of organic amendments in mitigation of drought stress by improving soil water holding capacity and availability of nutrients cannot be denied 26,27 . Biochar (BC), is a black carbon compound which is a good source of nutrients.…”

“…Biochar (BC), is a black carbon compound which is a good source of nutrients. It is produced through pyrolysis at high temperature under low or no supply of oxygen 27–29 . The physio-chemical properties of BC depend on the nature of waste material used and temperature of the pyrolysis 30,31 .…”

Effects of biochar on pepperoncini (Capsicum annuum L cv. Stavros) germination and seedling growth in two soil types

“…Most of the studies on biochar research have been done in acidic soils and therefore critical lack of research on alkaline soils exists. Qayyum et al (2014) investigated the effects of an application of various biochars (1%) to alkaline soils on the germination of maize. They reported that the germination percentages ranged from 69% to 85% in different treatments, but none of the biochars caused detrimental effect.…”

“…Our results show that the germination percentage of pepperoncini seeds in alkaline soils substrates with 2%, 4%, 8%, and 10% biochar generally increased slightly above the control, although the increase was not significant. Qayyum et al (2014) referred significant effect of biochar (1%) application to alkaline soil on seedling shoot and root lengths. This paper shows that the height of pepperoncini in all biochar applications in alkaline soil substrates was smaller when compared to the control.…”