Pine Woodchip Biochar Impact on Soil Nutrient Concentrations and Corn Yield in a Silt Loam in the Mid-Southern U.S.

Slimani, A.; Mebarkia, A.; Houd, K.

doi:10.3390/agriculture5010030

Cited by 29 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 37 publications

(53 reference statements)

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“…Due to this high C addition, several previous temperate biochar field studies advise supplemental N additions to minimize biochar induced N limitations (Brantley et al, 2015;Jones et al, 2012;Lehmann et al, 2003;Tammeorg et al, 2014;Zheng et al, 2012). However, at the 30 Mg ha -1 addition rate, we observed no decrease in soil N pools, or increase in microbial N immobilization with the biochar plots.…”

Section: Soil Moisture and Nutrientscontrasting

confidence: 59%

“…Aside from physical habitat, biochar's large surface area and reactivity attracts ions and low-molecular weight organic compounds; thus biochar can initially increase nutrient retention and potential sites for microbe-substrate interactions (Gul et al, 2015). Even with these known structural changes, the effect of pine-wood biochar on microbial biomass remains variable, ranging from no impact to 100% increases (Brantley et al, 2015;Domene et al, 2014;Gomez et al, 2014;Jin, 2010). Despite the wide variation in response of microbial biomass to biochar, few researchers have quantified how microbial function is altered by these induced soil physical changes in soil moisture and surface area, and chemical changes to nutrient retention and pH (Elzobair et al, 2016;Lehmann et al, 2011;Oleszczuk et al, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Biochar addition alters soil stoichiometry due to the large organic C inputs. This increase of C in some temperate ecosystems can lead to an increase in microbial nitrogen (N) immobilization into biomass by up to threefold (Güereña et al, 2012) and subsequent N stabilization on biochar surfaces (Brantley et al, 2015), although biochar addition does not always induce N immobilization (M.L. Cayuela et al, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Biochar and manure amendments impact soil nutrients and microbial enzymatic activities in a semi-arid irrigated maize cropping system

Foster

Hansen

Wallenstein

et al. 2016

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

184

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To mitigate negative impacts on crop yield from water-saving limited irrigation, we tested the effect of two organic amendments on soil water holding capacity and nutrients. In an experimental maize field in northern Colorado, we tilled in conventional steer manure (30 Mg ha-1) and a fast-pyrolysis pine-wood biochar (30 Mg ha-1). We quantified impacts on soil moisture, total carbon and nitrogen, mineral nitrogen, available phosphorus, microbial biomass, and seven extracellular enzymatic activities (EEAs). Compared to the control, manure amendments increased gravimetric soil moisture by approximately 15%, total nitrogen by 10%, available phosphorus by 45%, and microbial biomass carbon by 15% (p<0.05). Relative to the control, biochar increased total soil carbon by 80% and altered EEAs (p<0.05). Biochar significantly increased α-1,4-glucosidase, β-D-cellobiohydrolase and β-1,4-Nacetylglucosaminidase and significantly decreased β-1,4-glucosidase and phosphatase activities (p<0.05). Despite the effects on soil moisture, nutrient availability, and microbial dynamics, neither amendment significantly impacted maize yield under limited irrigation. Ongoing measurements will allow us to fully assess longer-term impacts on yield.

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Section: Soil Moisture and Nutrientscontrasting

confidence: 59%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Biochar and manure amendments impact soil nutrients and microbial enzymatic activities in a semi-arid irrigated maize cropping system

Foster

Hansen

Wallenstein

et al. 2016

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

184

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“…Eucalyptus biochar was not different from filtercake biochar, but it contributed to the lowest soil total N. Brantley et al . () suggested that combining biochar with N fertilizer could improve maize production based on increased NUE and yield compared to no biochar. Increased soil N retention through biochar could be due to increased N immobilization, reduced N losses from gases and surface erosion, and higher organic N retention on biochar surfaces.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Increased soil N retention through biochar could be due to increased N immobilization, reduced N losses from gases and surface erosion, and higher organic N retention on biochar surfaces. In addition, biochar may increase N availability by providing substrate and habitat for microorganisms (Brantley et al, 2015).…”

Section: Biochar Effects On Plant Physiological Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biochars from local agricultural waste residues contribute to soil quality and plant growth in a Cerrado region (Brazil) Arenosol

et al. 2017

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Arenosols (sandy soils) in the Cerrado region of Mato Grosso, Brazil, are increasingly used for maize production, the second most important crop in the region after soybean. Yet, these soils are typically nutrient poor with low soil water retention, requiring high fertilizer inputs that are often lost in surface runoff or leached. The addition of biochar, a more recalcitrant organic amendment, may therefore be beneficial in Cerrado Arenosols, contributing to sustainable crop production in the region. To examine biochar contribution to soil nutrient levels and maize growth in a Cerrado Arenosol, we conducted a greenhouse experiment using biochars made from local agricultural waste feedstocks. These were cotton husks, swine manure, eucalyptus sawmill residue, and sugarcane filtercake, pyrolyzed at 400 °C, and applied to soil at five rates: 0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4% by weight. Maize plants were grown under unstressed conditions (e.g., no nutrient or water limitations) to highlight any possible negative effects of the biochars. After 42 days, soils were analyzed for nutrient levels, and plant physical and physiological measurements were taken. Filtercake biochar had the highest plant biomass and physiological properties (e.g., photosynthesis, respiration, nitrogen use efficiency), while cotton biochar had the lowest. Importantly, maize biomass decreased with increasing application rates of cotton and swine manure biochars, while biomass did not vary in response to biochar application rate for filtercake and eucalyptus biochars. In this study, we found that while each biochar exhibited potential for improving chemical and physical properties of Cerrado Arenosols, filtercake biochar stood out as most promising. Biochar application rate was identified a key factor in ensuring crop productivity. Transforming these agricultural residues readily available in the region into more stable biochar can thus contribute to sustainable crop management and soil conservation, providing an alternative form of waste disposal for these residual materials.

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Biochar affects growth and shoot nitrogen in four crops for two soils

Olszyk

Shiroyama²,

Novak

et al. 2020

Agrosystems Geosci & Env

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To address the need for information on biochar effects on crop growth and nitrogen (N), a greenhouse study was conducted with carrot, lettuce, soybean, and sweet corn using sandy loam (Coxville series) and loamy sand (Norfolk series) soils and a variety of biochars. Biochar was produced from pine chips (PC), poultry litter (PL), swine solids (SS), switchgrass (SG), and two blends of PC plus PL (50/50% [55] and 80/20% [82], wt/wt), with each feedstock pyrolyzed at 350, 500, or 700˚C. The results confirmed that biochar can increase crop growth; however, the responses varied with crop, soil, and feedstock and to a lesser extent with pyrolysis temperature. In general, lettuce had large increases in shoot and root dry weights vs. no-biochar controls with many biochars, primarily the SS and 55 blend and to a lesser extent with 82 followed by PL, and then PC and SG, especially when grown in the Coxville soil. Biochar had more limited effects on carrot, sweet corn, and soybean weights. Some biochars decreased crop growth (e.g., PL at 700˚C) for soybean shoot and pod dry weights with the Norfolk soil. Shoot N concentrations decreased with SS, 55, and 82 for carrot, lettuce, and sweet corn with the Norfolk soil but tended to increase for soybean. Shoot N uptake increased or decreased depending on biochar feedstock and temperature, crop, and soil. These results confirm that biochar can increase crop growth and affect shoot N, which is essential for crop growth.

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Pine Woodchip Biochar Impact on Soil Nutrient Concentrations and Corn Yield in a Silt Loam in the Mid-Southern U.S.

Cited by 29 publications

References 37 publications

Biochar and manure amendments impact soil nutrients and microbial enzymatic activities in a semi-arid irrigated maize cropping system

Biochar and manure amendments impact soil nutrients and microbial enzymatic activities in a semi-arid irrigated maize cropping system

Biochars from local agricultural waste residues contribute to soil quality and plant growth in a Cerrado region (Brazil) Arenosol

Biochar affects growth and shoot nitrogen in four crops for two soils

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