The Effect of Biochar on Native and Invasive Prairie Plant Species

Abstract

a carbon-rich product formed by the incomplete combustion of biomass, has been shown to improve soil quality and increase crop growth but has not been evaluated in prairie ecosystems. We assessed the response of a native perennial grass, big bluestem, and an invasive herbaceous perennial, sericea, to biochar amendments in two greenhouse experiments in 2010 and 2011. In the first experiment, big bluestem and sericea were grown in monoculture; the main treatments were soil type (silt, sand), percent biochar (0%, 1%, 2%, and 4%) and nitrogen (0 and 10 g N m 22 ). Big bluestem growth was increased by the addition of biochar, particularly in the sand soil. In contrast, sericea growth was either not affected or decreased when biochar was added to the soil, particularly at the higher biochar rates. Adding N to the soil appeared to increase sericea growth in the presence of biochar and the silt soil, which suggests that biochar may have reduced N availability. A replacement series was used in the second experiment to evaluate the effect of biochar on competition between the two species. Main treatments were biochar rates (0% and 2%), nitrogen rates (0 and 10 g N m 22 ) and the following big bluestem to sericea ratios: 6 : 0, 4 : 2, 3 : 3, 2 : 4, and 0 : 6. After 180 d, big bluestem height and biomass were significantly greater in biochar-amended soils than in unamended soils. However, sericea height and biomass were unaffected by biochar amendments and the addition of biochar did not alter competitive outcomes. Competition between big bluestem and sericea was asymmetrical; sericea reduced the growth of big bluestem but big bluestem had relatively little effect on the growth of sericea. Our research suggests that biochar has the potential to increase the growth of big bluestem and may be a useful tool for prairie restoration. Nomenclature: Big bluestem, Andropogon gerardii Vitman; sericea, Lespedeza cuneata (Dumont) G. Don.

Rainfall variability and nitrogen addition synergistically reduce plant diversity in a restored tallgrass prairie

“…For example, biochar (partially burnt plant tissue) and other C supplements may reduce soil N availability by providing C‐rich substrate (Blumenthal, Jordan & Russelle ; Adams et al . ) and some studies suggest that biochar may favour native C 4 grasses (Adams et al . ).…”

“…) and some studies suggest that biochar may favour native C 4 grasses (Adams et al . ). Additionally, strategically timed prescribed burns could reduce forb dominance and increase diversity under increased rainfall variability (Brockway, Gatewood & Paris ; Bowles & Jones ).…”

Plant response to biochar, compost, and mycorrhizal fungal amendments in post‐mine sandpits

“…Meta‐analysis shows that biochar significantly translates to increased crop biomass and plant macronutrients across all soil types and climates (Biederman & Harpole ), but the largest positive influences on plant production have been shown in acidic, nutrient poor soils (Jeffery et al ). In mine substrates, biochar has shown positive effects on native plant growth (Anawar et al ; Roberts et al ), but inconsistent effects on plant biomass (Jones et al ; Adams et al ) Thus, the utility of biochar in restoring plant communities is not clear.…”

Alleviation of Adverse Effect of Drought Stress on Soybean (Glycine max. L.) by Using Poultry Litter Biochar

“…Due to its physical properties, BC help increase water holding capacity and reduces nutrient leaching. Biochar is very porous which increases adsorption properties allowing a greater retention of water and nutrients in the soil solution (Adams et al, 2013). One greenhouse study found that the water holding capacity nearly doubled when 15% poultry litter BC by weight was added to 9 kg of sandy loam soil.…”