Biochar and Manure Affect Calcareous Soil and Corn Silage Nutrient Concentrations and Uptake.

Lentz, R.D. and Ippolito, J.A. (2012) Biochar and Manure Affect Calcareous Soil and Corn Silage Nutrient Concentrations and Uptake. Journal of Environmental Quality. 41(4):1033-1043. 2 July 2012.

PDF 1424.pdf Download (1MB)

Abstract

When added to soils, carbon-rich biochar derived from the pyrolysis of woody materials can sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide, mitigate climate change, and potentially increase crop productivity. However, research is needed to confirm the suitability and sustainability of biochar application to different soils. We applied four treatments (dry wt.) to an irrigated calcareous soil in Nov. 2008: control; stockpiled dairy manure, 18.8 Mg/ha; hardwood-derived biochar, 22.4 Mg/ha; and manure + biochar using previous rates. Nitrogen fertilizer was applied when needed (based on pre-season soil test N and crop requirements) in all plots and years with N mineralized from added manure included in this determination. Available soil nutrients (NH4-N, NO3-N, Olsen P, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable K, Mg, Na, Cu, Mn, Zn, Fe), total C and N (TC, TN), total organic C (TOC), and pH were determined periodically, and silage corn nutrient concentration, yield, and uptake were measured over two growing seasons. Biochar treatment resulted in a 1.5-fold increase in available soil Mn and 1.4-fold increase in TC and TOC, where manure produced a 1.2- to 1.7-fold increase in soil macro- and micro-nutrients (except Fe), compared to controls. In 2009, biochar increased corn silage B concentration but produced no yield increase; and in 2010, biochar decreased corn silage TN (33%), S (7%) concentrations, and yield (36%) relative to controls. Manure produced a 1.3-fold increase in corn silage Cu, Mn, S, Mg, K, and TN concentrations and yield compared to the control in 2010. The combined biochar-manure effects were not synergistic, except in the case of available soil Mn. In these calcareous soils biochar did not alter pH or availability of P and cations, as is typically observed for acidic soils. If the second year results are indicative of future effects, they suggest that biochar applications lead to reduced N availability in calcareous soils and may need to be accompanied by additional N inputs if yield targets are to be maintained.

Item Type:	Article
NWISRL Publication Number:	1424
Subjects:	Irrigated crops > Corn / maize Manure Soil > Calcareous soil Soil
Depositing User:	Users 6 not found.
Date Deposited:	10 Jul 2012 16:47
Last Modified:	22 Jan 2014 22:45
Item ID:	1459
URI:	https://eprints.nwisrl.ars.usda.gov/id/eprint/1459