The biochar effect on soil respiration and nitrification

Abstract

ABSTRACTŠlapáková B., Jeřábková J., Voříšek K., Tejnecký V., Drábek O. (2018): The biochar effect on soil respiration and nitrification. Plant Soil Environ., 64: 114-119.Soil microorganisms play a main role in the nutrient cycle and they also play an important role in soil health. This article studies the influence of three rates of biochar (0.5, 1 and 3%) in comparison with control (0 biochar) in two different soils (Valečov and Čistá) on soil microbiota activities. The biochar was prepared from 80% of digestate from Zea mays L. and 20% of cellulose fibres by pyrolysis (470°C, 17 min). The biochar ability to influence microbial processes in soil was determined by respiration and nitrification tests. There were no significant differences between basal respiration of control samples and biochar-amended samples. Basal respiration in the Valečov soil reached average amounts from 1.32 to 1.52 mg CO 2 /h/100 g. In the Čistá soil, basal respiration reached average amounts from 1.40 to 1.49 mg CO 2 /h/100 g. No significant differences were proved also in nitrification tests of both soils. Nitrifying potential was the highest in 3% rate of biochar amendment. There were no negative changes in the measured soil parameters. CO 2 efflux was not higher in biochar-amended soil.

Variation of Greenhouse Gases Fluxes and Soil Properties with Addition of Biochar from Farm-Wastes in Volcanic and Non-Volcanic Soils

“…In general, BC-chicken presented higher CO 2 emissions in the three soils under study, comparing with BC-cow and BC-pig. Similarly, Šlapáková et al [43] show not effect on soil respiration in soils amended with a BC of digestate from Zea mays (80%) and cellulose fibre (20%) in two soils incubated during 1-year. On the other hand, the higher levels of CO 2 emissions obtained from BC-chicken could be produced by the release of carbonates contained in the BC which could be higher in acidic soils according to Sheng and Zhu [44], who reported higher CO 2 emissions from an acidic Ferrasols (pH 5.19) rather than Phaeozems (pH 7.81).…”

Sewage Sludge Biochar Enhances Soil Health and Crop Productivity in Strongly Acidic Soil

“…Similarly, Paz-Ferreiro et al (2012) reported that soils amended with 4% biochar demonstrated lower respiration rate compared to 2% biochar and unamended control treatments. Typically, the addition of biochar into soils significantly increase respiration rate compared to untreated control, and the ideal respiration rate should be >0.7 mg CO2 g ˗1 dry soil (Wang et al, 2017;Moebius-Clune et al, 2017;Slapakova et al, 2018).…”