Biochar-based nursery substrates: The effect of peat substitution on reduced salinity

Lonardo, Sara Di; Baronti, Silvia; Vaccari, Francesco Primo; Albanese, Lorenzo; Battista, Piero; Miglietta, Franco; Bacci, L.

doi:10.1016/j.ufug.2017.02.007

Cited by 30 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…The application of biochar in association with irrigation to salt‐affected soil is potentially capable of reducing salinity (Baiamonte, Crescimanno, Parrino, & Pasquale, 2019; Saifullah et al., 2018). The good porosity and large specific surface area of biochar can increase soil porosity and infiltration to enhance salt leaching during irrigation (Di Lonardo et al., 2017). Owing to the some contents of K + and Ca 2+ , biochar can also regulate ion composition and abate the negative effect of soil salinity on plant growth by exchanging its Ca 2+ with Na + in soil solution (Lashari et al., 2015; Zheng et al., 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating the effect of biochar on salt leaching and nutrient retention of Yellow River Delta soil

Xiao

Meng

2020

Soil Use and Management

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Biochar has the potential to decrease salinity and nutrient loss of saline soil. We investigated the effects of biochar amendment (0-10 g kg −1) on salinity of saline soil (2.8‰ salt) in NaCl leaching and nutrient retention by conducting column leaching experiments. The biochar was produced in situ from Salix fragilis L. via a fire-water coupled process. The soil columns irrigated with 15 cm of water showed that biochar amendment (4 g kg −1) decreased the concentration Na + by 25.55% in the first irrigation and to 60.30% for the second irrigation in sandy loam layer over the corresponding control (CK). Meanwhile, the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) of soil after the first and second irrigation was 1.62 and 0.54, respectively, which were 15.2% and 49.5% lower than CK. The marked increase in saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) from 0.15 × 10-5 cm s −1 for CK to 0.39 × 10-5 cm s −1 , following 4 g kg −1 of biochar addition, was conducive to salt leaching. Besides, biochar use (4 g kg −1) increased NH 4 +-N and Olsen-P by 63.63% and 62.50% over the CK, but accelerated NO 3-N leaching. Since 15 cm hydrostatic pressure would result in salt accumulation of root zone, we would recommend using 4 g kg −1 of biochar, 30 cm of water to ease the problem of salt leaching from the surface horizon to the subsoil. This study would provide a guidance to remediate the saline soil in the Yellow River Delta by judicious application of biochar and irrigation.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating the effect of biochar on salt leaching and nutrient retention of Yellow River Delta soil

Xiao

Meng

2020

Soil Use and Management

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“…A major component of substrate is peat [5] due to its desirable physiochemical characteristics [6]. In Europe, the volume of organic substrate used for the nursery sector amounts to 34.6 million m 3 per annum, of which 27 million m 3 is composed of peat [7]. The use of peat as growing media, however, has caused ecological concerns [8] because peat is a non-renewable resource, and peatland is a sink of carbon dioxide [9,10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biochar or Biochar-Compost Amendment to a Peat-Based Substrate Improves Growth of Syngonium podophyllum

2019

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Increasing demand for sustainable and low-cost alternatives to peat is a challenge in the production of container-grown plants. Biochar (BC) and compost, as eco-friendly materials, could be used to completely or partially substitute for peat. However, information regarding plant responses to the substitution is limited. This study evaluated effects of the amendment of a BC or a BC-compost mixture (BioComp) to a peat-based substrate at 20% by volume on the growth of Syngonium podophyllum. BC was pyrolyzed from wheat straw at 350 °C. Compost was made from farm green waste. BC or BioComp amendment elevated the pH and electrical conductivity of formulated substrates and improved plant growth. Concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and chlorophyll in leaves and the net photosynthetic rate of plants grown in BC or BioComp amended substrates were significantly higher than those grown in the control substrate. Total soluble protein and total phenolic contents were greater in plants grown in BC- or BioComp-amended substrates as well, but no significant difference occurred in reactive oxygen-related enzymatic activities, reducing power or proline contents across substrates. Our results show that BC or BioComp can be used to replace 20% of peat by volume, and such replacement enhanced S. podophyllum growth.

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“…As hydrochar is usually friable and dusty, pelletization decreases dust formation, unifies its shape and size and facilitate transportation and distribution. Other benefits of reducing the loss of nutrients (e.g., nitrate and phosphate) and water, reducing bulk density and providing a beneficial environment for microbes as well as improved total porosity and aeration porosity in containers have been also reported by Di Lonardo et al [20] and Dumroese et al [10]. Thus far, however, there has been no discussion about the use of hydrochar pellets in nursery substrate constituent.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 86%

“…Biochars as soil amendment not only contribute to storing carbon in the soils but also act as fertilizers [13,14], which subsequently reduces the environmental impact [15,16] and economic cost of plant production [17]. Moreover, biochar can increase substrate pH, improve water-holding capacity and enhance phyto-available nutrients by decreasing nutrient leaching and increasing cation exchange capacity (CEC) and consequently, enhance plant growth and productivity [18][19][20][21]. Biochar from paper sludge has also been characterized with high specific surface area [22] and has shown promising effect on simulating growth of plants such as Lolium perenne [23].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hydrochar-Amended Substrates for Production of Containerized Pine Tree Seedlings under Different Fertilization Regimes

et al. 2019

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There is a growing body of research that recognizes the potentials of biochar application in agricultural production systems. However, little is known about the effects of biochar, especially hydrochar, on production of containerized seedlings under nursery conditions. This study aimed to test the effects of hydrochar application on growth, quality, nutrient and heavy metal contents, and mycorrhizal association of containerized pine seedlings. The hydrochar used in this study was produced through hydrothermal carbonization of paper mill biosludge at 200 °C. Two forms of hydrochar (powder and pellet) were mixed with peat at ratios of 10% and 20% (v/v) under three levels of applied commercial fertilizer (nil, half and full rates). Application of hydrochar had positive or neutral effects on shoot biomass and stem diameter compared with control seedlings (without hydrochar) under tested fertilizer levels. Analysis of the natural logarithmic response ratios (LnRR) of quality index and nutrient and heavy metal uptake revealed that application of 20% (v/v) hydrochar powder or pellet with 50% fertilizer resulted in same quality pine seedlings with similar heavy metal (Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn and Cr) and nutrient (P, K, Ca and Mg) contents as untreated seedlings supplied with 100% fertilizer. Colonization percentage by ectomycorrhizae significantly increased when either forms of hydrochar were applied at a rate of 20% under unfertilized condition. The results of this study implied that application of proper rates of hydrochar from biosludge with adjusted levels of liquid fertilizer may reduce fertilizer requirements in pine nurseries.

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Biochar-based nursery substrates: The effect of peat substitution on reduced salinity

Cited by 30 publications

References 57 publications

Evaluating the effect of biochar on salt leaching and nutrient retention of Yellow River Delta soil

Evaluating the effect of biochar on salt leaching and nutrient retention of Yellow River Delta soil

Biochar or Biochar-Compost Amendment to a Peat-Based Substrate Improves Growth of Syngonium podophyllum

Hydrochar-Amended Substrates for Production of Containerized Pine Tree Seedlings under Different Fertilization Regimes

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