Hydrochar enhances growth of poplar for bioenergy while marginally contributing to direct soil carbon sequestration

Baronti, Silvia; Alberti, Giorgio; Camin, Federica; Criscuoli, Irene; Genesio, L.; Mass, R.; Vaccari, Francesco Primo; Ziller, Luca; Miglietta, Franco

doi:10.1111/gcbb.12450

Cited by 35 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…With regards to plant growth, Baronti et al (2017) found a significant increase in the biomass production of poplar trees with HC addition after two consecutive years, while Bargmann et al (2014b) showed no negative effects on spring barley at a 4% HC application rate. Furthermore, Schimmelpfennig et al (2014) saw a substantial reduction in plant growth with the field application of HC, particularly in the first year of the experiment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 90%

The influence of hydrochar from biogas digestate on soil improvement and plant growth aspects

Jager

Röhrdanz

Giani

2020

Biochar

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Hydrochar (HC), produced by hydrothermal carbonization, offers technical advantages over biochar (BC) produced by pyrolysis, and is suitable for soil amelioration, carbon sequestration, and enhanced plant growth. BC grain size has been shown to influence nutrient retention, microbial colonization and aggregate formation; however, similar research for HC is lacking. Pot trials were conducted to investigate the influence of HC grain size [coarse (6.3-2 mm), medium (2-0.63 mm) and fine (< 0.63 mm)], produced from biogas digestate, for soil improvement in three soils: loamy Chernozem, sandy Podzol, and clayey Gleysol, at a 5% HC application rate (w/w). All soils including two controls (with and without plants) were analysed for water holding capacity (WHC), cation exchange capacity (CEC), wet aggregate stability, pH, plant available nutrients (PO 4 -P, K and N min ) and germination and biomass success using standard laboratory and statistical methods. Soil pH showed a compensatory shift toward the HC pH (7.2) in all soils over the course of the study. For example, the pH of the medium grained HC treatment for the Chernozem decreased from 7.9 to 7.2 and increased in the Podzol and Gleysol from 5.9 to 6.1 and 4.9 to 5.5, respectively. The nutrient-rich HC (2034 ± 38.3 mg kg −1 PO 4 -P and 2612.5 ± 268.7 mg kg −1 K content) provided only a short-term supply of nutrients, due to the relatively easily mineralized fraction of HC, which allowed for quick nutrient release. The pH and PO 4 -P effects were most pronounced in the fine grained HC treatments, with a ~ 87%, ~ 308% and ~ 2500% increase in PO 4 -P content in the Chernozem, Podzol and Gleysol, respectively, compared to the controls at the beginning of the study. The same trend was observed for the K and NH 4 + content in the fine and medium grained HC treatments in all soils. No seed germination inhibition of Chinese cabbage was observed, with average germination rates > 50% in all soils. An effect on NO 3 − content was indeterminable, while there was little to no effect on biomass production, WHC, CEC and aggregate stability. In conclusion, the application of 5% fine grained HC significantly influenced the nutrient content over a short-term. However, the application rate was insufficient to substantially improve plant growth, nor to sustain a longer-term nutrients supply, regardless of grain size.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 90%

The influence of hydrochar from biogas digestate on soil improvement and plant growth aspects

Jager

Röhrdanz

Giani

2020

Biochar

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“…Studies showed that the response to application of carbonaceous materials, as hydrochar and biochar, to the soil depends not only on the biomass used in the thermochemical conversion process, but also on the reaction parameters applied [29][30][31][32][33]. Furthermore, these responses may be linked to hydrochar application rates [34], time after the application to the soil [35], and treatment carried out on hydrochar prior to this soil application [36,37]. Positive results have been reported after 2 years from hydrochar soil application showing an improvement in biomass production [35], and also from pre-treated co-composted hydrochar used for plant growth, whatever the feedstock used to produce hydrochar.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, these responses may be linked to hydrochar application rates [34], time after the application to the soil [35], and treatment carried out on hydrochar prior to this soil application [36,37]. Positive results have been reported after 2 years from hydrochar soil application showing an improvement in biomass production [35], and also from pre-treated co-composted hydrochar used for plant growth, whatever the feedstock used to produce hydrochar. Best results were found for hydrochar treated with maize silage digestate and anaerobic fermentation, when compared to untreated hydrochar [38].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hydrochar from sugarcane industry by-products: assessment of its potential use as a soil conditioner by germination and growth of maize

Fregolente

Santos

Mazzati

et al. 2021

Chem. Biol. Technol. Agric.

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Background Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is a thermochemical process to convert biomass in carbon-rich materials (hydrochar). The use of sugarcane industry by-products in HTC has been evaluated, generating a hydrochar rich in nutrients, which could be used as a soil conditioner. We raised the hypothesis that the application of hydrochar in soil can improve its nutrient characteristics, bringing a better environment and favouring plant growth, expecting a development similar to that one observed in anthropogenic soils. Results Germination studies were performed expecting a species-dependent response, using maize and tomato seeds, whose development was assessed in two soluble fractions obtained from hydrochar aiming to evaluate different rhizosphere conditions. The results showed a better development of maize, especially in the aqueous soluble fraction, whose nutrient concentration was lower than that of the acid soluble fraction, as well as the organic composition. Maize growth in soils showed a better initial development in ultisol compared to oxisol, this being inferred by root:shoot biomass ratio and by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. However, the development of maize was better in anthropogenic soil compared to soils that received hydrochar. Conclusion The maize growth, compared with that carried out in anthropogenic soil, suggests that during the period evaluated the addition of hydrochar in soil did not have a negative effect upon maize development in its initial phase, and could have even favoured rooting in ultisol.

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“…Some studies reported adverse impacts of hydrochar derived from beet root chips on plant productivity and seed germination even when applied as low as 20-25% of volume of the growth mixture [33,34]. However, other studies offered contradictory findings about the effects of hydrochar on a fast-growing tree species: Baronti et al [35] and George et al [27] showed that biomass productivity and nitrogen use efficiency increased in poplar tree seedlings treated with hydrohar derived from maize (Zea mays L.) silage feedstock. These contradictory results concerning the effects of hydrochar on plant productivity call for careful choice of feedstock, application rate and the target species to ensure optimum growth benefits.…”

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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Hydrochar enhances growth of poplar for bioenergy while marginally contributing to direct soil carbon sequestration

Cited by 35 publications

References 46 publications

The influence of hydrochar from biogas digestate on soil improvement and plant growth aspects

The influence of hydrochar from biogas digestate on soil improvement and plant growth aspects

Hydrochar from sugarcane industry by-products: assessment of its potential use as a soil conditioner by germination and growth of maize

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

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