Long-Term Effects of Biochar Application With Reduced Chemical Fertilizer on Paddy Soil Properties and japonica Rice Production System

Abstract

To clarify the effects of co-application of rice-straw biochar and different chemical fertilizer doses on paddy soil properties and japonica rice production in Northeast China, a located-field experiment was adopted for 5 years. The treatments included fertilization (F, no biochar, control) and rice-straw biochar (7.5 t ha−1) combined with different chemical fertilizer doses (100, 80, and 60% that of F) set as CF, CF1, and CF2, respectively. The results showed that the co-application of biochar and chemical fertilizers after 5 years reduced soil bulk density, increased soil total and capillary porosity, changed the soil solid–liquid–gas ratio (increased the liquid and air ratios and decreased the solid ratio), and increased soil macroaggregates (>0.25 mm) and aggregate stability, which enhanced the soil’s physical properties. Furthermore, the co-application improved soil pH and soil enzyme activity (urease, sucrase, and catalase) and had a significant effect on promoting SOM. The soil total N, P, and K of CF and CF1, were 23.48, %, 47.28%, and 26.59% and 9.47%, 43.98%, and 27.87% higher than those of the control, respectively. The soil available nutrients (N, P, and K) increased in the co-application treatment, shown as the nitrogen was promoted higher in the early growth of rice, while phosphorus and potassium were exhibited greater in the late growth. With the soil amendment, the co-application increased the rice plant height and dry matter accumulation, and the CF and CF1 increased yields by 5.78 and 2.41%, respectively, by increasing the rice effective panicles, grains per panicle, and seed-setting rate. The co-application of biochar and chemical fertilizers could significantly amend soil properties and reduce chemical fertilizer use to ensure rice–grain output, which has an important significance for enhancing sustainable soil and crop productivity.

Effect of biochar on biochemical properties of saline soil and growth of rice

“…al. [ 22 ] in which adding biochar has promoted the activity of urease and soil alkaline phosphatase in saline-alkali soil. With the increase of biochar amount added, the soil catalase in 0–10 cm deep soil decreased possibly due to the strong adsorption of biochar, resulting in soil catalases being adsorbed and contained to react with other substances [ 23 ] [ 24 ].…”

Advancements in Biochar Modification for Enhanced Phosphorus Utilization in Agriculture

“…The sustained benefits of a single biochar application on soil health outweigh the costs of routine fertilizer applications. Additionally, the role of biochar in mitigating environmental issues such as nutrient leaching and runoff can result in long-term economic and ecological benefits [100]. As global agriculture shifts towards sustainable practices, biochar's multifaceted benefits become increasingly evident, surpassing traditional soil amendment methods [93].…”

Chemical Fertilizer Reduction Combined with Biochar Application Ameliorates the Biological Property and Fertilizer Utilization of Pod Pepper

“…Sun et al [22] found that biochar (10-20 t•ha −1 ) could take the place of chemical N fertilizer (20-40%) and stabilize the yield of vegetables via increasing nutrient use efficiency and improving soil quality under field conditions, which matched with the yield of the complete rate N application treatment. Gu et al [23] pointed out that the use of biochar together with a 20-40% chemical fertilizer reduction was beneficial to ameliorate soil properties without reducing rice yield, which can be an effective strategy to maintain sustainable soil productivity in rice production systems. Therefore, biochar has been utilized as both a technical tool to reduce fertilizer usage and boost efficiency, and as an amendment to enhance the soil environment.…”