Biochar and Soil Physical Properties

Blanco‐Canqui, Humberto

doi:10.2136/sssaj2017.01.0017

Cited by 696 publications

(501 citation statements)

References 101 publications

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“…An increase in pore space, particularly macropore space, results in greater water movement into the soil, reducing the amount of water available for runoff. Studies have shown that biochar application can generally reduce soil bulk density and thus increase porosity (i.e., macroporosity; Blanco‐Canqui, 2017). The increase in soil porosity can be as high as 64% (Blanco‐Canqui, 2017).…”

Section: Biochar and Soil Erodibilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Studies have shown that biochar application can generally reduce soil bulk density and thus increase porosity (i.e., macroporosity; Blanco‐Canqui, 2017). The increase in soil porosity can be as high as 64% (Blanco‐Canqui, 2017). Changes in bulk density with biochar application can depend on biochar particle size, pyrolysis temperature, and other biochar properties.…”

Section: Biochar and Soil Erodibilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, addition of fine or milled biochar to sandy soils can increase their bulk density (Liu et al, 2016). Biochar particles often have lower density than soil particles (Blanco‐Canqui, 2017). Biochar can also decrease soil bulk density and increase porosity by improving soil aggregation (Baiamonte et al, 2015).…”

Section: Biochar and Soil Erodibilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Studies have found that biochar application can increase wet aggregate stability by 3 to 226% (Blanco‐Canqui, 2017). The high variability in biochar effectiveness on increasing aggregate stability can be attributed to differences in soil texture and biochar particle size (Baiamonte et al, 2015; Blanco‐Canqui, 2017). Addition of fine biochar can enhance aggregation more in sandy soils than in silty clay and clayey soils.…”

Section: Biochar and Soil Erodibilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Biochar and Water Quality

Blanco‐Canqui¹

2019

J of Env Quality

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Biochar application is considered to be an emerging strategy to improve soil ecosystem services. However, implications of such application on water quality parameters have not been widely discussed. This paper synthesizes the state‐of‐the‐art research on biochar effects on water erosion, nitrate leaching, and other sources of water pollution. Literature indicates that in general, biochar application reduces runoff by 5 to 50% and soil loss by 11 to 78%, suggesting that it can be effective at reducing water erosion, but the magnitude of erosion reduction is highly variable. Co‐application of biochar with other organic amendments (i.e., animal manure, compost) appears to be more effective at reducing water erosion than biochar alone. A main mechanism by which biochar can reduce water erosion is by improving soil properties (i.e., organic C, hydraulic conductivity, aggregate stability), which affect soil erodibility. This review also indicates that biochar reduces nitrate leaching, in most cases by 2 to 88%, but has mixed effect on phosphate and dissolved C leaching. Additionally, biochar effectively filters urban runoff, adsorbs pollutants, and reduces pesticides losses. Biochar feedstock, pyrolysis temperature, application amount, time after application, and co‐application with other amendments affect biochar impacts on water quality. Biochar erosion and potential reduction in nutrient and pesticide use efficiency due to the strong adsorption are concerns that deserve consideration. Overall, biochar application has the potential to reduce water erosion, nitrate leaching, pesticide losses, and other pollutant losses, but more field‐scale data are needed to better discern the extent to which biochar can improve water quality. Core Ideas Biochar can reduce water erosion, but the magnitude of reduction is variable. Biochar combined with other organic amendments can reduce water erosion more than biochar alone. Biochar can reduce nitrate leaching but has mixed effects on phosphate and dissolved C leaching. Biochar filters urban runoff, adsorbs organic pollutants, and reduces pesticide losses. More field data on the effectiveness of biochar for improving water quality are needed.

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Section: Biochar and Soil Erodibilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Biochar and Soil Erodibilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Biochar and Soil Erodibilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Biochar and Soil Erodibilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Biochar and Water Quality

Blanco‐Canqui¹

2019

J of Env Quality

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“…Responses of grain and residue yields from crops to soil biochar amendment are generally found to decrease with increasing rates of input, and applications as little as 0.5 Mg DM/ha (DM, dry mass) have shown significant positive effects on crop productivity (Liu et al 2013). The observed gains in crop production likely result from the multiple beneficial impacts of biochar amendment on soil properties, such as the exchange capacity, aggregation, and hydraulic conductivity (Liang et al 2006, Blanco-Canqui 2017, as well as the poor nutritional status of farmland soils that were studied; which is a widespread phenomenon across SSA.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biophysical Potential of Crop Residues for Biochar Carbon Sequestration, and Co‐benefits, in Uganda

Roobroeck¹,

Hood‐Nowotny²,

Nakubulwa³

et al. 2019

Bulletin Ecologic Soc America

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To what extent greenhouse gas emissions could be offset by soil biochar amendment is hotly debated. Residues from staple food crops are an obvious and promising choice, for gasifier energy appliances and biochar production in farming system of tropical Africa, for example, Uganda. Yet until now, the quantities of biomass residues from staple crops available for these technologies and their potential carbon sequestration have not been comprehensively investigated. Our interdisciplinary research demonstrates that biochar from unused biomass waste on farms in Uganda presents substantial opportunities for mitigation of climate change, generation of low-carbon energy, and intensification of agriculture.

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Potential amendments for improving productivity of low carbon semiarid soil

Maharjan

Panday

Blanco‐Canqui

et al. 2021

Agrosystems Geosci & Env

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Applying soil amendments with high C content can potentially improve soil properties and increase crop yields. The objective of this 3-yr field study was to evaluate the effects of organic amendments on soil organic C (SOC), chemical properties, crop nutrient uptake, and crop yields in a low C sandy loam soil near Scottsbluff, NE. The field was planted to dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in 2017, maize (Zea mays L.) in 2018, and sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) in 2019. Char at 22.3, 44.6, 66.9, 89.2, and 133.8 Mg ha -1 ; biochar at 5.6 and 11.2 Mg ha -1 ; and composted manure and municipal compost each at 33.6 and 67.2 Mg ha -1 were applied and incorporated into the soil. In 1 yr after application, organic amendments increased SOC level in top 20 cm by 7-60%. In the second year, maize leaf tissue Fe was greater with char treatments and high biochar rate compared with the control. Greater Fe uptake in beet leaf tissue or trend for such was observed in amendment treatments at high rates compared with low rates and the control in the third year. Maize yield was enhanced with char, municipal compost, and high compost manure rate. Biochar was applied at lower rates than other amendments, and it had no effects on the parameters studied. Results suggest that locally available organic products can be potential soil amendments to increase SOC and enhance productivity. Care needs to be taken to prevent salt buildup and unwanted toxic material accumulation associated with amendments. INTRODUCTIONSoil degradation, nutrient depletion, and declining crop productivity are major constraints in agriculture, particularly in semiarid region of the U.

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Biochar and Soil Physical Properties

Cited by 696 publications

References 101 publications

Biochar and Water Quality

Biochar and Water Quality

Biophysical Potential of Crop Residues for Biochar Carbon Sequestration, and Co‐benefits, in Uganda

Potential amendments for improving productivity of low carbon semiarid soil

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