Combined Application of Rice Husk Biochar and Lime Increases Phosphorus Availability and Maize Yield in an Acidic Soil

Abstract

Biochar, a pyrogenic carbon, has been receiving incremental attention for potential contribution to soil health, agricultural productivity enhancement while mitigating climate change by sequestering carbon and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, it is not well-known to us how far rice husk biochar (RHB) application rates could increase phosphorus (P) bioavailability and plant performance when co-applied with P and lime. Here, we present data of a pot experiment consisting of eleven treatments to evaluate RHB, lime, and phosphorus effect on soil phosphorus availability, CO2 emission, nutrient uptake, and yield performance of maize. Co-application of RHB (10 and 15 t ha−1) and lime (100% and 75%) was made with different rates of P (100%, 75%, and 50%). Our result revealed that, at harvest, the combined application of RHB, lime, and phosphorus fertilizer significantly increased soil pH, P availability and decreased Al and Fe toxicity relative to the control while increasing maize yield. The maximum soil pH increased by 36.75%, the highest available P increased by 158.75%, whilst, the exchangeable Al content reduced by 96.84% compared to the control treatment. However, the difference in biomass production and yield among different lime, RHB, and P were minimal, with the largest grain yield (15.50 t ha−1) was recorded in the T6 treatments (75% lime + 10 t ha−1 RHB + 100% Triple superphosphate). The increment in biomass and grain yield could have occurred due to lime and RHB mediated changes in soil properties, including enhancement of soil pH, availability of P, and other nutrients. This increased availability then increased nutrient uptake and biomass production. Our results suggest that the combined application of lime and RHB could bring favorable changes in soil properties while sacrificing some carbon from soils.

Preliminary Findings on Cadmium Bioaccumulation and Photosynthesis in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) and Maize (Zea mays L.) Using Biochar Made from C3- and C4-Originated Straw

“…According to [ 40 ], the photosynthetic rate was analyzed in five selected plants per plot in week 13 after the start of the experiment using a portable photosynthesis device (Li-6400XT, NE, USA). The chlorophyll index was determined by a 508 SPAD chlorophyll meter and the leaf area was measured with the Delta-T (Divises Ltd., Hatfield, UK).…”

Biochar-Assisted Phytostabilization for Potentially Toxic Element Immobilization

“…Biochar generally has a neutral or slightly alkaline pH, and its alkalinity increases with the pyrolysis temperature, typically carried out at 300 up to 600 • C, under little or no oxygen conditions [39]. The literature abounds with studies showing that biochar, as a soil additive, has the ability to raise the soil pH (that is, to neutralize its acidity) [40][41][42][43]. It has also been demonstrated that biochar contains many alkaline substances, including calcium carbonate in amounts ranging from 0.5% to 33%, and thus can increase the pH of soils [44].…”

Use of Humic and Silica Materials as Soil Ameliorant to Improve the Chemical Properties of Acid Sulphate Soil

“…Applying biochar increases available P in the soil and P uptake by plants in acid soils [29]. Combined application of rice husk biochar, P fertilizer, and lime significantly increased soil pH and P availability and decreased Al and Fe toxicity [30]. In this research, the water hyacinth compost used has a humic acid content of around 1.48% and a fulvic acid content of about 0.93%.…”