The 'Terra Preta' phenomenon: a model for sustainable agriculture in the humid tropics

Glaser, Bruno; Haumaier, Ludwig; Guggenberger, Georg; Zech, Wolfgang

doi:10.1007/s001140000193

Cited by 901 publications

(659 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Modification of soil pH, in addition to the gross addition of these elements (Glaser et al 2002;Ghosh et al 2012), from the organic amendments might therefore have enhanced available nutrient concentrations in the soil. Organic amendments and particularly biochar have also been demonstrated to modify exchange behavior in soils (e.g., (Glaser et al 2000(Glaser et al , 2001. The higher surface area of biochar has particularly been demonstrated to enhance the soil's capacity to provide plant nutrients (N, P, K) (Nigussie et al 2012), all of which we observed in the soil and was reflected in the higher foliar concentrations reported earlier.…”

Section: Effects On Soilssupporting

confidence: 56%

Influence of biochar and compost on soil properties and tree growth in a tropical urban environment

Ghosh

Wilson

2014

Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Research relating to the use of organic amendments on soils has focused largely on agricultural soils, and there is a lack of information worldwide on their efficacy as amendments for urban soil management, especially in tropical urban environments. A pot experiment was conducted to assess the influence of biochar and organic compost on urban soil properties and on tree growth performance in Singapore. Biochar and compost were mixed with topsoil in different proportions, and two urban tree species commonly grown in Singapore (Samanea saman and Suregada multiflora) were used. There were significant additional height increments for both the tree species following application of biochar. S. saman exhibited greater stem elongation compared with S. multiflora in response to organic amendments. A significantly higher foliar N content was found in both tree species in biocharamended treatments along with significant increases in P and K. Increases in soil nutrient concentrations were also observed in combined biochar-compost treatments for both species. Combined compost and biochar had the strongest effects on soils and growth of the two urban tree species examined and applications containing biochar resulted in the most significant soil improvements.

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Section: Effects On Soilssupporting

confidence: 56%

Influence of biochar and compost on soil properties and tree growth in a tropical urban environment

Ghosh

Wilson

2014

Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol.

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“…Despite methodological problems, there is evidence for black soils having been formed as a result of black carbon incorporation in soils through vegetation burning in Australia (Skjemstad et al, 1996(Skjemstad et al, , 1997 and Africa (Kuhlbusch et al, 1996) or through the accumulation of hear thashes in Amazonian Brazil (Terra Preta; Glaser et al, 2001). Although the processes of incorporation and colouring are not yet clearly understood, soil colour (lightness) and amount of aromatic carbon, typical for black carbon, correlate (Spielvogel et al, 2004).…”

Section: Charred Organic Matter As Colouring Agentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pedogenesis of Chernozems in Central Europe — A review

Gerlach²,

et al. 2007

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Since Dokuchaev's investigations of Russian Chernozems, Central European Chernozems were established as steppe soils, with their pedogenesis dominated by humus accumulation as a result of dry continental climate and steppe vegetation, with carbonaceous parent material and bioturbation as other prerequisites. The WRB-FAO classification defined Chernozems by their morphological characteristics, but was biased by the climo-genetic formation model. However, the assumption that modern Central European Chernozems are relics of steppe soils conflicts with palaeobotanical evidence from an early reforestation that started in the Late Glacial, and also with pedological studies that dated Chernozem formation to the Early Holocene. In this review we compile the most important literature on pedogenesis of Central European Chernozems since the 1920s, according to the soil forming factors climate, time, vegetation, relief and man. Our review demonstrates that there is no consensus on the factors controlling the formation, conservation and degradation of Central European Chernozems in published literature. We found that (1) no absolute time of formation could be stated so far, and that (2) Central European Chernozems formed not only under steppe but also under forest vegetation; (3) the spatial distribution of Chernozems and Phaeozems did not correlate with climate conditions or topographic position, and (4) until now no other factors were considered to be responsible for Chernozem development. Recent studies showed that these unknown factors could include anthropogenic activity and vegetation burning as they could form black soils or strongly affect the composition of soil organic matter. We concluded that not all soils classified as Chernozems in Central Europe are steppe soils and thus, as they do not necessarily reflect past climate, the classification may be misleading. Pedogenesis of Chernozems inCentral Europe -A review Eileen Eckmeier a AbstractSince Dokuchaev's investigations of Russian Chernozems, Central European Chernozems were established as steppe soils, with their pedogenesis dominated by humus accumulation as a result of dry continental climate and steppe vegetation, with carbonaceous parent material and bioturbation as other prerequisites. The WRB-FAO classification defined Chernozems by their morphological characteristics, but was biased by the climo-genetic formation model. However, the assumption that modern Central European Chernozems are relics of steppe soils conflicts with palaeobotanical evidence from an early reforestation that started in the Late Glacial, and also with pedological studies that dated Chernozem formation to the Early Holocene.In this review we compile the most important literature on pedogenesis of Central European Chernozems since the 1920s, according to the soil forming factors climate, time, vegetation, relief and man.Our review demonstrates that there is no consensus on the factors controlling the formation, conservation and degradation of Central European Chernozems in pub...

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“…In Australia (Skjemstad et al, 1996) and South America (Glaser et al, 2001) it was shown that fire management practice could form black soils. In Australia, black soils formed in areas regularly burnt by aborigines, whereas adjacent, forested areas had grey soils.…”

Section: Are the Luvic Phaeozems And Associated Pits Uniformly Distrimentioning

confidence: 99%

Prehistoric alteration of soil in the Lower Rhine Basin, Northwest Germany—archaeological, 14C and geochemical evidence

Gerlach¹,

Baumewerd-Schmidt

Borg

et al. 2006

Geoderma

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The 'Terra Preta' phenomenon: a model for sustainable agriculture in the humid tropics

Cited by 901 publications

References 25 publications

Influence of biochar and compost on soil properties and tree growth in a tropical urban environment

Influence of biochar and compost on soil properties and tree growth in a tropical urban environment

Pedogenesis of Chernozems in Central Europe — A review

Prehistoric alteration of soil in the Lower Rhine Basin, Northwest Germany—archaeological, 14C and geochemical evidence

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