The ameliorating effects of biochar and compost on soil quality and plant growth on a Ferralsol

Abstract

Deteriorating soil fertility and the concomitant decline in agricultural productivity are major concerns in many parts of the world. A pot experiment was conducted with a Ferralsol to test the hypothesis that application of biochar improves soil fertility, fertiliser-use efficiency, plant growth and productivity, particularly when combined with compost. Treatments comprised: untreated control; mineral fertiliser at rates of 280 mg nitrogen, 70 mg phosphorus and 180 mg potassium pot–1 (F); 75% F + 40 g compost pot–1 (F + Com); 100% F + 20 g willow biochar pot–1 (F + WB); 75% F + 10 g willow biochar + 20 g compost pot–1 (F + WB + Com); 100% F + 20 g acacia biochar pot–1 (F + AB); and 75% F + 10 g acacia biochar + 20 g compost pot–1 (F + AB + Com). Application of compost with fertiliser significantly increased plant growth, soil nutrient status and plant nutrient content, with shoot biomass (as a ratio of control value) decreasing in the order F + Com (4.0) > F + WB + Com (3.6) > F + WB (3.3) > F + AB + Com (3.1) > F + AB (3.1) > F (2.9) > control (1.0). Maize shoot biomass was positively significantly correlated with chlorophyll content, root biomass, plant height, and specific leaf weight (r = 0.99, 0.98, 0.96 and 0.92, respectively). Shoot and root biomass had significant correlations with soil water content, plant nutrient concentration, and soil nutrient content after harvesting. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the first component provided a reasonable summary of the data, accounting for ~84% of the total variance. As the plants grew, compost and biochar additions significantly reduced leaching of nutrients. In summary, separate or combined application of compost and biochar together with fertiliser increased soil fertility and plant growth. Application of compost and biochar improved the retention of water and nutrients by the soil and thereby uptake of water and nutrients by the plants; however, little or no synergistic effect was observed.

Malting barley response to integrated organic and mineral nutrient sources in Nitisol

“…The improvements in available soil P and total N contents attributed to the additions of the aforementioned nutrients from both organic and mineral sources. Previous works also reported that integrated use of organic and mineral fertilizers resulted in the highest available soil P (Getachew et al 2015) and total N contents (Getachew et al 2014a) in the soil. The application of organic fertilizers directly influences the availability of inherent or applied P (Sharma et al 1990).…”

Utilization of crops residues as compost and biochar for improving soil physical properties and upland rice productivity

“…Thus, compost can be defined as an organic multi nutrient fertilizer (Smith and Collins, 2007;Amlinger et al, 2007). Agegnehu et al (2015) reported that application of 40 g compost/pot as fertilizer significantly increased plant growth, soil nutrient status and plant nutrient content, with shoot biomass (as a ratio of control value).…”

“…Enhancing CEC and fertilizer-use efficiency (Steiner et al, 2008 ;Chan et al, 2007;Chan and Xu, 2009), and plant-available water content (Laird et al, 2010;Cornelissen et al, 2013;Tammeorg et al, 2014;Agegnehu et al, 2015). Increased available P (Nurhidayati and Mariati, 2014), and soil-water retention, as well as increase soil water-holding capacity (Laird et al, 2010;Novak et al, 2012;Yu et al, 2013;Mila et al, 2013).…”

Pengaruh Pupuk Organik dan Arang Hayati terhadap Kualitas Media Pembibitan dan Pertumbuhan Bibit Kakao

“…Sebagian senyawa volatil dapat didegradasi oleh mikrob yang melimpah oleh pemberian pupuk organik sehingga arang hayati tidak bersifat toksik bagi tanaman dan peran positif arang hayati dapat direspon oleh tanaman. Seperti dilaporkan Agegnehu et al (2015) bahwa pengaruh menguntungkan arang hayati terhadap pertumbuhan tanaman ialah ketika dikombinasikan dengan pupuk organik.…”