Decomposition of peat,biogenic municipal waste compost,and shrub/grass compost added in different rates to a silt loam

An incubation experiment was carried out to test the effects of biogenic municipal waste (compost I) and shrub/grass (compost II) composts in comparison to peat on respiration and microbial biomass in soil. The amounts of these three substrates added were linearly increased in the range of field application rates (0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%). The sum of CO₂ evolved during the incubation was markedly raised by the three substrates and increased with the rate of substrate concentration. However, the percentage of substrate mineralized to CO₂ decreased with the addition rate from 103 to 56% for compost I, from 81 to 56% for compost II, and from 21 to 8% for peat. During the first 25 days of incubation, compost I enlarged the biomass C content, which remained constant until the end. In contrast, compost II did not raise biomass C initially. But at the end of the incubation, the biomass C content of all 4 compost II treatments almost reached the level of the respective compost I treatment. The increase was significantly larger the more of the two composts was added. In contrast to the two composts, the addition of peat did not have any significant effect on microbial biomass C. The average qCO₂ values at day 25 declined in the order compost I > compost II > peat, at day 92 the order was changed to compost II > peat > compost 1. This change in the order was caused by a significant decrease in qCO₂ values of the compost I treatments, a significant increase in qCO₂ values of the peat treatments and constant qCO₂ values in the compost II treatments.     

Influence of 2-chloro-6 (trichloromethyl) pyridine and dicyandiamide on nitrous oxide emission under different soil conditions

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the inhibitory effects of 2-chloro-6 (trichloromethyl) pyridine (nitrapyrin) and dicyandiamide on nitrous oxide (N₂O), a greenhouse gas, emission from soils amended with ammonium sulfate. In the two experiments, samples of an Andosol and a Gray Lowland soil were kept in glass vessels sealed with a butyl rubber cap and incubated at 25°C. In the first experiment, nitrapyrin (1 µg g^?1 dry soil) and dicyandiamide (10 µg g^?1 dry soil) were applied to samples of a water-saturated Andosol and a Gray Lowland soil to which ammonium sulfate had been applied at a rate of 0.1 mg N g^?1 dry soil. Nitrapyrin decreased N₂O emissions from the Andosol and the Gray Lowland soil by 71% and 24%, respectively. Dicyandiamide decreased N₂O emissions from the Andosol and Gray Lowland soil by 31% and 18%, respectively. In the second experiment, nitrapyrin (1 µg g^?1 dry soil) was applied to samples of an Andosol at 51% water-filled pore space to which ammonium sulfate had been applied at rates of 0.01, 0.1 and 0.5 mg N g^?1 dry soil. Nitrapyrin decreased N₂O emissions by 62%, 83% and 74%, respectively. Changes in the NH⁺ ₄ and NO^? ₂ + NO^? ₃ concentrations in soil showed that nitrapyrin and dicyandiamide slowed down the nitrification process, but did not completely stop the process at any time. The results reveal the potential of nitrification inhibitors to decrease N₂O emission from fertilized soil in a wide range of moisture conditions and nitrogen levels.     

Effect of the long-term application of organic matter on soil carbon accumulation and GHG emissions from a rice paddy field in a cool-temperate region,Japan-II. Effect of different compost applications-

ABSTRACT

The influence of long-term application of different types of compost on rice grain yield, CH₄ and N₂O emissions, and soil carbon storage (0 ? 30 cm) in rice paddy fields was clarified. Two sets of paddy fields applied with rice straw compost or livestock manure compost mainly derived from cattle were used in this study. Each set comprised long-term application (LT) and corresponding control (CT) plots. The application rates for rice straw compost (42 years) and livestock manure compost (41 years in total with different application rates) were 20 Mg fresh weight ha^–1. Soil carbon storage increased by 33% and 37% with long-term application of rice straw compost and livestock manure compost, respectively. The soil carbon sequestration rate by the organic matter application was 23% higher with the livestock manure compost than with the rice straw compost. The rice grain yield in the LT plot was significantly higher than that in the corresponding CT plot with both types of compost. Although the difference was not significant in the rice straw compost, cumulative CH₄ emissions increased with long-term application of both composts. Increase rate of CH₄ emission with long-term application was higher in the livestock manure compost (99%) than that in the rice straw compost (26%). In both composts, the long-term application did not increase N₂O emission significantly. As with the rice straw compost, the increase in CH₄ emission with the long-term application of livestock manure compost exceeded the soil carbon sequestration rate, and the change in the net greenhouse gas (GHG) balance calculated by the difference between them was positive, indicating a net increase in the GHG emissions. The increase in CH₄ and net GHG emissions owing to the long-term application of the livestock manure compost could be higher than that of the rice straw compost owing to the amount of applied carbon, the quality of compost and the soil carbon accumulation. The possibility that carbon sequestration in the subsoil differs depending on the type of composts suggests the importance of including subsoil in the evaluation of soil carbon sequestration by long-term application of organic matter.     

绿萍对太湖地区稻田氮磷及水绵生长的影响

利用田间小区试验,研究了放养绿萍后对稻田水绵生长及田面水中N和P浓度变化的影响。在相同施肥水平下,绿萍处理的田面水中全N与NH4+-N浓度均低于无绿萍的处理。在分蘖期绿萍可调节土水中P的吸收与释放,减少了P肥损失的风险。此外,研究还发现施肥后的一段时间内,绿萍处理的田面水中叶绿素浓度变化较小,在20 ~ 45 mg/m3 之间,而不施绿萍处理的田面水中叶绿素浓度逐渐增加,3 ~ 5天后浓度就远远大于绿萍处理,达到了85 mg/m3,说明绿萍生长可有效抑制藻类的爆发。     

Influence of increasing temperature and nitrogen input on greenhouse gas emissions from a desert steppe soil in Inner Mongolia

We investigated the effect of increasing soil temperature and nitrogen on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions [carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O)] from a desert steppe soil in Inner Mongolia, China. Two temperature levels (heating versus no heating) and two nitrogen (N) fertilizer application levels (0 and 100?kg?N?ha^?1?year^?1) were examined in a complete randomized design with six replications. The GHG surface fluxes and their concentrations in soil (0 to 50?cm) were collected bi-weekly from June 2006 to November 2007. Carbon dioxide and N₂O emissions were not affected by heating or N treatment, but compared with other seasons, CO₂ was higher in summer [average of 29.6 versus 8.6?mg carbon (C) m^?2?h^?1 over all other seasons] and N₂O was lower in winter (average of 2.6 versus 4.0?mg?N?m^?2?h^?1 over all other seasons). Desert steppe soil is a CH₄ sink with the highest rate of consumption occurring in summer. Heating decreased CH₄ consumption only in the summer. Increasing surface soil temperature by 1.3°C or applying 100?kg?ha^?1?year^?1 N fertilizer had no effect on the overall GHG emissions. Seasonal variability in GHG emission reflected changes in temperature and soil moisture content. At an average CH₄ consumption rate of 31.65?µg?C?m^?2?h^?1, the 30.73 million ha of desert steppe soil in Inner Mongolia can consume (sequestrate) about 85?×?10^6?kg CH₄-C, an offset equivalent to 711?×?10^6?kg CO₂-C emissions annually. Thus, desert steppe soil should be considered an important CH₄ sink and its potential in reducing GHG emission and mitigating climate change warrants further investigation.     

Effect of the long-term application of organic matter on soil carbon accumulation and GHG emissions from a rice paddy field in a cool-temperate region,Japan. -I. Comparison of rice straw and rice straw compost -

ABSTRACT

The influence of the long-term combination of rice straw removal and rice straw compost application on methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions and soil carbon accumulation in rice paddy fields was clarified. In each of the initial and continuous application fields (3 and 39?51 years, respectively), three plots with different applications of organic matter were established, namely, rice straw application (RS), rice straw compost application (SC) and no application (NA) plots, and soil carbon storage (0?15 cm), rice grain yield and CH₄ and N₂O fluxes were measured for three years. The soil carbon sequestration rate by the organic matter application was higher in the SC plot than in the RS plot for both the initial and continuous application fields, and it was lower in the continuous application field than in the initial application field. The rice grain yield in the SC plot was significantly higher than those in the other plots in both the initial and continuous application fields. Cumulative CH₄ emissions followed the order of the NA plot < the SC plot < the RS plot for both the initial and continuous application fields. The effect of the organic matter application on the N₂O emissions was not clear. In both the initial and continuous application fields, the increase in CH₄ emission by the rice straw application exceeded the soil carbon sequestration rate, and the change in the net greenhouse gas (GHG) balance calculated by the difference between them was a positive, indicating a net increase in the GHG emissions. However, the change in the GHG balance by the rice straw compost application showed negative (mitigating GHG emissions) for the initial application field, whereas it showed positive for the continuous application field. Although the mitigation effect on the GHG emissions by the combination of the rice straw removal and rice straw compost application was reduced by 21% after 39 years long-term application, it is suggested that the combination treatment is a sustainable management that can mitigate GHG emissions and improve crop productivity.     

The effect of sodium on growth and potassium deficiency symptoms in water convolvulus (Ipomea aquatica,Forsk.)

Water convolvulus, Ipomea aquatica Forsk., was grown in nutrient solution with three concentrations of sodium and potassium, each ranging from deficient to sufficient. All other nutrients were supplied in adequate quantities. Both potassium and sodium increased plant growth, however, the response to sodium was greatest when potassium was deficient. Evidence of a sodium response makes the accepted practice of balancing potassium with sodium in solution culture studies most questionable. Sodium should not be considered a non‐nutrient in water convolvulus.     

Effects of preceding compost application on the nitrogen budget in an upland soybean field converted from a rice paddy field on gray lowland soil in Akita,Japan

Abstract

The annual nitrogen (N) budget was measured in a soybean-cultivated upland field during the first year after conversion from a paddy field on gray lowland soil, which is typically found on the Sea of Japan side of northern Japan. Forage rice was cultivated on lysimeter fields for 4 consecutive years with applications of chemical fertilizer, immature compost, or mature compost (the control, immature compost, and mature compost plots, respectively), and then the fields were converted to upland fields for soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merrill cultivar Ryuho) cultivation. Input (seed, bulk N deposition, and symbiotic dinitrogen [N₂] fixation) and output (harvested grain, leached N via drainage water, and nitrous oxide emission) N flows were measured, and the field N budget was estimated from the difference between the input and output. The soybean plants in the immature and mature compost plots grew well and had higher yields (498–511 g m)^?2) compared to the control plot (410 g m)^?2). Total N accumulation in the soybean plants derived from N₂ fixation (g N m)^?2) in the mature compost plot (27.7) was higher than those in the control (18.1) and immature compost plots (19.9). Percentages of soybean N accumulation derived from N₂ fixation ranged from 53% to 74%. N derived from symbiotic N₂ fixation accounted for more than 90% of the total N input, whereas harvested grain accounted for approximately 85% of the total N output. N leaching mainly occurred during the fallow period, accounting for 13–15% of the total N output. The annual N budgets were negative (?10.0,?14.2, and ?6.4 g N m)^?2 year)^?1 for the control, immature compost, andmature compost plots, respectively). The Nloss from the immature compost plot was higher than that of the control plot, because the N output in harvested grain was higher, and the N input by N₂ fixation was similar between plots. While the N loss from the mature compost plot was lower than that of the control plot because the N output in harvested grain was higher, as was the case in the immature compost plot, the N input by N₂ fixation was also higher. Preceding compost application—whether immature or mature compost—to paddy fields increased the subsequent soybean yield during the first year after conversion. This result suggests that N loss and the following decrease in soil N availability in the field could be mitigated by increased N₂ fixation resulting from mature compost application with an appropriate application practice.     

Long-term application of organic manure and nitrogen fertilizer on N2O emissions, soil quality and crop production in a sandy loam soil

A long-term field experiment was established to determine the influence of mineral fertilizer (NPK) or organic manure (composed of wheat straw, oil cake and cottonseed cake) on soil fertility. A tract of calcareous fluvo-aquic soil (aquic inceptisol) in the Fengqiu State Key Experimental Station for Ecological Agriculture (Fengqiu county, Henan province, China) was fertilized beginning in September 1989 and N₂O emissions were examined during the maize and wheat growth seasons of 2002-2003. The study involved seven treatments: organic manure (OM), half-organic manure plus half-fertilizer N (1/2 OMN), fertilizer NPK (NPK), fertilizer NP (NP), fertilizer NK (NK), fertilizer PK (PK) and control (CK). Manured soils had higher organic C and N contents, but lower pH and bulk densities than soils receiving the various mineralized fertilizers especially those lacking P, indicating that long-term application of manures could efficiently prevent the leaching of applied N from and increase N content in the plowed layer. The application of manures and fertilizers at a rate of 300 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ significantly increased N₂O emissions from 150 g N₂O-N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ in the CK treatment soil to 856 g N₂O-N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ in the OM treatment soil; however, there was no significant difference between the effect of fertilizer and manure on N₂O emission. More N₂O was released during the 102-day maize growth season than during the 236-day wheat growth season in the N-fertilized soils but not in N-unfertilized soils. N₂O emission was significantly affected by soil moisture during the maize growth season and by soil temperature during the wheat growth season. In sum, this study showed that manure added to a soil tested did not result in greater N₂O emission than treatment with a N-containing fertilizer, but did confer greater benefits for soil fertility and the environment.     

Studies on interrelationship of various ions in absorption by tobacco plants (Part 1) relation of nitrogen forms and cation levels in culture solution

The nutrient absorption by tobacco plants is sensitve to the condition of culture media, as a close absorbing relationship is kept among various nutrient elements. Tobacco plant, comparing with other plants, contains inorganic bases in its tissue in especially large amounts as against other inorganic elements. The reciprocal proportion of various bases has a great influence upon the growth and the quality of the leaf.     

Influence of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria,Compost, and Biochar of Azolla on Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis L.) Growth and Some Soil Quality Indicators in a Calcareous Soil

In order to study the effect of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), Azolla compost and Azolla biochar on some soil quality indicators and rosemary growth, a greenhouse experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with six replications. Treatments consisted of T₁ (control), T₂ (1% Azolla compost), T₃ (1% Azolla biochar), T₄ (PGPR (P. fluorescens), T₅ (1% compost + PGPR) and T₆ (1% biochar + PGPR). Rosemary growth parameters and nutrients concentration increased in all treatments compared to control. Treatments increased soil nutrient concentrations, soil microbial respiration (SMR) and microbial biomass C (MBC) but decreased soil metabolic quotient (qCO₂) compared to control treatment. A significant enhancement in rosemary growth occurred due to the improved soil quality as a result of organic fertilizers application, particularly by co-application of P. fluorescens and compost or biochar of Azolla.     

Mitigation of nitrous oxide emissions in spray-irrigated grazed grassland by treating the soil with dicyandiamide, a nitrification inhibitor

Abstract. Nitrous oxide (N₂O) from animal excreta in grazed pasture systems makes up a significant component (c. 10%) of New Zealand's total greenhouse gas inventory. We report an effective method to decrease N₂O emissions from animal urine patches by treating the soil with the nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide (DCD), in a simulated grazed dairy pasture system under spray irrigation. The soil was a free-draining Lismore stony silt loam (Udic Haplustept loamy skeletal) and the pasture was a mixture of perennial ryegrass ( Lolium perenne ) and white clover ( Trifolium repens ). By treating the soil with DCD, N₂O emissions were decreased by 76% following urine application in the autumn, from 26.7 kg N₂O-N ha⁻¹ without DCD to an average of 6.4 kg N₂O-N ha⁻¹ with DCD over the 6-month experimental period. N₂O flux was decreased by 78% following urine application in the spring, from 18 kg N₂O-N ha⁻¹ without DCD to 3.9 kg N₂O-N ha⁻¹ with the application of DCD over the 3-month period. A single application of DCD immediately after urine was sufficient to effectively mitigate N₂O emissions from the urine. The results showed that repeated applications of DCD after urine application, or mixing DCD with urine, offered no advantage over a single application of DCD immediately after urine deposition.     

堆肥对泥炭基质中重金属、氮、磷的影响

A laboratory study was conducted to evaluate the effect of compost amendment on mobility and leaching potential of heavy metals, nitrogen （N） and phosphorus （P） from a peat-based commercial container medium containing 700 g kg^-1 peat, 200 g kg^-1 perlite and 100 g kg^-1 vermiculite at varying amendment rates of compost （0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00 L L^-1）. Increasing compost amendment significantly and linearly increased the pH （P 〈 0.01）, the total concentrations of organic carbon （P 〈 0.05）, copper （Cu） （P 〈 0.01）, cadmium （ca） （P 〈 0.01）, and lead （Pb） （P 〈 0.01）, and increased the bulk density （P 〈 0.01） of the medium. The electrical conductivity （EC）, and total N and P of the medium increased significantly （P 〈 0.01） and quadratically with increasing compost amendment. The relationship of the C/N ratio of the medium with the compost amendment rate was decreasing, significant （P 〈 0.01） and cubic, while that of the total Zn was increasing, significant （P 〈 0.01） and cubic. Extractable P, NO3-N, and NH4-N increased initially with an increasing compost amendment of up to 0.50 L L^-1 and then decreased with further increasing compost rate. Increasing compost rates resulted in a highly significant （P 〈 0.01） and linear increase in total Cd, Cu, and Pb, and a highly significant （P 〈 0.01） and cubic increase in total Zn in the medium. Increasing compost rates also significantly （P 〈 0.01） increased extractable Cu （linearly） and Zn （quadratically）, but significantly （P 〈 0.01） decreased extractable Pb （linearly）. There was no significant effect of compost amendment on the extractable Cd concentration in the medium. However, with increasing compost rates from 0.25 to 1.00 L L^-1, extractability of P, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn （extractable concentration as a percent of total） was decreased, indicating that compost amendment could lower the leachability of these elements from the medium.     

Effects of bamboo biochar application on global warming in paddy fields in Ehime prefecture,Southern Japan

Biochar application can reduce global warming via carbon (C) sequestration in soils. However, there are few studies investigating its effects on greenhouse gases in rice (Oryza sativa L.) paddy fields throughout the year. In this study, a year-round field experiment was performed in rice paddy fields to investigate the effects of biochar application on methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions and C budget. The study was conducted on three rice paddy fields in Ehime prefecture, Japan, for 2 years. Control (Co) and biochar (B) treatments, in which 2-cm size bamboo biochar (2 Mg ha^?1) was applied, were set up in the first year. CH₄ and N₂O emissions and heterotrophic respiration (Rh) were measured using a closed-chamber method. In the fallow season, the mean N₂O emission during the experimental period was significantly lower in B (67 g N ha^?1) than Co (147 g N ha^?1). However, the mean CH₄ emission was slightly higher in B (2.3 kg C ha^?1) than Co (1.2 kg C ha^?1) in fallow season. The water-filled pore space increased more during the fallow season in B than Co. In B, soil was reduced more than in Co due to increasing soil moisture, which decreased N₂O and increased CH₄ emissions in the fallow season. In the rice-growing season, the mean N₂O emission tended to be lower in B (?104 g N ha^?1) than Co (?13 g N ha^?1), while mean CH₄ emission was similar between B (183 kg C ha^?1) and Co (173 kg C ha^?1). Due to the C release from applied biochar and soil organic C in the first year, Rh in B was higher than that in Co. The net greenhouse gas emission for 2 years considering biochar C, plant residue C, CH₄ and N₂O emissions, and Rh was lower in B (5.53 Mg CO₂eq ha^?1) than Co (11.1 Mg CO₂eq ha^?1). Biochar application worked for C accumulation, increasing plant residue C input, and mitigating N₂O emission by improving soil environmental conditions. This suggests that bamboo biochar application in paddy fields could aid in mitigating global warming.     

Nitrogen accumulation in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is increased by manure compost application in drained paddy fields as a result of increased soil nitrogen mineralization

The application of manure compost is an effective way to increase soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yield and nitrogen (N) fertility in drained paddy fields. We investigated changes in soil N mineralization during soybean cultivation using reaction kinetics analysis to determine the contribution of increased N mineralization after manure compost application (at a rate of 0 to 6?kg?m^?2) on N accumulation and seed yield of soybean under drained paddy field conditions. The seed yield and N accumulation decreased markedly in the second and third year of the experiment, but soil N mineralization increased in both years. No decrease in soil N mineralization occurred even after two soybean crops. Soil N availability was not the main cause of decreased soybean yield in the second and third years. The differences in plant aboveground N content between plots with and without manure compost was similar to the increase in N mineralization caused by manure compost application in the second and third years. The application of 6?kg?m^?2 of manure compost increased the amount of ureide-N and nitrate-N in soybean in the third year. Our results suggest that manure compost application increases soil N mineralization and soybean N₂ fixation, resulting in increased N accumulation and seed yield. However, the soybean yield remained less than 300?g?m^?2 in the second and third years (i.e., below the yield in the first year) at all levels of manure compost application due to the remarkable decrease of N accumulation in the second and the third crops.     

Effect of the number of tillages in fallow season and fertilizer type on greenhouse gas emission from a rice (Oryza sativa L.) paddy field in Ehime,southwestern Japan

Agricultural fields, including rice (Oryza sativa L.) paddy fields, constitute one of the major sources of atmospheric methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O). Organic matter application, such as straw and organic fertilizer, enhances CH₄ emission from paddy fields. In addition, rice straw management after harvest regulates CH₄ emissions in the growing season. The interaction of tillage times and organic fertilizer application on CH₄ and N₂O emissions is largely unknown. Therefore, we studied the effects of fallow-season tillage times and fertilizer types on CH₄ and N₂O emissions in paddy fields in Ehime, southwestern Japan. From November 2011 to October 2013, four treatments, two (autumn and spring) or one (spring) in the first year, or two (autumn and spring) or three (autumn, winter, and spring) in the second year times of tillage with chemical or organic fertilizer application, were established. Gas fluxes were measured by the closed-chamber method. Increasing the number of tillage times from one to two decreased succeeding CH₄ emission and the emission factor for CH₄ (EF_CH4) in the rice-growing season, suggesting that the substrate for CH₄ production was reduced by autumn and spring tillage in the fallow season. Higher EF_CH4 [1.8–2.0 kg carbon (C) ha^?1 d^?1] was observed when more straw was applied (6.9–7.2 Mg ha^?1) in the second year. Organic fertilizer application induced higher CH₄ emission just after the application as basal and supplemental fertilizers, especially at a lower straw application rate. This indicated that EF_CH4 in the organically managed fields should be determined individually. Organic fertilizer application with two tillage times induced N₂O efflux during the rice-growing season in the second year, but N₂O emissions were not affected by winter tillage. Although paddy fields can act as an N₂O sink because of reduced soil conditions when straw application was high, application of organic C and nitrogen as fertilizer can enhance N₂O production by the denitrification process during the growing season, especially in the ripening stage when soil anaerobic conditions became moderate. These results suggest that negative emission factors for N₂O (EF_N2O) can be applied, and EF_N2O of organic fertilizer should be considered during the estimation of N₂O emission in the paddy field.     

堆肥缓解土壤镉的植物毒性: 对白菜生长的影响

The growth performance of pakchoi (Brassica chinensis L.) in relation to soil cadmium (Cd) fractionations was investigated to evaluate the remediating effect of poultry manure compost on Cd-contaminated soil. A yellow-brown soil (Alfisol) treated with various levels of Cd (0–50 mg Cd kg-1 soil) was amended with increasing amounts of compost from 0 to 120 g kg-1 . Compost application transformed 47.8%–69.8% of soluble/exchangeable Cd to the organic-bound fraction, and consequently decreased Cd uptake of pakchoi by 56.2%–62.5% as compared with unamended soil. Alleviation of Cd bioavailability by compost was attributed primarily to the increase of soil pH and complexation of Cd by organic matter including dissolved organic matter. In general, the improvement of pakchoi performance was more pronounced in higher Cd-contaminated soil. Addition of large amount of compost also favored the anti-oxidative capability of pakchoi against Cd toxicity. This low cost remediation method seems to be very effective in the restoration of Cd-contaminated soils.     

Effect of straw biochar application on soil carbon,greenhouse gas emissions and nitrogen leaching: A vegetable crop rotation field experiment

Intensive vegetable crop systems are rapidly developing, with consequences for greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions, nitrogen leaching and soil carbon. We undertook a field trial to explore the effect of biochar application (0, 10, 20 and 40 t ha⁻¹) on these factors in lettuce, water spinach and ice plant rotation. Our results show that the 20 and 40 t ha⁻¹ soil treatments resulted in the SOC content being 26.3% and 29.8% higher than the control (0 t ha⁻¹), respectively, with significant differences among all treatments (p < .05). Biochar application caused N₂O emissions to decrease during the lettuce and water spinach seasons, by 1.5%–33.6% and 12.4%–40.5%, respectively, compared the control, with the 20 t ha⁻¹ application rate resulting in the lowest N₂O emissions. Biochar also decreased the dissolved nitrogen (DN) concentration in leachate by 9.8%–36.2%, following a 7.3%–19.9% reduction in dissolved nitrogen in the soil. Similarly, biochar decreased the nitrate (NO₃⁻) concentrations in leachate by 3.9%–30.2%, following a 3.8%–16.7% reduction in the soil nitrate level. Overall, straw biochar applied at rate of 20 t ha⁻¹ produced the lowest N₂O emissions and N leaching, while, increasing soil carbon.