Impact of biochar addition to soil on greenhouse gas emissions following pig manure application

The application of biochar produced from wood and crop residues, such as sawdust, straw, sugar bagasse and rice hulls, to highly weathered soils under tropical conditions has been shown to influence soil greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, there is a lack of data concerning GHG emissions from soils amended with biochar derived from manure, and from soils outside tropical and subtropical regions. The objective of this study was to quantify the effect on emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂), nitrous oxide (N₂O) and methane (CH₄) following the addition, at a rate of 18 t ha⁻¹, of two different types of biochar to an Irish tillage soil. A soil column experiment was designed to compare three treatments (n = 8): (1) non-amended soil (2) soil mixed with biochar derived from the separated solid fraction of anaerobically digested pig manure and (3) soil mixed with biochar derived from Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis). The soil columns were incubated at 10 °C and 75% relative humidity, and leached with 80 mL distilled water, twice per week. Following 10 weeks of incubation, pig manure, equivalent to 170 kg nitrogen ha⁻¹ and 36 kg phosphorus ha⁻¹, was applied to half of the columns in each treatment (n = 4). Gaseous emissions were analysed for 28 days following manure application. Biochar addition to the soil increased N₂O emissions in the pig manure-amended column, most likely as a result of increased denitrification caused by higher water filled pore space and organic carbon (C) contents. Biochar addition to soil also increased CO₂ emissions. This was caused by increased rates of C mineralisation in these columns, either due to mineralisation of the labile C added with the biochar, or through increased mineralisation of the soil organic matter.     

Effect of different biochar and fertilizer types on N2O and NO emissions

The use of biochar as soil improver and climate change mitigation strategy has gained much attention, although at present the effects of biochar on soil properties and greenhouse gas emissions are not completely understood. The objective of our incubation study was to investigate biochar's effect on N₂O and NO emissions from an agricultural Luvisol upon fertilizer (urea, NH₄Cl or KNO₃) application. Seven biochar types were used, which were produced from four different feedstocks pyrolyzed at various temperatures. At the end of the experiment, after 14 days of incubation, soil nitrate concentrations were decreased upon biochar addition in all fertilizer treatments by 6–16%. Biochar application decreased both cumulative N₂O (52–84%) and NO (47–67%) emissions compared to a corresponding treatment without biochar after urea and nitrate fertilizer application, and only NO emissions after ammonium application. N₂O emissions were more decreased at high compared to low pyrolysis temperature.Several hypotheses for our observations exist, which were assessed against current literature and discussed thoroughly. In our study, the decreased N₂O and NO emissions are expected to be mediated by multiple interacting phenomena such as stimulated NH₃ volatilization, microbial N immobilization, non-electrostatic sorption of NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻, and biochar pH effects.     

Does soil amended with biochar and hydrochar reduce ammonia emissions following the application of pig slurry?

Combining amendments to the soil made by biochar or hydrochar with nitrogen (N) fertilizer can modify soil N dynamics and availability. Such a response suggests that these amendments would affect ammonia (NH₃) emissions from slurry similarly, and potentially reduce volatilization of NH₃. This study measured the potential emissions of NH₃ following application of pig slurry to the surface of silt‐loam and loam soils amended with biochar and hydrochar (both derived from Miscanthus × giganteus (Greef et Deu)) at a rate of 3% soil dry weight (16 t ha^?1 soil area, on average) and 60% water‐filled pore space (WFPS). The experiment was carried out in a dynamic chamber connected to a photo‐acoustic trace gas analyser in a controlled climate (20°C) for 48 hours. Statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) in total emissions were observed between both treatment and soil types. Surprisingly, both amendments increased emissions of NH₃ compared with the control; cumulative NH₃ emissions averaged 38.7 and 23.5% of applied total ammonium nitrogen (TAN) for hydrochar and biochar, respectively, whereas it was 18.2% for the control. The larger emissions in hydrochar‐amended soil were attributed to the reduced ability to absorb NH₄⁺ associated with greater hydrophobicity and strong pH buffering of the slurry. Furthermore, final soil analyses with deionised water extracts showed significant differences (P < 0.05) in mineral N concentration between treatments. The smaller ammonium concentrations in biochar‐amended soil suggest that some NH₄⁺‐N was immobilized by adsorption on to biochar surfaces. This study observed that biochar and hydrochar properties, as well as soil characteristics, play important roles in controlling NH₃ emissions from surface slurry applications. The results obtained identified circumstances where these amendments even enhance volatilization, which provides new information on and insight into the extent and limitations of the potential of biochar and hydrochar for the mitigation of emissions.     

Soil greenhouse gas emissions,organic carbon and crop yield following pinewood biochar and biochar–manure applications at eroded and depositional landscape positions: A field trial in South Dakota,USA

Soil amendments can help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and increase soil organic carbon (SOC) and crop yield. However, most biochar studies have been conducted on single soil type under controlled conditions. To address this limitation, the aim of this research was to investigate how field biochar and manure applications affect soil quality, plant productivity, and GHG emissions at eroded (sandy loam) and depositional (clay loam) positions in a climate transition zone (udic to ustic and mesic to frigid temperature). A field study was established in 2013 in South Dakota, USA, under a corn–soya bean rotation. Soil treatments included biochar, manure, a manure and biochar mixture, and a control (untreated soil). Soil properties (pH, electrical conductivity (EC), SOC, available nitrogen, available phosphorus and available potassium) were measured in 2017. Plant productivity parameters in 2016 and 2017 and GHG fluxes were measured during the 2016 and 2017 growing seasons. Compared with the control, SOC increased under all treatments at the eroded position (biochar 26%, manure 24%, and manure–biochar mixture 15%) and increased under biochar (25%) and the manure–biochar mixture (25%) at the depositional position. Plant parameters were similar under all treatments at both positions. Area-scaled CO₂ fluxes were lower in soils treated with biochar compared with the control at the eroded landscape position but not at the depositional landscape position. Area-scaled N₂O fluxes were lower in soils treated with biochar at both positions. Furthermore, the biochar–manure mixture treatment emitted lower area-scaled N₂O fluxes compared with manure alone at both positions. This study suggests that for eroded and depositional landscape positions, biochar can improve soil organic carbon and the effects of the biochar and biochar–manure mixture on GHG emissions vary based on the soil texture.     

Combined effects of nitrogen deposition and biochar application on emissions of N2O,CO2 and NH3 from agricultural and forest soils

Abstract

Both nitrogen (N) deposition and biochar can affect the emissions of nitrous oxide (N₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂) and ammonia (NH₃) from different soils. Here, we have established a simulated wet N deposition experiment to investigate the effects of N deposition and biochar addition on N₂O and CO₂ emissions and NH₃ volatilization from agricultural and forest soils. Repacked soil columns were subjected to six N deposition events over a 1-year period. N was applied at rates of 0 (N0), 60 (N60), and 120 (N120) kg Nh a^?1 yr^?1 without or with biochar (0 and 30 t ha^?1 yr^?1). For agricultural soil, adding N increased cumulative N₂O emissions by 29.8% and 99.1% (p < 0.05) from the N60 and N120 treatments, respectively as compared to without N treatments, and N120 emitted 53.4% more (p < 0.05) N₂O than the N60 treatment; NH₃ volatilization increased by 33.6% and 91.9% (p < 0.05) from the N60 and N120 treatments, respectively, as compared to without N treatments, and N120 emitted 43.6% more (p < 0.05) NH₃ than N60; cumulative CO₂ emissions were not influenced by N addition. For forest soil, adding N significantly increased cumulative N₂O emissions by 141.2% (p < 0.05) and 323.0% (p < 0.05) from N60 and N120 treatments, respectively, as compared to without N treatments, and N120 emitted 75.4% more (p < 0.05) N₂O than N60; NH₃ volatilization increased by 39.0% (p < 0.05) and 56.1% (p < 0.05) from the N60 and N120 treatments, respectively, as compared to without N treatments, and there was no obvious difference between N120 and N60 treatments; cumulative CO₂ emissions were not influenced by N addition. Biochar amendment significantly (p < 0.05) decreased cumulative N₂O emissions by 20.2% and 25.5% from agricultural and forest soils, respectively, and increased CO₂ emissions slightly by 7.2% and NH₃ volatilization obviously by 21.0% in the agricultural soil, while significantly decreasing CO₂ emissions by 31.5% and NH₃ volatilization by 22.5% in the forest soil. These results suggest that N deposition would strengthen N₂O and NH₃ emissions and have no effect on CO₂ emissions in both soils, and treatments receiving the higher N rate at N120 emitted obviously more N₂O and NH₃ than the lower rate at N60. Under the simulated N deposition circumstances, biochar incorporation suppressed N₂O emissions in both soils, and produced contrasting effects on CO₂ and NH₃ emissions, being enhanced in the agricultural soil while suppressed in the forest soil.     

Effect of biochar and nitrogen fertilizers on maize seedling growth and enzyme activity relating to nitrification

Maximizing nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) involves synchronizing the interplay between nitrogen preferential crops and the nitrogen transformation pathways of soil. Biochar may benefit specific N-preference crops in relatively unsuitable soil environments; however, experimental data are lacking. This study tested eight treatments, consisting of four nitrogen treatments (N0 = control; N1 = NH₄Cl; N2 = NaNO₃; and N3 = 1:1 ratio of NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻) each with biochar applied at 0% or 2% (w/w). The results show that biochar and/or nitrogen application enhanced maize seedling biomass and NO₃⁻-based fertilizer resulted in higher seedling biomass than NH₄⁺-based fertilizer. With the application of biochar and NH₄⁺-based fertilizer, maize seedling biomass increased and soil NH₄⁺-N content was significantly reduced compared with NH₄Cl sole application. Correlation analysis and redundancy analysis revealed that SOC content and inorganic nitrogen content were the main factors influencing maize growth and N absorption. Biochar with or without nitrogen fertilizer (except N1 treatment) significantly increased β-1,4-glucosidase (BG) activity. Co-application treatments also resulted in higher vector length, an indicator of C limitation—the increment might add to the risk of microbial C limitation. The activity of ammonia monooxygenase (AMO), a key enzyme in nitrification, decreased with the co-application of biochar and nitrogen, suggesting the alteration of nitrogen transformation.     

Combining the phosphate solubilizing microorganisms with biochar types in order to improve safflower yield and soil enzyme activity

ABSTRACT

Soil amendment with biochar could increase soil microbial activity and biomass. This study contributes to an understanding of the synergistic effects of biochar and phosphate solubilizing microorganisms on safflower yield and soil microbial activity enhancement. In the split plot experiments that repeated in two years, the main factor was biochar types included cow manure, wheat straw, wood biochar and control. The sub factors were phosphate solubilizing microorganisms included the mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus etunicatum and G. mosseae), Bacillus lentus, Pseudomonas fluorescence and control. The highest levels of dehydrogenase, urease activity and microbial biomass carbon were obtained from the cow manure biochar. The maximum activity of acid phosphatase was in the plots inoculated by P. fluorescence in all treatments, whether using or not using biochar. The grain yield of plants inoculated with B. lentus and P. fluorescence was in the same statistical group. The highest grain yield equal to 1527 kg/ha was obtained when using cow manure biochar. According to the results, the application of cow manure biochar and phosphate solubilizing microorganisms, especially mycorrhiza species, can be recommended for improving soil biological traits and safflower yield traits.     

Effects of option mitigating ammonia volatilization on CH4 and N2O emissions from a paddy field fertilized with anaerobically digested cattle slurry

A lysimeter experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of the NH₃ volatilization mitigation by adding anaerobically digested cattle slurry (ADCS) alone, with wood vinegar (WV) or with a higher level of floodwater (HFW), on emissions of CH₄ and N₂O from a paddy soil planted with fodder rice. We have carried out the following treatments: (1) chemical fertilizer, (2) ADCS, (3) ADCS + WV, and (4) ADCS + HFW; the height of floodwater was 10 cm in the latter treatment, and it was 3 to 4 cm in the other treatments just before fertilizer applications. Nitrogen fertilizer rate added to soil in each treatment was 30 g NH₄⁺–N m⁻² (split in one basal and two top-dressing additions). Ammonia volatilization in the ADCS treatment was 2.7 g NH₃–N m⁻² throughout the growing season, and it was significantly reduced by 79% and 55% in the ADCS + WV and ADCS + HFW treatments, respectively. The total amount of CH₄ emitted in the ADCS treatment in the growing season was not significantly enhanced by the mitigation of NH₃ volatilization either by adding wood vinegar or by increasing the height of the floodwater. Negligible N₂O emissions were observed in all treatments during the growing period.     

Nutrient cycling and greenhouse gas emissions from soil amended with biochar-manure mixtures

Integrating biochar into cattle diets has recently emerged as a potential management practice for improving on-farm productivity.Yet,information concerning the cycling of biochar-manure mixtures is scarce.A 70-d incubation experiment was conducted within two surface(0–15 cm)Mollisols with contrasting textures,i.e.,sandy clay loam(Raymond)and clayey(Lethbridge),to evaluate the effects of biochar(3 Mg ha^-1)on cumulative greenhouse gas(GHG)emissions and related fertility attributes in the presence or absence of cattle manure(120 Mg ha^-1).Five treatments were included:i)non-amended soil(control,CK),ii)soil amended with pinewood biochar(B),iii)soil amended with beef cattle manure(M)(manure from cattle on a control diet),iv)soil amended with biochar-manure(BM)(manure from cattle on a control diet,with pinewood biochar added at 20 g kg^-1of diet dry matter),and v)soil amended with B and M at the aforementioned rates(B+M).A total of 40 soil columns were prepared and incubated at 21℃and 60%–80%water-holding capacity.On average,total CO₂fluxes increased by 2.2-and 3.8-fold under manure treatments(i.e.,M,BM,and B+M),within Raymond and Lethbridge soils,respectively,relative to CK and B.Similarly,total CH4 fluxes were the highest(P<0.05)in Raymond soil under B+M and BM relative to CK and B,and in Lethbridge soil under M and BM relative to CK and B.In Lethbridge soil,application of BM increased cumulative N₂O emissions by 1.8-fold relative to CK.After 70-d incubation,amendment with BM increased(P<0.05)PO_4-P and NO_3-N+NH_4-N availability in Raymond and Lethbridge soils compared with B.A similar pattern was observed for water-extractable organic carbon in both soils,with BM augmenting(P<0.05)the occurrence of labile carbon over CK and B.It can be concluded that biochar,manure,and/or biochar-manure have contrasting short-term effects on the biogeochemistry of Mollisols.At relatively low application rates,biochar does not necessarily counterbalance manure-derived inputs.Although BM did not mitigate the flux of GHGs over M,biochar-manure has the potential to recycle soil nutrients in semiarid drylands.     

Effects of biochar,earthworms, and litter addition on soil microbial activity and abundance in a temperate agricultural soil

Biochar application to arable soils could be effective for soil C sequestration and mitigation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Soil microorganisms and fauna are the major contributors to GHG emissions from soil, but their interactions with biochar are poorly understood. We investigated the effects of biochar and its interaction with earthworms on soil microbial activity, abundance, and community composition in an incubation experiment with an arable soil with and without N-rich litter addition. After 37 days of incubation, biochar significantly reduced CO₂ (up to 43 %) and N₂O (up to 42 %), as well as NH₄ ⁺-N and NO₃ ^?-N concentrations, compared to the control soils. Concurrently, in the treatments with litter, biochar increased microbial biomass and the soil microbial community composition shifted to higher fungal-to-bacterial ratios. Without litter, all microbial groups were positively affected by biochar × earthworm interactions suggesting better living conditions for soil microorganisms in biochar-containing cast aggregates after the earthworm gut passage. However, assimilation of biochar-C by earthworms was negligible, indicating no direct benefit for the earthworms from biochar uptake. Biochar strongly reduced the metabolic quotient qCO₂ and suppressed the degradation of native SOC, resulting in large negative priming effects (up to 68 %). We conclude that the biochar amendment altered microbial activity, abundance, and community composition, inducing a more efficient microbial community with reduced emissions of CO₂ and N₂O. Earthworms affected soil microorganisms only in the presence of biochar, highlighting the need for further research on the interactions of biochar with soil fauna.     

Application of biochar to soil and N2O emissions: potential effects of blending fast‐pyrolysis biochar with anaerobically digested slurry

Soil applications of recalcitrant biochar offer the possibility of mitigating climate change effects through long‐term carbon sequestration and potentially also by reducing emissions of the potent greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N₂O). This laboratory study examined the effect of combining a fast‐pyrolysis biochar at small (1% by mass) and large (3%) concentrations with anaerobically digested slurry on soil N₂O and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions over a period of 55 days. The results showed that fast‐pyrolysis biochar applied on its own increased N₂O emissions from soil. However, when biochar was applied together with slurry, the larger biochar concentration decreased N₂O emissions by 47%, relative to those from the slurry treatment with the smaller biochar concentration. Reduced N₂O emissions coincided with enhanced soil microbial activity and immobilization of nitrogen. A combined application of biochar and anaerobic digested slurry could therefore be beneficial for cropping systems in terms of soil nitrogen retention while concurrently mitigating N₂O fluxes and sequestering carbon in soil.     

Application of hydrochar and pyrochar to manure is not effective for mitigation of ammonia emissions from cattle slurry and poultry manure

Nitrogen (N) loss as ammonia (NH₃) from agricultural systems is one of the major sources of atmospheric pollutants and is responsible for more than 50% of global NH₃ emissions. Ammonia volatilization from animal manures may be altered by amendment with chars derived from pyrolysis (pyrochars) or hydrothermal carbonization (hydrochars) by providing exchange sites for ammonium (NH₄⁺) or changing the pH of manure. Pyrochar and hydrochar differ in chemical and structural composition, specific surface area, and pH and therefore may affect NH₃ volatilization differently. In a laboratory incubation experiment, we investigated the effect of pyrochar (pH 9.0) and hydrochar (pH 3.8) from Miscanthus on NH₃ emission after addition to poultry manure and cattle slurry. We analyzed manure treatments with and without char addition and acidification and determined the effect of char addition on immobilization of manure-derived NH₄⁺. Ammonia emission from pure poultry manure amounted 84% of the applied NH₄⁺-N, while 67% of the applied NH₄⁺-N was lost as NH₃ from cattle slurry. Addition of pyrochar or hydrochar had no or only marginal effects on NH₃ emissions except for a reduction in NH₃ emissions by 19% due to hydrochar application to CS (p?<?0.05), which seems to be primarily related to the char pH. Sorption of NH₄⁺ by admixture of chars to manure was generally small: between 0.1- and 0.5-mg NH₄⁺-N g^?1 chars were sorbed. This corresponds to between 0.1 and 3.5% of the NH₄⁺ applied, which obviously was not strong enough to reduce emissions of NH₃. Overall, our results do not provide evidence that addition of pyrochar or hydrochar to cattle slurry and poultry manure is an effective measure to reduce NH₃ volatilization.     

Wood ash effects on chemical and microbiological properties of digestate- and manure-amended soils

A field study was carried out to evaluate the potential of wood ash as a fertilizer in grassland systems in combination with enriched N organic wastes. Six treatments including manure or digestate, each combined with wood ash at 0, 1, and 3 t?ha^?1 were spread onto the soil to an amount equivalent to 120 kg?N ha^?1. Three soil samplings and one cutting was carried out within one growing season (3 months). A higher pH value was found in manure-treated plots, the pH rise being proportional to the amount of wood ash added. Those plots amended with digestate were characterized by a larger content of total C, NH₄ ⁺, and total P (TP) regardless of the amount of ashes. Microbial activity, assessed by basal respiration and microbial biomass carbon of the differently treated soils, was not affected neither by the nature of the organic waste nor by the amount of wood ash added. However, amending soil with digestate resulted in a more efficient soil microbial community, as shown by the lower values of the metabolic quotient. Such effects were accompanied by a higher percentage of plant cover, particularly of leguminous plants in digestate-treated plots. The time of sampling (seasonal effects) was found to influence the soil pH and electrical conductivity (EC), as well as the nutrient content (total N, NH₄ ⁺, and NO₃ ^?). Overall, the combined use of wood ash and biogas digestate can constitute an efficient way for the disposal and recycling of both products and additionally, it may constitute an environmentally friendly alternative to mineral fertilizers for acid soils.     

Short-term N availability in response to dissolved-organic-carbon from poultry manure, alone or in combination with cellulose

 Short-term changes in N availability in a sandy soil in response to the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from a poultry manure (application rate equivalent to approximately 250 kg N ha^–1) were evaluated in a 44-day aerobic incubation experiment. The treatments included poultry manure alone and two treatments in which an extra source of C, of low water solubility, was added with the poultry manure in the form of a low (1.05 g kg^–1) and a high (4.22 g kg^–1) amount of cellulose. All treatments were fertilised with the equivalent of 60 kg N ha^–1 of (¹⁵NH₄)₂SO₄ in solution. A control treatment consisted of sieved field-moist soil plus 60 kg N ha^–1 of (¹⁵NH₄)₂SO₄ in solution. Measurements were made of N₂O and CO₂ emissions, inorganic N, DOC, biomass N, biomass C and labelled N contained in the inorganic N and biomass N pools. The dynamics of N turnover in this study were driven mainly by processes of mineralisation–immobilisation with little significant loss of N by volatilisation or denitrification. The DOC supplied with the poultry manure played a more important role in N₂O emissions than differences in C/N ratio. Changes in DOC and cumulative CO₂-C production during the first 11 days were also highly correlated (R ²=0.88–0.66, P<0.01). An initial net immobilisation of N, with significant increases in biomass C and biomass N (P<0.05) for all treatments over the control at day 11, indicated a high availability of C from the DOC fraction. The presence of additional C from the applied cellulose did not enable a massive N immobilisation. Total inorganic N and unlabelled inorganic N concentrations were highest in soils treated with poultry manure alone (P<0.05), indicating that an active gross mineralisation of the added poultry manure and a possible positive priming effect were taking place during the incubation. Received: 29 May 1998     

Influence of nitrogen fertilizer forms and crop straw biochars on soil exchange properties and maize growth on an acidic Ultisol

Effects of repeated application of urea (UN) and calcium nitrate (CN) singly and together with crop straw biochars on soil acidity and maize growth were investigated with greenhouse pot experiments for two consecutive seasons. Canola straw biochar (CB), peanut straw biochar (PB) and wheat straw biochar (WB) were applied at 1% of dried soil weight in the first season. N fertilizers were applied at 200 mg N kg^?1. In UN treatments, an initial rise in pH was subjected to proton consumption through urea hydrolysis, afterwards nitrification of NH₄⁺ caused drastic reductions in pH as single UN had soil pH of 3.70, even lower than control (4.27) after the 2nd crop season. Post-harvest soil analyses indicated that soil pH, soil exchangeable acidity, NH₄⁺, NO₃^? and total base cations showed highly significant variation under N and biochar types (P < 0.05). Articulated growth of plants under combined application with biochars was expressed by 22.7%, 22.5%, and 35.7% higher root and 25.6%, 23.8%, and 35.9% higher shoot biomass by CB, PB and WB combined with CN over UN, respectively. Therefore, CN combined with biochars is a better choice to correct soil acidity and improve maize growth than UN combined with biochars.     

生物炭改性黏土的渗水渗气特性及其函数关系

黏土中施加生物炭可改变土体的孔隙结构。生物炭掺量和干密度均会对土体的渗透系数产生影响,准确确定生物炭-黏土混合土的渗透系数对满足填埋场上覆层的功能需求就显得格外重要。采用自主研发设计的柔性壁水-气联合渗透测试装置,测定不同生物炭掺量和干密度的生物炭-黏土混合土的饱和渗透系数和渗气系数,得到生物炭掺量、干密度与渗气系数和渗水系数间的关系曲线。建立生物炭掺量和干密度双变化条件下的渗气渗水函数,并通过验证组验证该函数的适用性。研究结果表明：在干密度较小时,对比纯黏土的渗水率,添加5%、10%、15%和20%生物炭处理后的土样渗水系数k_w值分别为8.25×10^-17、8.89×10^-17、10.40×10^-17和18.25×10^-17 m²,掺20%生物炭土样的渗透率增加了将近一个数量级。渗气渗水函数基于易测定的渗气率作为自变量,同时又考虑了干密度和生物炭掺量的影响,能快速、准确地确定土样的渗水系数。结合验证组试验得出,利用该函数计算得到的渗水系数和试验实测值吻合程度较好,表明该函数具有一定的适用性。本研究结果可为快速、准确确定渗水系数,定量描述非饱和土孔隙中水气运动之间的相互影响提供理论支撑。     

不同生物炭对中国亚热带地区湿地松生长、氮肥利用率、土壤N2O和CH4排放以及碳变化的影响

Intensive management of planted forests may result in soil degradation and decline in timber yield with successive rotations.Biochars may be beneficial for plant production,nutrient uptake and greenhouse gas mitigation.Biochar properties vary widely and are known to be highly dependent on feedstocks,but their effects on planted forest ecosystem are elusive.This study investigated the effects of chicken manure biochar,sawdust biochar and their feedstocks on 2-year-old Pinus elliottii growth,fertilizer N use efficiency (NUE),soil N2O and CH4 emissions,and C storage in an acidic forest soil in a subtropical area of China for one year.The soil was mixed with materials in a total of 8 treatments:non-amended control (CK);sawdust at 2.16 kg m-2 (SD);chicken manure at 1.26 kg m-2 (CM);sawdust biochar at 2.4 kg m-2 (SDB);chicken manure biochar at 2.4 kg m-2 (CMB);15N-fertilizer alone (10.23 atom％ 15N) (NF);sawdust biochar at 2.4 kg m-2 plus 15N-fertilizer (SDBN) and chicken manure biochar at 2.4 kg m-2 plus 15N-fertilizer (CMBN).Results showed that the CMB treatment increased P.elliottii net primary production (aboveground biomass plus litterfall) and annual net C fixation (ANCF) by about 180％ and 157％,respectively,while the the SDB treatment had little effect on P.elliottii growth.The 15N stable isotope labelling technique revealed that fertilizer NUE was 22.7％ in CK,25.5％ in the NF treatment,and 37.0％ in the CMB treatment.Chicken manure biochar significantly increased soil pH,total N,total P,total K,available P and available K.Only 2％ of the N in chicken manure biochar was available to the tree.The soil N2O emission and CH4 uptake showed no significant differences among the treatments.The apparent C losses from the SD and CM treatments were 35％ and 61％,respectively;while those from the CMB and SDB treatments were negligible.These demonstrated that it is crucial to consider biochar properties while evaluating their effects on plant growth and C sequestration.     

界面阻隔材料对稻田产量、氮肥利用率和氨挥发排放的影响

氨挥发是稻田氮素损失的一个重要途径,有效控制稻田氨挥发对水稻增产减排具有重要意义。界面阻隔材料具有环境友好性和低成本的特点,可以作为一种截然不同的氨挥发减排方法。本研究比较分析了3种界面阻隔材料对水稻产量、氮肥利用率和氨挥发排放的影响,以期为水稻降本增效及减少环境污染提供技术支持。通过在稻田喷施表面分子膜材料和覆盖稻糠,比较了两种表面分子膜材料——聚乳酸(PLA)和卵磷脂(LEC)及稻糠(RB)施用后水稻产量及其构成、稻田田面水pH和铵态氮及硝态氮含量动态、稻田氨挥发及氮肥吸收利用的变化特征。结果表明, 3种界面阻隔材料均显著增加了水稻产量,与常规施肥对照(CKU,无添加界面阻隔材料)相比增幅分别为13.0%(RB)、21.0%(PLA)和24.1%(LEC)。增产主要是因为有效穗数的增加,其中RB和PLA处理与CKU处理差异达显著水平;每穗粒数和结实率均无显著差异。LEC处理显著提高了氮肥利用率(19.0%),但RB处理氮肥利用率显著低于CKU。与CKU处理相比,3种界面阻隔材料的添加减少12.3%～19.9%的氨挥发量。PLA处理氨挥发减排效果最佳,达显著水平;其次为LEC处理。氨挥发减排可能与界面阻隔材料添加导致的田面水pH、铵态氮浓度变化和土壤铵态氮含量的增加有关。与CKU处理相比,所有处理均增加了田面水铵态氮浓度,但同时降低了田面水pH,且在水稻分蘖期影响较明显。其中PLA处理还提高了土壤铵态氮含量。本研究表明,稻田施加界面阻隔材料是稻田氨挥发减排以及增产增效的另一种可行的技术途径。     

Effects of compost,biochar and manure on carbon mineralization of biogas residues applied to soil

Biogas residues contain microbial biomass, which contributes to the formation of soil organic matter. Whether the potential of biogas residues to increase soil organic matter can be enhanced by co‐application with compost, biochar or manure is unknown, however. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the effects of co‐amendment on the mineralization of biogas residues, carbon dioxide emissions and the carbon flow within the microbial food web. We determined the fate of ¹³C‐labelled microbial biomass present in biogas residues applied together with compost, biochar and manure to soil, by analysing CO₂ and biomarker phospholipid fatty acids. Although the rate of mineralization constant of the slowly degrading carbon pool was not affected by co‐amendments, co‐amendment with manure resulted in a larger rate of mineralization constant of the readily degrading carbon pool of biogas residues. The incorporation of carbon was mainly to Gram‐negative biomass and was the smallest with manure co‐amendment, which indicated differences in bioavailability of the carbon source.     

Biochar addition mitigates nitrogen loss induced by straw incorporation and nitrogen fertilizer application

Biochar has been shown to be potentially beneficial for enhancing yields and soil properties, and diminishing nitrogen (N) losses. However, it remains unclear how biochar regulates soil carbon (C) and N to mitigate N losses induced by straw mixing with N fertilizer in dryland soils. Therefore, we investigated the effects of straw mixing (S₁), S₁ with biochar (SB) and no straw inputs (S₀), and routine urea application rates (N₁) and 70% of routine rates (N_0.7) on yields and N losses, and identify the relationship between N losses and soil C and N compounds. Results showed that N_0.7 and N₁ were suitable for the maize and wheat seasons, respectively, contributing to mitigating N losses without reducing crop yields. Moreover, in the maize season, N_0.7-SB significantly mitigated the straw-induced NH₃-N and N₂O-N emissions by 106% and 81%, respectively. In the wheat season, N₁-SB reduced the straw-induced NH₃-N and N₂O-N emissions by 35% and 66%, respectively. In addition, N_0.7-SB sharply reduced soil inorganic N (SIN) storage in the maize season. Furthermore, the NH₃-N and N₂O-N emission rates were negatively correlated with dissolved organic carbon/SIN content (0–20 cm) (DOC/SIN_0-20). N losses (N₂O-N and NH₃-N emissions and SIN storage) were positively correlated with SIN_0-20, but negatively correlated with soil organic carbon / SIN_0-20 (SOC/ SIN_0-20). This study provides further evidence that biochar with an appropriate N application rate decreased SIN_0-20 and increased DOC/SIN_0-20, thus reducing SIN storage and the straw-induced gaseous N emissions without decreasing crop yields.