Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
9952678 | Biomass and Bioenergy | 2018 | 9 Pages |
Abstract
Biochar affects soil properties and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions when used as an agricultural amendment. Using a field study, we quantified the effects of two different biochar treatments [3 t/ha poultry manure + 3 t haâ1 biochar (MB); and 3â¯tâ¯haâ1 poultry manure, 3â¯tâ¯haâ1 biochar + 135 kg N ha-1 (MNB)] compared to a non-biochar amended soil [6â¯tâ¯haâ1 poultry manure + 135 kg N ha-1 (MN)] on soil characteristics [organic carbon (SOC), nitrogen (N), C/N, pH, moisture and temperature], crop metrics and temporal variations in NH4+N, NO3â-N and GHG over 2 years. MNB and MB treatments had a significantly lower (pâ¯<â¯0.05) soil moisture (16-22%), temperature (1-4%) and NO3â-N (24-39%) concentration compared to MN. The C/N ratio was 12% greater (pâ¯<â¯0.05) in biochar amended soil compared to MN. Crop metrics were not significantly different (pâ¯<â¯0.05). In both years, CO2 missions were significantly different (pâ¯<â¯0.05) among seasons (spring, summer, autumn) within and between treatments. N2O emissions were significantly different (pâ¯<â¯0.05) among seasons, and was 20% greater in the MNB treatment, in year 2 only. GHG emissions significantly (pâ¯<â¯0.05) correlated to soil moisture, temperature and NH4+. Our results demonstrated that biochar combined with poultry manure and/or N fertilizer caused no negative effects on soil and crops relative to commercial farming practices (poultry manure + mineral N fertilizer). We found that biochar influenced carbon (C) and N transformations in the soil-plant-atmosphere system and caused seasonal changes in GHG emissions.
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Authors
M.A.A. Mechler, R.W. Jiang, T.K. Silverthorn, M. Oelbermann,