Crop yield and SOC responses to biochar application were dependent on soil texture and crop type in southern Quebec, Canada

Abstract

Changes to soil nutrient availability and increases for crop yield and soil organic C (SOC) concentration on biochar‐amended soil under temperate climate conditions have only been reported in a few publications. The objective of this work was to determine if biochar application rates up to 20 Mg ha−1 affect nutrient availability in soil, SOC stocks and yield of corn (Zea mays L.), soybean (Glycine max L.), and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) on two coarse‐textured soils (loamy sand, sandy clay loam) in S Quebec, Canada. Data were collected from field experiments for a 3‐y period following application of pine wood biochar at rates of 0, 10, and 20 Mg ha−1. For corn plots, at harvest 3 y after biochar application, 20 Mg biochar ha−1 resulted in 41.2% lower soil NH $ _4^+ $ on the loamy sand; the same effect was not present on the sandy clay loam soil. On the loamy sand, 20 Mg biochar ha−1 increased corn yields by 14.2% compared to the control 3 y after application; the same effect was not present on the sandy clay loam soil. Biochar did not alter yield or nutrient availability in soil on soybean or switchgrass plots on either soil type. After 3 y, SOC concentration was 83 and 258% greater after 10 and 20 Mg ha−1 biochar applications, respectively, than the control in sandy clay loam soil under switchgrass production. The same effect was not present on the sandy clay loam soil. A 67% higher SOC concentration was noted with biochar application at 20 Mg ha−1 to sandy clay loam soil under corn.

Role of Nutrient-Enriched Biochar as a Soil Amendment during Maize Growth: Exploring Practical Alternatives to Recycle Agricultural Residuals and to Reduce Chemical Fertilizer Demand

“…The positive increase in SOC and macronutrients upon soil amendment with digestate-enriched biochar materials indicates that coupling anaerobic digestion and pyrolysis could be an important step in improving and maintaining long term fertility [59]. Moreover, in the present study the increase in SOC also resulted in synergistic benefits such as reduced bulk density and increased plant-availability of Ca, K, P, and Na (see Supplementary Table S2).…”

Soil carbon increased by twice the amount of biochar carbon applied after 6 years: Field evidence of negative priming

“…High rates of corn residue removal can increase the risks of soil erosion and reduce soil C storage (Acharya & Blanco‐Canqui, ; Blanco‐Canqui, Stalker, et al, ; Blanco‐Canqui, Tatarko, Stalker, Shaver, & Van Donk, ; Laird & Chang, ; Ruis et al, ). Adding biochar to corn fields is a potential strategy to mitigate the negative effects of residue harvesting on soil quality and C stocks (Backer, Schwinghamer, Whalen, Seguin, & Smith, ; Laird & Chang, ; Ventura et al, ). Biochar application can rapidly increase soil C levels relative to other practices such as cover crops and diversified crop rotations, which commonly take extended periods of time to significantly change soil C stocks (Poeplau & Don, ).…”

Getting to the root of the matter: Water-soluble and volatile components in thermally-treated biosolids and biochar differentially regulate maize (Zea mays) seedling growth

“…This is equivalent to an application rate of 26 Mg ha -1 which is commonly used in the literature as a field application rate of biochar literature as a field application rate in temperate soils [ 7 , 23 ]. In our previous field and greenhouse experiments, this application rate of SC500 increased maize yield and N uptake under field conditions and altered root morphology under greenhouse conditions [ 3 , 8 ]. For DC the treatment was applied to the same compartment as the seeds; for VOC the treatment was applied to the compartment opposite the seeds.…”

“…Each seedling was harvested at the V3 growth stage, approximately 28 days after sowing. This stage was chosen since our previous publication showed that increased root length at the V3 growth stage in soil amended with SC500 was associated with improved N uptake and root biomass production at the reproductive growth stage under greenhouse conditions and increased yield and N uptake under field conditions on loamy sand soil [ 3 , 8 ]. Therefore, we considered it an appropriate growth for sampling since the biochar produced measurable effects at this stage, that were translated into yield differences at harvest.…”

“…Biochar effects on aboveground biomass and plant nutrient uptake are mediated by changes to root biomass and architecture and nutrient availability in soil; these effects are variable depending on soil type, environmental conditions and biochar production parameters [ 3 – 8 ]. The incorporation of torrefied biomass into soil has received less attention than soil amendment with biochar but has been shown to hold potential as a fertilizer [ 7 ] among other applications such as a substitute for peat in growing media [ 9 ].…”