烟杆生物炭对砒砂岩与沙复配土壤理化性状及玉米生长的影响

为明确施用生物炭对砒砂岩与沙复配土壤水分保持及肥力提升的影响,采用盆栽试验,研究了不同生物炭施用量(0,10,20,30,50g/kg(以风干土计))对砒砂岩与沙复配土壤理化性状及玉米生长的影响。结果表明:在种植玉米一季后,施用生物炭可显著降低复配土壤容重,尤其当生物炭施用量达到30g/kg时,土壤容重可降低至1.37g/cm3,但当生物炭施用量增加到50g/kg时,土壤容重又出现增加的趋势;土壤田间持水量随生物炭施用量的增加呈显著增加趋势,但当施用量增加到50g/kg时又会出现下降趋势;土壤pH、全盐量随生物炭添加量的增加显著增加,尤其当生物炭添加量为50g/kg时,土壤pH可达8.80,全盐量可达2.51g/kg;土壤有机质、有效磷、速效钾含量也随生物炭施用量的增加而显著增加,但有效磷在生物炭施用量增加至50g/kg时出现下降趋势。进一步分析不同生物炭处理对玉米生物量的影响,发现玉米根干重、地上部分干重、百粒重、单株产量均随生物炭施用量的增加呈显著增加趋势,但当生物炭施用量增加到50g/kg时,上述各指标反而显著降低。生物炭对于砒砂岩与沙复配土壤理化性状、水分保持、肥力提升、作物生长及产量等诸多方面都有明显改善效果,在施用过程中需要注意使用量,在本试验条件下,生物炭推荐施用量为30g/kg干土。     

生物炭和炭基肥施用对绿地土壤性质及大叶罗勒生长特性的影响

城市绿地土壤理化性质退化是城市绿化景观效果提升的主要障碍因子,生物炭和炭基肥施用可有效提高农田土壤肥力和作物产量,但生物炭和炭基肥对城市绿地土壤肥力和绿化植物生长的影响目前还不明确。采用盆栽试验,分别设置生物炭和炭基肥添加0%、0.5%、1%、2%、4%和6%的处理,探究不同用量生物炭和炭基肥施用对绿地土壤物理、化学性质以及大叶罗勒生长的影响。结果表明,与对照相比,添加生物炭降低了土壤容重,而炭基肥对土壤容重影响较小。添加生物炭对土壤pH无显著影响,而添加炭基肥能显著降低土壤pH 0.23～1.09个单位;添加生物炭对土壤碱解氮无显著影响,而添加炭基肥显著增加土壤碱解氮含量4.78～53.55 mg/kg;生物炭和炭基肥均能显著增加土壤有效磷含量,增加幅度分别为1.26～6.05和1.11～8.51 mg/kg;生物炭和炭基肥增加土壤速效钾的幅度分别为22.6～326.9和43.2～174.7 mg/kg。添加生物炭和炭基肥后土壤阳离子交换量较对照分别升高了0.79～1.27和1.16～2.42 cmol/kg。与对照相比,炭基肥能提高大叶罗勒叶绿素含量,生物炭对大叶罗勒叶绿素含量无显著影响。生物炭添加量大于1%时大叶罗勒生物量显著增加,炭基肥添加量小于2%时大叶罗勒生物量显著增加。因此,添加生物炭具有改善绿地土壤物理性质;生物炭和炭基肥均能提高土壤保肥性,改善土壤性状;生物炭和炭基肥均能提高土壤速效氮磷钾养分含量;综合作物生长,推荐炭基肥用量不能超过1%,而生物炭改良园林土壤可与适量氮肥配合施用以增加绿化植物叶绿素含量和观     

生物质炭对黄棕壤理化性质及龙脑樟幼苗生长的影响

以南京林业大学下蜀林场黄棕壤为试验对象,采用室外盆栽试验,研究生物质炭不同施用量(炭土质量比0、1%、2%、4%)对黄棕壤理化性质及龙脑樟幼苗生长的影响。结果表明:生物质炭可有效改良黄棕壤物理性质,4%施用量改良效果最好,与仅施化肥处理相比,土壤总孔隙度、饱和持水量、毛管持水量和田间持水量显著提高,土壤容重显著降低(P0.05);施用生物质炭可显著提高土壤pH(P0.05),改善土壤酸碱性;生物质炭施用对土壤氮磷有效性影响显著(P0.05),低施用量下土壤碱解氮含量最高,高施用量下土壤有效磷含量最高。生物质炭1%施用量下,龙脑樟叶片产量最高(41.54 g),分别比对照和仅施化肥处理提高141.53%和11.16%;而苗高相对生长速率较仅施化肥处理显著降低6.79%,有利于矮化苗木。可见生物质炭改良土壤理化性质和促进苗木生长的最佳施用量并不相同。考虑到经济效益,1%的生物质炭施用量对龙脑樟叶片产量的提高较为适宜。     

施用生物炭对农田生态系统影响的研究进展

从施用生物炭对土壤理化性状、土壤生物、土壤碳截留、作物产量、温室气体排放的影响等方面,总结分析了施用生物炭对农田生态系统的影响。结果表明,施用生物炭能够改善土壤理化特性和微生物生境,提高养分利用率,但对作物的增产效应具有一定的不确定性。生物炭的稳定性对增加农田土壤碳截留有重要作用,其降解过程目前尚不清楚。添加生物炭影响土壤有机质分解即激发效应,但激发效应的方向和幅度的变异较大。在影响温室气体排放方面,施用生物炭能有效减少N2O排放,但对CO2和CH4的减排效应具有较大的不确定性,生物炭的性质、施用量、土壤类型和肥力状况等因素是导致这些不确定性的主要原因,今后应综合考虑以上因素开展长期定位试验,客观评价生物炭对农田生态系统功能的影响和作用。     

生物炭对砂质潮土养分及玉米产量的影响

为了探索生物炭对砂质潮土中低产田的改良效果,采用田间小区试验,设三个生物炭梯度8 thm-2、16 thm-2和32 t hm-2,研究了生物炭施用对砂质潮土养分,微生物数量及玉米产量的影响。结果表明:施生物炭后土壤含水量显著高于空白对照(P0.05),其中以32 thm-2施用量含水量最高,最高比不施生物炭对照(CK)高5.4%。施用生物炭显著增加了土壤pH值,施用量越大pH增加值越高,开花期后pH开始缓慢下降;施用生物炭土壤铵态氮含量总体变化不明显,硝态氮含量显著低于CK,施用量越高,硝态氮含量越低;施生物炭明显提高了土壤中速效钾含量(P0.05),而对速效磷影响较小,后期有降低土壤速效磷的趋势;各梯度施用生物炭对试验土壤细菌数量没有显著影响(P0.05),较大施用量16 t hm-2和32 t hm-2显著提高了真菌数量(P0.05)。施用生物炭16 thm-2和32 thm-2可显著提高玉米地上部干物质积累量和产量,二者之间差异不显著(P0.05)。     

谷壳源生物炭用量对水稻田控酸和钝化土壤镉活性的短期效应

为了探究谷壳源生物炭不同施用量对水稻田控酸和钝化土壤重金属镉活性的短期效应,本研究设置了谷壳源生物炭6个不同用量处理,分析测定土壤pH、水稻产量、土壤有效态镉含量、水稻植株茎和穗中的镉含量和土壤肥力的变化。结果表明,与CK相比,施用生物炭能有效提高土壤pH,提高了0.15～1.04个单位;当生物炭施用量为80 t·hm^–2时,对提高土壤pH效果更显著。施用生物炭能有效提高土壤的综合肥力,土壤全氮、全磷和全钾含量在生物炭施用量超过40 t·hm^–2后显著增加,增幅分别达8.62%～14.2%、19.6%～28.3%和11.9%～21.5%;有效磷、速效钾和有机质含量在生物炭施用量≥20 t·hm^–2时显著增加,增幅分别达34.6%～115%、70.9%～394%和29.3%～118%;当生物炭施用量超过20 t·hm^–2时,水解性氮含量显著降低,降幅为11.4%～22.1%。施用生物炭能有效降低土壤中的有效态镉及水稻植株茎、穗中的镉含量,当生物炭施用量≥20 t·hm^–2时,降幅...     

改善土壤理化性质和作物出苗率的最佳生物炭施用量

确定改善土壤理化性质和作物出苗率的最佳生物炭施用量，可为田间管理提供依据。以新疆盐碱土为研究对象，在生物炭施用量分别为0、10、50及100 t?hm-2条件下，开展了膜下滴灌田间小区试验，对比了生物炭施用量对土壤容重、温度、有机碳等理化性质和作物出苗率的影响，并进一步分析了作物出苗率与土壤理化性质的关系。结果表明，生物炭施用量增加显著降低了0~30 cm土层的容重，棉花和甜菜的土壤容重分别降低0~0.32和0.04~0.25 g?cm-3。与不施用处理比较，100 t?hm-2的生物炭施用量显著增加了棉花和甜菜不同生育期的5 cm地温，但10和50 t?hm-2的施用量只显著增加了棉花蕾期和铃期的5 cm地温。施用生物炭增加了棉花和甜菜的土壤有机碳含量，不区分年份和生育期增幅相应为0.98~13.2和0.66~12.1 g?kg-1；苗期和收获期（不区分年份和作物）增幅分别为1.20~7.43和0.66~13.2 g?kg-1，苗期各施用量下有机碳均显著增加，部分施用量下收获期的有机碳显著增加。随生物炭施用量增加，棉花和甜菜的出苗率先增加后减小。出苗率大致随容重增加而增加，随土壤温度增加先增加后减小，最适宜作物出苗的温度为22~26℃；出苗率随土壤有机碳增加先增加后减小，但高生物炭施用量导致的土壤有机碳增加过高抑制了作物出苗。当生物炭施用量为10 t?hm-2时，棉花和甜菜的出苗率大于0.7，高于其他3种生物炭处理，因此推荐10 t?hm-2作为最优生物炭施用量。     

施用生物炭对灌漠土理化性质及洋葱产量的影响

在河西绿洲生态条件下,研究了施用玉米秸秆生物炭对土壤理化性质、重金属生物有效性及洋葱产量的影响。结果表明,常规施肥配施不同量的生物炭(5 000、10 000、15 000 kg/hm~2)后,灌漠土0～20 cm耕层土壤容重降低3.9%～7.2%,pH值提高2.1%～3.7%,有机质、碱解氮、速效磷、速效钾含量分别提高0.9%～1.4%、0.4%～5.5%、15.3%～32.6%、31.7%～42.0%,土壤理化性质得到改善,且施用量越高效果越好;配施不同量的生物炭对洋葱有一定的增产作用,施用量越高洋葱产量越高;施用不同量的生物炭可降低重金属的有效性,有效铅降低21.4%～42.4%,有效锌降低21.1%～22.9%,有效铜降低7.8%～19.9%,有效镉降低9.7%～41.9%,随生物炭施用量增加,重金属有效性呈下降趋势。     

生物质炭对旱地红壤理化性状和作物产量的持续效应

以江西进贤旱地红壤为供试土壤,连续3a观测施用生物质炭(0t/hm2,2.5t/hm2,5t/hm2,10t/hm2,20t/hm2,30t/hm2和40t/hm2)后土壤容重、孔隙度、饱和导水率、土壤pH、有机碳、阳离子交换量及油菜和红薯产量的变化。结果表明:生物质炭连续3a降低土壤容重,提高了土壤孔隙度和土壤饱和导水率,提升了土壤pH,增加了土壤有机碳和阳离子交换量;油菜和红薯产量均随生物质炭施用量的增加而增加,且红薯产量增幅大于油菜。随种植年限的延长,作物产量增幅越大。高施用量(40t/hm2)处理在旱地红壤上的改良效果和增产效应最好,施用生物质炭后第3a其土壤容重下降了0.17g/cm3,土壤孔隙度和饱和导水率分别增加了11.71%和126.57%,土壤pH、有机碳和阳离子交换量分别提高了7.25%,47.88%和44.61%,油菜和红薯产量分别增加了1.23t/hm2和14.83t/hm2。在连续3a内,旱地红壤施用生物质炭对改善土壤理化性状,维持作物增产具有持续效应,为生物质炭在红壤地区的大规模推广应用提供了科学依据。     

生物炭对双季稻生长与土壤理化性质的影响及其后效

为探究南方双季稻田施用生物炭的后效,对比分析了当年新施用生物炭(施用量分别为0、20和40 t·hm~(-2),以B_0、B_(20)、B_(40)表示)和前2年施用生物炭(施用量与B_(20)、B_(40)相同,分别以Y_2B_(20)、Y_2B_(40)表示)分别对双季稻生长与土壤理化性质的影响,以期为生物炭的合理施用提供理论和科学依据。结果表明,生物炭及其后效均能够显著提高土壤p H、有机碳和速效钾含量,其中新施生物炭效应增幅均高于生物炭后效。与B_0相比,新施生物炭能够显著提高早、晚稻产量与地上部生物量,B_(20)和B_(40)早稻产量分别显著提高6.9%、12.6%,晚稻产量分别显著提高9.4%、8.3%;Y_2B_(20)、Y_2B_(40)早稻产量相较于B_0分别显著下降3.4%、4.6%,对晚稻产量无显著影响。新施生物炭处理中,早稻和晚稻茎、叶中氮素与磷素含量均显著降低,而钾素含量随着生物炭施用量的增加呈显著上升趋势。前2年施用生物炭处理对早、晚稻氮素与磷素吸收量均无显著影响,仅Y_2B_(40)显著提高了晚稻钾素吸收量。新施生物炭处理氮、磷、钾吸收量随着生物炭施用量增加均呈上升趋势。与B_0相比,B_(40)晚稻氮素吸收量显著增加9.9%,B_(20)和B_(40)早稻磷素吸收量分别显著增加9.9%、9.1%,B_(40)晚稻磷素吸收量显著增加9.1%;B_(20)、B_(40)早稻钾素吸收量分别显著提高22.8%、39.9%,晚稻分别显著提高9.9%、19.5%。综上所述,施用秸秆生物炭对双季稻产量、地上部生物量、养分吸收量与土壤理化性质的影响存在后效作用,但是其后效较短,应考虑适当补施生物炭。     

生物炭及炭基硝酸铵肥料对土壤化学性质及作物产量的影响

为了促进生物炭研究和农用,采用盆栽试验研究了两种生物炭基氮肥及相应生物炭对土壤部分化学性质、养分状况及作物产量的影响。试验结果表明：施用生物炭基氮肥可显著提高土壤有机碳含量,提高土壤pH值、阳离子交换量、土壤速效磷、速效钾和矿质态氮含量,增强土壤保肥能力,促进作物增产。生物炭对土壤化学性质和养分状况虽有一定改善作用,但作物增产效应不明显甚至减产。因此,将生物炭与肥料复合制成生物炭基肥料不但可以保持生物炭改良土壤的功能,还可促进作物生长和增产,有利于生物炭农用效益的提升。     

生物质炭对土壤物理性质影响的研究进展

生物质炭在农业与环境中的应用已成为近期国内外研究热点,有关生物质炭特性以及生物质炭对土壤化学、生物学性质和作物产量的影响,已经有一些综述,但是生物质炭对土壤物理性质影响的相关综述很少。本文对近10年生物质炭对土壤物理性质影响相关的研究成果进行了整理分析。研究结果发现生物质炭可以降低土壤容重,提高土壤团聚体稳定性,增加田间持水量和土壤有效水含量,降低饱和导水率等。生物质炭影响土壤物理性质的主要原因是生物质炭具有较大的比表面积和孔隙度。此外,生物质炭与土壤矿质颗粒结合,并通过对土壤微生物活性和植物生长的影响间接影响土壤物理性质。生物质炭对土壤物理性质的影响与多种因素有关,如生物质炭原料、裂解温度、施用量和颗粒大小,土壤质地和处理时间等。关于生物质炭对土壤物理性质影响的长期研究很少,且缺乏田间试验。因此,将来的研究应更加倾向于长期田间条件下生物质炭对土壤物理性质的影响,并逐渐发现生物质炭的作用机理,为实际的农业生产和生态治理提供科学依据。     

Impact of maize straw biochar and tied-ridge-furrow rainwater harvesting on soil erosion and soil quality in a semiarid region

In dryland areas, integrating biochar soil amendment with in situ rainwater harvesting systems may decrease soil erosion, improve soil quality, and increase crop productivity and yield. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of maize straw biochar amendment and ridge-furrow rainwater harvesting systems on run-off, sediment yield and the physico-chemical properties of a Calcic Cambisol soil in semiarid areas. The experiment was conducted on alfalfa (Medicago sativa) production land at the Anjiagou Catchment experimental station in Gansu province, China. The experimental layout was a split-plot design with three replications. Biochar was applied at a rate of 0 and 30 t ha⁻¹, respectively. The tillage treatments were flat planting, open-ridging, and tied-ridging (TR). Overall, the integration of maize straw biochar with TR decreased soil bulk density at 0–40 cm depth. Biochar application reduced run-off by 37.8% and soil loss by 55.5% during alfalfa-growing seasons compared to the control. In general, biochar addition increased soil total potassium, but the same effect was not observed for soil pH, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and available phosphorus. These findings demonstrate the potential of integrating maize straw biochar and tillage systems to reduce soil erosion and improve soil quality for rainfed crop production in semiarid areas. Further studies on the effect of biochar-tillage system interaction are warranted to improve soil conditions for plant growth and increase crop yield in dryland areas.     

Biochar combined with nitrogen fertilizer affects soil properties and wheat yield in medium-low-yield farmland

Biochar combined with fertilizer as a soil amendment benefits to improving soil fertility, especially soil organic carbon and crop yield. However, the effect of biochar on the improvement of soil properties and crop yield was varied from soil properties and limited for medium–low-yield farmland in the North China. During the completely randomized field experiment, SIX treatments (biochar applied as 0, 15 and 30 t·ha^-1, under 240 and 300 kg N ha^-1 nitrogen fertilizer) were applied in wheat season and examined to reveal changes in the SOC and other properties of 0- to 10-cm and 10- to 20-cm soil layers. The results showed that two years after the application of biochar, a significant increase in the SOC was observed, ranging from 19.52% to 97.50% (p < 0.05) in the 0- to 20-cm soil layer. Wheat yield and SOC content increased with increasing amount of biochar applied under the same amount of nitrogen fertilizer. The content of soil available potassium increased significantly under 30 t·ha^-1 biochar application (p < 0.05). Both biochar and nitrogen fertilizer application could increase wheat yield, and the effect of biochar application for increasing wheat yield was better than that of nitrogen fertilizer. Wheat yield and SOC content increased with increasing nitrogen fertilizer at the same amount of biochar application. The principal component analysis results showed that biochar input, SOC, available potassium and total nitrogen were the key factors affecting wheat yield. Biochar application is a fast and effective measure to improve SOC and wheat yield in medium- and low-yield farmlands.     

酒糟生物炭与化肥配施对土壤理化特性及作物产量的影响

【目的】以酿酒废弃物(酒糟)为原料热解制备可燃气体和生物炭,研究生物炭对土壤及作物产量的影响,为酒糟的无害化处理与资源化利用,以及合理施用生物炭提供理论依据。【方法】利用电子显微镜观察比较400°C、480°C和600°C裂解得到的生物炭表面结构,分析其理化性质。在四川泸州设置油菜–高粱轮作田间试验,研究不施肥(CK)、单施化肥(CF)和化肥与生物炭配施(CF+BC)处理的作物产量和土壤理化性质及生物学性状。【结果】在480°C热裂解条件下,酒糟生物炭的表面孔隙结构最佳,pH 10.1,阳离子交换较大(33.41cmol/kg),保蓄了较多的碳、氮、磷、钾,理化性质最优。在CF+BC处理中,田间土壤碳含量增加,土壤微生物生物量碳氮提高,蔗糖酶和磷酸酶活性及有效氮、磷、钾含量显著高于或相似于CF,说明部分生物炭能被微生物利用,促进其生长繁殖,增强土壤酶活,提高土壤养分的生物有效性。与单施化肥相比,化肥配施生物炭使油菜和高粱产量分别增加9.3%和9.5%,油菜磷和钾的经济效率分别提高15.1%和30.7%。【结论】采用480℃低温热裂解制备的酒糟生物炭理化性质优良,与化肥配施有利于提高油菜...     

An overview on biochar production, its implications, and mechanisms of biochar-induced amelioration of soil and plant characteristics

The degradation of soil fertility and quality due to rapid industrialization and human activities has stimulated interest in the rehabilitation of low-fertility soils to sustainably improve crop yield. In this regard, biochar has emerged as an effective multi-beneficial additive that can be used as a medium for the amelioration of soil properties and plant growth. The current review highlights the methods and conditions for biochar production and the effects of pyrolysis temperature, feedstock type, and retention time on the physicochemical properties of biochar. We also discuss the impact of biochar as a soil amendment with respect to enhancing soil physical (e.g., surface area, porosity, ion exchange, and water-holding capacity) and chemical (e.g., pH, nutrient exchange,functional groups, and carbon sequestration) properties, improving the soil microbiome for increased plant nutrient uptake and growth, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, minimizing infectious diseases in plants, and facilitating the remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils. The possible mechanisms for biochar-induced amelioration of soil and plant characteristics are also described, and we consider the challenges associated with biochar utilization. The findings discussed in this review support the feasibility of expending the application of biochar to improve degraded soils in industrial and saline-alkali regions, thereby increasing the usable amount of cultivated soil. Future research should include long-term field experiments and studies on biochar production and environmental risk management to optimize biochar performance for specific soil remediation purposes.     

Performance of biochar derived from Cymbopogon winterianus waste at two temperatures on soil properties and growth of Bacopa monneri

ABSTRACT

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of biochar derived from the distilled waste of Cymbopogon winterianus at two different pyrolysis temperatures (450°C and 850°C) on the chemical and biological properties of sandy loamy soil (SLS) and its subsequent impact on plant growth. Pot experiments utilizing Bacopa monnieri were performed in a greenhouse with four different application rates of biochar (2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% (w/w)) for 120 days. Biochar induced alterations in soil properties (nutrients, enzymes, and microbes) and plant responses (yield, biocide and antioxidant content) to biochar addition were measured. Biochar application, notably improved the soil carbon, cation exchange capacity, and the availability of NH₄ ⁺ and phosphorus. Initially, biochar produced at the lower temperature had more effect on the available nitrogen, phosphorus, soil enzymatic properties, and plant biomass growth. After 120 days, the pyrolysis temperature had only a marginal influence on biochar-induced effects on soil pH, WHC, and soil enzymatic activities. Our results suggest that C. winterianus derived biochar amendment leads to an overall amelioration of soil fertility and plant growth improvement. In specific biochar produced at lower temperatures (450°C) was more effective for improvement of plant biomass and soil characteristics.     

添加生物炭对酸性红壤中玉米生长和氮素利用率的影响

Biochar added to soil can improve crop growth through both direct and indirect effects, particularly in acidic, highly weathered soils in subtropical and tropical regions. However, the mechanisms of biochar improving crop growth are not well understood. The objectives of this study were i） to determine the crop responses to biochar addition and ii） to understand the effect of biochar addition on N use efficiency. Seven acidic red soils varying in texture, p H, and soil nutrient were taken from southern China and subjected to four treatments： zero biochar and fertilizer as a control（CK）, 10 g kg-1biochar（BC）, NPK fertilizers（NPK）, and 10 g kg-1biochar plus NPK fertilizers（BC＋NPK）.15N-labeled fertilizer was used as a tracer to assess N use efficiency. After a 46-d pot experiment,biochar addition increased soil p H and available P, and decreased soil exchangable Al3＋, but did not impact soil availabe N and cation exchange capacity（P 〉 0.05）. The N use efficiency and N retained in the soil were not significantly affected by biochar application except for the soil with the lowest available P（3.81 mg kg-1） and highest exchanageable Al3＋（4.54 cmol kg-1）. Greater maize biomass was observed in all soils amended with biochar compared to soils without biochar（BC vs. CK, BC＋NPK vs. NPK）. This agronomic effect was negatively related to the concentration of soil exchangeable Al3＋（P 〈 0.1）. The results of this study implied that the liming effect of biochar improved plant growth through alleviating Al toxicity and P deficiency, especially in poor acidic red soils.     

Farmer‐led maize biochar trials: Effect on crop yield and soil nutrients under conservation farming

In extensive farmer‐led trials practicing conservation farming (CF) in three regions of Zambia (Mongu: sandy soils; Kaoma: sandy or loamy sand soils; Mkushi: sandy loam or loamy soils), we studied the effects of biochar made of maize cobs (0, 2, and 6 t ha^?1 corresponding to 0, 0.8, and 2.5% per basin) at different fertilizer rates of NPK and urea on crop yield of maize (Zea mays) and groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea). Conservation farming in this case combines minimum tillage (how basins), crop rotation and residue retention. For the first time, the effect of biochar on in situ soil nutrient supply rates [determined by buried Plant Root Simulator (PRS?) exchange resins] was studied, as well as the effects of biochar on elemental composition of maize. Effects of 0–10% (w:w) biochar addition on soil physical and soil chemical properties were determined in the laboratory. At all sites there was a consistent positive response in crop yield upon the addition of biochar. However, due to a great variability between farms there were no significant differences in absolute yields between the treatments. In the sandy soils at Mongu, relative yields (i.e., percentage yield with biochar relative to the same fertilizer rate without biochar) of maize grains and maize stover were significantly increased at recommended fertilizer rates (232 ± 60%) and at half the recommended rate (128 ± 6%), respectively. In addition, biochar significantly increased concentrations of K and P in maize stover. In situ soil nutrient supply rates as measured by PRS?‐probes were highly spatially variable with no consistent effects of the different treatments in the three regions. By contrast, the fraction of plant available water (Vol.‐%) significantly increased upon the addition of biochar in all three soils. The increase caused by 10% biochar addition was of factor 2.5 in Mongu (from 4.5% to 11.2%) and 1.2 in both Kaoma (from 14.7% to 18.2%) and Mkushi (from 18.2% to 22.7%). Cation exchange capacity, pH, and exchangeable K significantly increased upon the addition of 10% (w:w) biochar in all three regions with a subsequent increase in base saturation and decrease of available Al³⁺. Our findings suggest that the addition of biochar in combination with CF might have a positive impact on crop growth and that this positive effect is mainly caused by increases in plant‐available water and decreased available Al.