Potential of Biochar to Alternate Soil Properties and Crop Yields 3 and 4 Years after the Application

Abstract

Several studies have reported that biochar can improve soil properties which are linked with higher crop yields and this effect is long-term. This paper aimed to study the effects of biochar (0, 10 and 20 t ha−1) and its combinations with N-fertilization (zero, first and second level of N-fertilization) after 3 and 4 years of its application on improving soil characteristics of loamy Haplic Luvisol and crop yields (Dolná Malanta, Slovakia). The results indicated an increase in soil pH (+7%), improvement in sorption properties (hydrolytic acidity decreased by 11%, sum of basic cations and base saturation increased by 20% and 5%, respectively) and soil organic carbon rose by 27% with increasing biochar rate in the soil. N-fertilization applied to biochar treatments was a stabilizing moment in C sequestration even in the case of its labile forms. Overall, humus stability and quality were not significantly changed, however in biochar treatments without N-fertilization, the humus stability and quality decreased 3 and 4 years after biochar application. Yield parameters differed with relation to climate conditions during both vegetation crop seasons, however the combination of 20 t ha−1 of biochar with the first and second level of N-fertilization had the highest potential to increase the grain yield.

Effect of Biochar Application and Re-Application on Soil Bulk Density, Porosity, Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity, Water Content and Soil Water Availability in a Silty Loam Haplic Luvisol

“…The research was conducted at the experimental site of the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra located in Dolná Malanta approximately 5 km north-east from the city of Nitra (Slovakia) (48 • 19 00" N; 18 • 09 00" E) (Figure 1). The continuous biochar field experiment was established in 2014 to examine the effect of biochar application on greenhouse gas emissions [13,36], soil quality [14,[37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44] and crop yields [34,45,46]. The soil was classified as Haplic Luvisol according to World Reference Base [47] with the initial soil organic carbon content of 9.13 g kg −1 , pH of 5.71 (slightly acidic) and silty loam soil texture.…”

“…Agronomy 2020, 10, x FOR PEER REVIEW 3 of 17 44] and crop yields [34,45,46]. The soil was classified as Haplic Luvisol according to World Reference Base [47] with the initial soil organic carbon content of 9.13 g kg -1 , pH of 5.71 (slightly acidic) and silty loam soil texture.…”

“…The crop rotation included spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in 2014, maize (Zea mays L.) in 2015, spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in 2016, maize in 2017 and spring barley in 2018. Fertilizer application doses in a period of 2014-2018 can be found in the published literature [34,49]. The specific doses of fertilizer at the application level N1 were calculated according to the requirements of each crop using the balance method.…”

“…Some studies are focused on the effect of repeatable biochar application for a period of a few years. The other group of studies includes works with a single application of biochar at the beginning of the experiment establishment, followed by a monitoring period reaching up to 3-4 years [34]. The effect of biochar re-application on the soil properties is a new emerging topic and according to our knowledge, studies including biochar re-application are very rare [35].…”

Rock Phosphate-Enriched Compost in Combination with Rhizobacteria; A Cost-Effective Source for Better Soil Health and Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Productivity

“…Nevertheless, the increasing prices of inorganic phosphate fertilizers and the extensive use of chemical fertilizers in agriculture, is also under debate due to environmental concerns and for consumer health reasons [1]. Reduction of agrochemicals for crop production is of great concern for sustainable agriculture [2]. Moreover, inorganic phosphate fertilizers are not totally soluble in soil matrix due to precipitation reactions with ions of Al and Fe in acidic, and Ca in alkaline calcareous soils [3].…”