生物炭施用下潮土团聚体微生物量碳氮和酶活性的分布特征

[目的]探究生物炭配施化肥对不同粒级团聚体中微生物量碳、氮(MBC、MBN)含量和胞外酶活性的影响,分析影响团聚体胞外酶活性变化的主控因素,为提升土壤质量提供科学依据.[方法]田间微区试验在河南现代农业研究基地进行,供试土壤为石灰性潮土.设置4个处理:不施肥(CK)、单施化肥(NPK)、单施生物炭(BC)和生物炭配施化...     

玉米秸秆炭还田对黑土土壤肥力特性和氮素农学效应的影响

【目的】探索玉米秸秆炭对东北黑土土壤肥力特性和氮素农学效应的影响,可为东北玉米集约化生产区秸秆资源利用和培肥土壤提供理论和实际应用基础。【方法】本研究以东北典型黑土区春玉米种植体系为研究对象,通过连续两年的田间原位试验,研究了添加500℃厌氧条件热解的玉米秸秆炭对土壤养分含量、 微生物和酶活性的影响及玉米秸秆炭对作物产量和氮素农学效应的影响。试验设三个处理: 1)PK+4 t/hm2秸秆还田(CK); 2)NPK+4 t/hm2秸秆还田; 3)NPK+4 t/hm2秸秆还田+2 t/hm2秸秆生产秸秆碳,在玉米成熟期取020 cm土壤样品和植株样品,采用常规方法进行相关项目的测定。【结果】 1)土壤养分分析结果。与秸秆还田相比,秸秆炭处理在2013和2014年土壤碱解氮含量(AN)分别提高了10.1%和9.7%,均达到显著水平(P0.05); 土壤速效磷含量(AP)分别提高了13.7%和27.3%,在2014年达到显著水平(P0.05); 土壤微生物量碳含量(SMBC)分别提高了13.5%和26.9%,土壤脲酶活性(URE)分别提高了22.3%和31.8%,2014年SMBC和URE升高均达显著(P0.05)。秸秆炭对土壤有机质(OM)、 全氮(TN)、 速效钾(AK)、 土壤微生物量氮(SMBN)和蔗糖酶活性(SUC)的提升效果在两年试验中均没有达到显著水平, 2)氮素农学效应影响结果。与处理2相比,处理3肥料氮偏因子生产力(PFPN)分别提高了3.3%和9.6%,肥料氮经济效益(EBN)分别提高了12.9%和27.5%,均在2014年表现出显著提高(P0.05); 而两年间处理3的玉米产量分别提高3.3%和9.5%、 肥料氮利用率(UEN)分别提高了3.9%和14.0%、 肥料氮农学效率(AEN)分别提高了11.6%和23.9%,但均未达显著水平。【结论】2年试验初步表明施用玉米秸秆炭可以提高土壤微生物活性和土壤酶活性,调节土壤与作物之间的养分供需,改善土壤养分状况,对提升氮素农学效应有作用。因此,玉米秸秆炭可作为秸秆资源高效利用的有效形式,其长期效果还需进一步试验。     

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.     

添加生物质黑炭对红壤结构稳定性的影响

本研究通过室内恒温恒湿控制试验,研究添加黑炭、秸秆在分解过程中对土壤抗破碎性及团聚体稳定性等土壤生物、物理特征的影响。黑炭是在400℃缺氧状态下水稻秸秆焚烧而制成的。实验包括不添加任何物料的对照(CK)、添加黑炭(BC)、黑炭+氮磷钾肥(BC+NPK)、秸秆(Straw)、秸秆+氮磷钾肥(Straw+NPK)等5个处理。研究结果表明,经过55天恒温(25℃)恒湿(田间持水量的40%)培养,黑炭分解速度很慢,通过换算,其周转周期约为1400年,而秸秆周转周期仅为7年,配施氮磷钾能加速黑炭和秸秆的分解。添加黑炭没有提高土壤抗破碎能力和土壤团聚体稳定性(P>0.05),而秸秆则相反(P<0.05)。该研究结果表明生物质黑炭不能像其他有机物料一样提高土壤微生物活性和土壤结构稳定性。     

生物炭的10年土壤培肥效应

大量短期的室内试验和田间试验研究表明,施用生物炭可以增加土壤碳固定,提升土壤肥力和作物产量,然而关于生物炭的长期土壤肥力效应尚不明确。为此,依托持续10年的生物炭的田间定位试验[4个处理:对照(CK)、生物炭4. 5 t·hm-2·年-1(B4. 5)、生物炭9 t·hm-2·年-1(B9. 0)、秸秆还田(SR)],研究了长期施用生物炭对土壤肥力状况的影响。结果显示,与对照相比,长期施用生物炭和秸秆还田对土壤p H值没有显著影响,但容重降低了2. 2%～8. 2%,施用生物炭的土壤电导率降低了1. 5%～7. 8%,而秸秆还田处理土壤电导率提高了4. 7%～13. 4%。施炭和秸秆还田使土壤有机质(SOM)含量增加57. 7%～123. 1%,总氮含量提高11. 3%～21. 9%,总磷没有显著性变化。不同处理土壤NH+4-N含量的差异不显著,而施用生物炭和秸秆还田土壤NO-3-N含量增加3. 8%～67. 1%,且高炭处理的效果显著。土壤有效磷含量显著降低了23. 1%～42. 0%,速效钾含量上升了2. 0%～23. 1%。总体而言,长期施用生物炭提升了土壤肥力,尤其是对土壤有机质的提升有显著的效果。     

玉米秸秆源有机物料对黑土养分有效性与酶活性的提升效应

[目的]研究以玉米秸秆为主要原料制备的不同类型有机物料对东北黑土土壤肥力和玉米产量的影响,为黑土地保护和秸秆资源高效利用提供理论依据.[方法]田间定位试验连续进行了5年.试验设不施肥对照(CK)、单施化肥(NPK)、化肥配施秸秆(NPK+ST)、化肥配施生物炭(NPK+BR)以及化肥配施堆肥(NPK+CP)5个处理,各...     

Effects of pyrolysis temperature and feedstock type on biochar characteristics pertinent to soil carbon and soil health: A meta-analysis

Biochar amendment to soil is utilized globally as an approach to enhance carbon storage and to improve soil functioning. However, biochar characteristics and related improvements of soil functioning depend on biochar production conditions. Systematic evaluation of corresponding biochar characteristics is needed for more targeted and efficient biochar application strategies. Herein, we systematically review the effects of biochar pyrolysis temperature (175–950°C) and feedstock (corn stover, switchgrass and wood) on selected biochar characteristics (carbon content, H/C ratio, nitrogen content, pH, specific surface area, ash content and pore volume). These specific characteristics were selected as being pertinent to soil organic carbon sequestration and soil health improvement. Despite numerous studies on these topics, few have numerically quantified the effects of pyrolysis temperature. Our results show that high pyrolysis temperature (>500°C) increased carbon content and pore volume for wood biochar compared with low pyrolysis temperature (≤500°C). The high pyrolysis temperature decreased the H/C ratio and nitrogen content but increased pH, specific surface area and ash content regardless of feedstock. Compared with corn stover biochar and switchgrass biochar, wood biochar had higher carbon content and larger specific surface area but lower nitrogen and ash contents regardless of pyrolysis temperature. The higher biochar carbon content might be derived from higher lignin and cellulose contents of wood feedstock. Wood feedstock had 76%–109% more lignin and 27%–47% more cellulose than corn stover and switchgrass. Corn stover biochar had higher pH, and switchgrass biochar had larger pore volume than wood biochar. Our study indicates that the targeted production of biochar with specific characteristics can be facilitated by the selection of pyrolysis temperature and feedstock type. For amending soil with biochar, more operationally defined biochar production conditions and feedstock selection might be a way forward to wider acceptance and better predictability of biochar performance under field conditions.     

连续施用生物炭对棕壤磷素形态及有效性的影响

【目的】土壤磷有效性差、磷肥利用率低是农业发展的主要限制因素之一。生物炭作为新型土壤改良剂，其独特的理化性质会影响磷素形态及有效性。本研究通过分析连续施用不同用量生物炭对棕壤不同形态磷素含量及变化规律，探讨各形态磷对棕壤磷素有效性的贡献，以期明确生物炭对棕壤磷素有效性的作用，为其合理农用提供理论依据。【方法】本试验研究对象为连续5年增施生物炭的玉米连作棕壤，共设5个处理:不施肥(CK)、单施化肥氮磷钾(NPK )、1.5 t/hm2生物炭 + 氮磷钾(C1NPK)、3 t/hm2生物炭 + 氮磷钾(C2NPK) 和6 t/hm2生物炭 + 氮磷钾(C3NPK)，采用蒋柏藩、顾益初土壤无机磷分级、Bowman-Cole土壤有机磷分级方法测定不同形态磷含量，研究不同用量生物炭配施化肥对棕壤磷素形态及有效性的影响。【结果】连续5年施用生物炭可显著提高棕壤全磷、有效磷含量及磷活化系数；明显提高了棕壤Ca₂-P、Ca₈-P、Al-P、Fe-P、LOP(活性有机磷)、MLOP(中活性有机磷) 含量，降低了MROP(中稳性有机磷) 含量；在磷组分中，MLOP、O-P分别占棕壤有机磷、无机磷比例最大，为64.32%、28.43%。施用生物炭显著提高了Ca₂-P、Ca₈-P占无机磷比例；Al-P与有效磷含量相关系数最大为0.945，LOP、Al-P、MROP对有效磷的直接通径系数较大，分别为0.318、0.285、–0.261；Al-P、HROP(高稳性有机磷) 对有效磷的决策系数分别为0.295和–0.130，是棕壤有效磷的主要决策因子和主要限制因子。【结论】施用生物炭可以促进棕壤磷素积累并提高其活性；施用生物炭条件下，Al-P、LOP是棕壤磷素的活跃组分，提高Al-P含量、限制HROP含量是生物炭提高棕壤磷素有效性的主要途径。     

生物炭对滴灌春小麦产量及土壤肥力的影响

为了解生物炭对滴灌春小麦产量及土壤肥力的影响,通过2年田间试验对灰漠土土壤和春小麦养分及产量等进行了研究。结果表明:与CK相比,施用生物炭显著(P0.05)增加了土壤肥力,并显著(P0.05)增加春小麦对N、P和K的吸收,还对春小麦产量及构成具有积极的促进作用。与NP处理相比,NP+B6处理显著(P0.05)增加了土壤有机质、全氮和速效钾含量以及植株吸磷量。与NP+M6处理相比,NP+B6处理显著(P0.05)增加了土壤全氮、速效钾和植株养分吸收量。     

生物炭对不同酸化水平稻田土壤性质和重金属Cu、Cd有效性影响

针对南方稻田土壤酸化严重,导致养分流失有毒重金属活化,严重影响稻米质量安全的重大现实问题。以水稻秸秆和谷壳等农业废弃物为原料制备生物炭(分别记为RSC和RHC),研究不同原料生物炭对酸化土壤改良及其对重金属有效性的影响。设置3个生物炭用量(0,20,50 g/kg,分别记为CK、C1、C2),4种土壤酸化水平(pH 4.01,4.25,4.33,4.58,分别记为L1、L2、L3、L4),生物炭与重金属污染土壤共同培养60天后测定土壤pH、全氮、有机质、有效磷、速效钾和有效态Cu、Cd含量。结果表明:RSC对酸化土壤pH的改良效果明显优于RHC,且施炭量越高提高幅度越大,RSC的C2处理使4种酸度水平的土壤pH分别提高了0.68,0.97,1.29,1.71个单位。2种生物炭均能提高土壤的全氮、有效磷、速效钾和有机质含量,其中各施炭处理有机质显著提高,尤以速效钾的增幅最为显著,RSC对4种养分的提高均优于RHC。RHC对土壤有效态Cu含量无显著影响;RSC的C2较C1处理更能降低土壤中有效态Cu含量,使4种酸度水平的土壤分别降低了13.62%,6.57%,4.36%,7.88%。RHC处理的L3、L4土壤中有效态Cd含量显著降低,最大分别降低了13.79%,19.23%。RSC使4种酸度土壤有效态Cd含量最大分别降低了20.00%,25.81%,20.69%,19.23%。相关分析表明,土壤pH与有效态重金属含量呈显著负相关关系。水稻秸秆炭用于改良酸化土壤、降低重金属Cu和Cd有效性的效果更佳,且降低污染土壤中Cd的有效性较Cu好;生物炭对酸化程度越低的土壤pH和有效磷含量的提高以及有效态Cd含量的降低效果较好,而有效态Cu含量的降低效果则在酸化程度越高的土壤中表现更佳;土壤pH是生物炭调控重金属Cu、Cd有效性的主要影响因素。     

Combined application of biochar with compost and fertilizer improves soil properties and grain yield of maize

A pot study was conducted to assess the combined effect of biochar (B) with compost (Com) and inorganic fertilizers (F) for improving nutrient acquisition and productivity of maize. Seven different treatments, including B (1% w/w), F (Recommended nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK): 60, 30 and 25 mg kg^─1), Com (1.5% w/w), Com+F (1.5% + NPK), B+F (1% + NPK), B+Com (0.5% + 0.75%), B+Com+F (0.5% + 0.75% + NPK) along with a control (C) without B, Com and F were applied in pots with four replications. The results showed that growth and grain yield of maize increased by the application of B, Com and F compared with C, but B+Com+F was more effective than their sole application (i.e. B, Com and F). Highest leaf chlorophyll content, gas exchange attributes and nutrient concentrations: N, P and K in shoot and grains were observed, where B+Com+F was applied followed by Com+F > B+F > B+Com > F > Com > B > C. Soil properties such as soil organic carbon (SOC), N, P, and K were significantly increased, whereas soil pH was decreased by the combination of B with Com and F. Hence, application of B in combination with Com and F (B+Com+F) could be a good management strategy to enhance crop productivity and improve soil properties.     

功能菌剂与生物炭配施对沙化土壤的影响

研究生物炭和功能菌剂协同调控沙化土壤养分和微生物多样性与功能，可为沙化土壤肥力培育提供理论依据。选择毛乌素沙地典型生态经济林沙化土壤为研究对象，采用田间定位试验，运用高通量扩增测序技术，解析不同添加量(2%,4%,8%)生物炭处理及其配施定量功能菌剂(枯草芽孢杆菌+巨大芽孢杆菌+胶质芽孢杆菌)处理对土壤化学性质及细菌菌群多样性与功能的影响。结果表明：(1)与单一生物炭处理相比，生物炭+功能菌剂处理组土壤有效氮、磷养分含量分别提升44.71%和187.36%;(2)生物炭单施或者配施功能菌剂均使酸杆菌门相对丰度显著降低，而生物炭+功能菌剂处理中厚壁菌门的相对丰度，分别增加163.80%,155.15%,100.21%,并且不同程度上调土壤细菌物种丰富度和多样性；(3)功能菌剂与生物炭配施改变土壤细菌介导的碳氮循环功能，如显著提高土壤细菌的有机物质分解功能，壳聚糖和木聚糖分解过程较对照组分别上升186.54%,242.46%,增强细菌的氨化和呼吸功能，而单施生物炭处理提升细菌的反硝化与固氮功能。综上，生物炭和功能菌剂的添加提高土壤有效氮磷养分含量，显著改变土壤细菌群落多样性与群落功能，生物...     

The application of biochar on soil acidity and other physico‐chemical properties of soils in southern Ethiopia

The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of biochar amendment on soil acidity and other physico‐chemical properties of soil in Southern Ethiopia using a field experiment of three treatments: (1) biochar made of corn cobs, (2) biochar made of chopped Lantana camara stem, and (3) biochar made of Eucalyptus globulus feedstock and a control, in which neither of the biochar was used. Each treatment had three levels of 6, 12 and 18 t ha⁻¹. The experiment was setup with RCBD in a factorial arrangement with three replications. In this regard, a total of 36 plots (each 2 × 2 m size) were applied with three replications to the depth of 0–15cm. From these 36 plots, composite soil samples were collected to the depth of 0–30 cm and analyzed for bulk density, total porosity, pH, soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, potassium, and exchangeable acidity using standard procedures before and after biochar application. Two‐way ANOVA was also used to analyze the impact of the biochars on soil acidity and other properties. For the treatments that had significant effects, a mean separation was made using Least Significance Difference (LSD) test. The results showed the application of biochar significantly reduced, soil bulk density and exchangeable acidity when compared with a control (p < 0.05). Moreover, the total soil porosity, soil pH, total nitrogen, soil organic carbon, available phosphorus, and potassium were significantly increased in the soil. From among applied biochar treatments, Lantana camara applied at the level of 18 t ha⁻¹ had a higher impact in changing soil physico‐chemical properties. In general, the study suggests that the soil acidity can be reduced by applying biochar as it can amend other soil physico‐chemical properties.     

Rice straw biochar amended soil improves wheat productivity and accumulated phosphorus in grain

Abstract

Biochar is a pyrolyzed biomass produced under limited oxygen or oxygen absent conditions. Few investigations have been conducted to determine the combined effect of biochar with chemical fertilizer on growth, yield and nutrient distribution pattern in root, shoot and grain in wheat as well as changes in soil physiochemical properties. This research was designed to study the combined effect of chemical fertilizer and rice straw-derived biochar on soil physio-chemical properties, growth, yield and nutrient distribution pattern within wheat plant tissue and grain. Results showed that rice straw biochar caused a significant decrease in soil pH and increase in soil organic matter as well as nutrients like total nitrogen (TN), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg) and boron (B) due to incubation. Result also showed that root biomass and straw did not differ between Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) and ½ BARC?+?rice straw biochar treatment. Similarly, thousand grain weight and grain yield did not differ between the same treatments. The phosphorus concentration in wheat grain was highest in ½ BARC?+?rice straw biochar as compared to other treatments. The use of rice straw biochar in addition to the chemical fertilizers in wheat production systems is an economically feasible and practical nutrient management practice. Our findings urged that reduction of chemical fertilizer application is possible with supplementation of rice straw biochar.     

Pig manure digestate-derived biochar for soil management and crop cultivation in heavy metals contaminated soil

Management of heavy metal-contaminated soil under drought and other harsh hydrological conditions is critical for protecting soil ecosystem services. In this study, we examined the effect of pig manure digestate-derived biochar as a soil amendment (15 t ha⁻¹) with N fertilizer (180 kg ha⁻¹) on soil and plant heavy metal levels and nutrient availability under various moisture regimes (optimal moisture ~15%, drought condition ≤5%, and flooded condition ≥35% wt.). It was observed that biochar applications significantly decreased heavy metals in the spring wheat plants, lowering Cr by 90%, Ni by 50%, Cd by 9% and Pb by 34% compared to non-biochar (control) treatments. However, the pig digestate-derived biochar increased heavy metals in soil under all moisture regimes, increasing soil Cr by 21%, Ni by 43%, Cu by 55%, Zn by 70%, and Pb by 12%. The availability of macroelements also increased with the biochar applications under the optimum moisture regimes in both soil and plants, increasing Mg²⁺ by 11%, P by 4%, K⁺ by 50%, and Ca²⁺ by 56% in the soil, and Mg²⁺ by 13%, P by 69%, K⁺ by 29, and Ca²⁺ by 39% in plants. Biochar addition also improved chlorophyll fluorescence (CF) levels in the crop for the entire season (12^th to 62^nd day) and the aboveground crop biomass and dry matter contents both increased. Consequently, the use of pig manure digestate-derived biochar with N fertilizer under normal moisture conditions was able to reduce heavy metal availability to plants and thus could be used in contaminated soils to maintain better crop growth and development.     

Low-cost and environmental-friendly Triticum aestivum-derived biochar for improving plant growth and soil fertility

ABSTRACT

Biochar and biochar–fertilizer concoction is imperative to subjugate reduced plant growth and soil fertility depletion which is a constraint for sustainable agriculture. The aspiration of the current research was to determine the plant growth response to wheat straw-derived biochar annexation in soils from two regions: Rawalpindi (semi-arid) and Thar (arid). Wheat straw (Triticum aestivum) was pyrolyzed at 300°C in a low-cost biochar retort kiln at different concentration rates (0%, 1%, 3%, and 7% by mass). Growth trend of Sorghum bicolor was observed in these soils for 40 days in a greenhouse. Fertilizer (NPK) (8.58% N, 4.39% P, and 3.48% K) was added to soil on the third day of seed germination. Soil physicochemical analysis, plant growth, and dry matter yield evaluation after the treatment signified the concomitant increase in dry matter yield along with enhanced soil fertility and plant growth.     

Increased phosphorus availability to corn resulting from the simultaneous applications of phosphate rock, calcareous rock, and biochar to an acid sandy soil

Phosphorus (P) deficiency is one of the main constraints on crop production in Arenosols (acid sandy soil). The high cost of P fertilizers may represent an insurmountable obstacle in many poor countries, leaving the exploitation of their own calcareous and phosphate rocks as the only low-cost and long-term alternative. Biochar is suggested to have positive effects on soil properties; however, there is no published research on the synergistic effects of biochar and rocky materials in modifying soil properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical and biochemical responses of an acid Arenosol treated with phosphate rock (PR), calcareous rock (CR), and biochar (BC), and the implications for corn yield. A soil from Marracuene District, Mozambique was used, where corn was grown for 90 d with the soil treated with:no addition (control), water-soluble zinc phosphite fertilizer (WSP), PR, WSP+CR, WSP+BC, WSP+CR+BC, PR+BC, and PR+CR+BC. Biochar was produced by pyrolysis of babycorn peels for 4 h at 450℃ and applied at 11 g kg^-1. The soil pH_H2O increased from about 4.54 in the control to 7.38 in the PR+CR+BC treatment. Easily oxidizable organic carbon, cation exchange capacity, and available P were higher in the treatments containing BC than in the control. The treatments containing CR and/or BC led to the highest activities of alkaline phosphomonoesterase, phosphodiesterase, and α-glucosidase, which increased P availability and gave the greatest biomass and yields. We suggest that biochar provides additional soluble P and supplies adsorption sites for phosphate, preventing its evolution to unavailable forms. Thus, PR applied together with BC contributed to an 840% yield increase compared to the control. The treatments containing WSP and BC facilitated phosphite oxidation to phosphate and increased crop yield.     

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.     

Benefits of Biochars and NPK Fertilizers for Soil Quality and Growth of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) in an Acid Arenosol

Fertilization is required for optimum plant growth, particularly in unfertile soils, while optimizing nutrient use efficiency is an alternative to reduce inorganic fertilizer needs and reduce environmental problems caused by nutrient leaching. This study investigated soil properties and cowpea yield responses to biochars (BCs) made from different feedstocks, baby corn peel biochar (BC1), branches of mango tree biochar (BC2), and rice husk biochar (BC3), applied in combination with nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK) fertilizers. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, using an acid sandy soil (Arenosol) that was submitted for 70 d to the following eight treatments:i) control; ii) full dose of NPK (a commercial compound fertilizer (12-24-12 of N-P₂O₅-K₂O) + urea (46% N)); iii) BC1 + half dose of NPK; iv) BC1 + full dose of NPK; v) BC2 + half dose of NPK; vi) BC2 + full dose of NPK; vii) BC3 + half dose of NPK; and viii) BC3 + full dose of NPK. All biochars were applied at a rate of 0.9% (weight/weight), and each type of biochar was combined with half and full doses of NPK fertilizers. Soil pH increased significantly (P < 0.05) in treatments with BC1 and BC2, while cation exchange capacity (CEC) and available P were higher in the treatments with BC1; BC1 and BC2 also induced higher activity of enzymes related to the P cycle and higher cowpea yield. Similar soil properties and cowpea yield parameters were obtained with the full and half doses of NPK fertilizers for each type of biochar used. In conclusion, biochars in the combination with NPK fertilizers improved soil chemistry and enzymatic activities, allowing reduced fertilizer application and food production costs in the acid soil studied.     

Enhancing phosphorus availability,soil organic carbon,maize productivity and farm profitability through biochar and organic–inorganic fertilizers in an irrigated maize agroecosystem under semi‐arid climate

Biochar amendments offer promising potential to improve soil fertility, soil organic carbon (SOC) and crop yields; however, a limited research has explored these benefits of biochar in the arid and semi‐arid regions. This two‐year field study investigated the effects of Acacia tree biomass‐derived biochar, applied at 0 and 10 t ha^?1 rates with farmyard manure (FYM) or poultry manure (PM) and mineral phosphorus (P) fertilizer combinations (100 kg P ha^‐1), on maize (Zea mays L.) productivity, P use efficiency (PUE) and farm profitability. The application of biochar with organic–inorganic P fertilizers significantly increased soil P and SOC contents than the sole organic or inorganic P fertilizers. Addition of biochar and PM as 100% P source resulted in the highest soil P (104% increase over control) and SOC contents (203% higher than control). However, maize productivity and PUE were significantly higher under balanced P fertilizer (50% organic + 50% mineral fertilizer) with biochar and the increase was 110%, 94% and 170% than 100%‐FYM, 100%‐PM and 100% mineral fertilizer, respectively. Maize productivity and yield correlated significantly positively with soil P and SOC contents These positive effects were possibly due to the ability of biochar to improve soil properties, P availability from organic–inorganic fertilizers and SOC which resulted in higher PUE and maize productivity. Despite the significant positive relationship of PUE with net economic returns, biochar incorporation with PM and mineral fertilizer combination was economically profitable, whereas FYM along biochar was not profitable due to short duration of the field experiments.