Use of Biochar and Oxidized Lignite for Reconstructing a Functioning Topsoil

Bekele, Asfaw; Roy, James W.; Young, Michelle

doi:10.1097/01.ss.0000435534.41794.15

Cited by 4 publications

(10 citation statements)

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“…Most of the materials and methods used in this study have previously been described in detail (Bekele et al 2013) and are summarized here only briefly.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A thorough description of the physical and chemical properties of soils and organic amendments used is given by Bekele et al (2013). The loam topsoil contained the highest organic C and total N (Table 3) and the difference between topsoil and subsoil organic C and C:N was greater for loam soil than the clay and sand soils.…”

Section: Properties Of Soils and Organic Amendmentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition to the detailed physical and chemical characterization of the soils and organic amendments provided by Bekele et al (2013), we completed scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDXS) on samples of biochar and humalite to provide micromorphological and qualitative compositional information. EDX spectra integrate signals from a 1-mm 2 surface area, and provide semiquantitative elemental composition to a depth of roughly 1 mm (Brodowski et al 2005).…”

Section: Physical and Chemical Characterization Of Soil And Organic Amentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Growth conditions in the greenhouse were controlled to mimic summer growing conditions: a 16/8 h day/night cycle and a temperature of 22928C and an automated sprinkler system to avoid moisture stress and reduce human error. Each pail received adequate mineral fertilizer based on the results of nutrient analysis of the soil substrates [for details see Bekele et al (2013)]. At the end of each study, the soil in each pail was tilled to 10 cm depth with a hand fork.…”

Section: Experimental Design and Treatmentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Four sequential greenhouse studies with field pea and barley in rotation as test crops were used to address this objective. The effect of these organic amendments on crop growth, nutrient uptake and soil nutrients is reported in Bekele et al (2013).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Use of biochar and oxidized lignite for reconstructing functioning agronomic topsoil: Effects on soil properties in a greenhouse study

Bekele

Roy²,

Young

2015

Can. J. Soil. Sci.

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Bekele, A., Roy, J. L. and Young, M. A. 2015. Use of biochar and oxidized lignite for reconstructing functioning agronomic topsoil: Effects on soil properties in a greenhouse study. Can. J. Soil Sci. 95: 269–285. Interest in the use of biochar as soil amendment has grown recently. However, studies evaluating its potential use for reclamation of disturbed agricultural lands are lacking. We studied the effects of amending clay, loam, and sand subsoil substrates with wood biochar pyrolized at 800°C, oxidized lignite (humalite), or labile organic mix (sawdust, wheat straw, and alfalfa; LOM) on soil organic carbon (C), microbial biomass, dry aggregated size distribution and penetration resistance in greenhouse. We also considered the co-application of LOM and biochar or humalite to the subsoil substrates as treatments where C from either biochar or humalite represented a stable form of C. The amount and composition of the mix of organic amendments was determined for each subsoil so that organic C levels of reconstructed topsoil would be equivalent to that of the corresponding native topsoil in the long term. Field pea (Pisum sativum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) were grown in rotation in four sequential greenhouse studies. Results from soil analysis at the end of study II and study IV showed that subsoils amended with biochar or humalite had higher organic C than those with LOM only, regardless of soil type. Labile organic mix added alone or together with biochar or humalite to subsoil increased microbial biomass and decreased geometric mean diameter of the dry soil aggregates. The effects of biochar or humalite-only amendment on these soil properties were not significant relative to the unamended subsoil substrate. Simultaneous application of biochar or humalite with LOM can potentially be used for topsoil reconstruction and reclamation of disturbed agricultural lands, and to maintain soil quality in the long term. However, long-term field studies are required to ascertain the longevity of the desirable properties reported in this study and to assess effects associated with aging of biochar or humalite in the soil.

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“…Most of the materials and methods used in this study have previously been described in detail (Bekele et al 2013) and are summarized here only briefly.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Properties Of Soils and Organic Amendmentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Physical and Chemical Characterization Of Soil And Organic Amentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Experimental Design and Treatmentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Use of biochar and oxidized lignite for reconstructing functioning agronomic topsoil: Effects on soil properties in a greenhouse study

Bekele

Roy²,

Young

2015

Can. J. Soil. Sci.

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Introduction

2021

Low‐Rank Coal Applications in Agriculture

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A bioassay of long‐term stockpiled salvaged soil amended with biochar, peat, and humalite

Laskosky¹,

Mante

Zvomuya

et al. 2020

Agrosystems Geosci & Env

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Long‐term stockpiling of soil salvaged from oil sands operations often leads to the deterioration of soil quality and poor reclamation results for disturbed land. This study assessed the efficacy of organic amendments in improving the quality and productivity of long‐term stockpiled salvaged soil in Canada's Alberta oil sands region (AOSR). Dry soil samples (4.2 kg) from a 24‐yr‐old stockpile were placed into 5‐L pots and amended with biochar, humalite, peat, and 50:50 mixtures of biochar and peat (BCP) and biochar and humalite (BCH) at rates corresponding to 0, 6.55, 13.1, and 26.2 g C kg−1 soil. The pots were seeded with barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), fertilized, and placed in a growth chamber. Plants were allowed to grow for three crop cycles of 45 to 59 d each and harvested at the end of each cycle. Results showed that biochar and peat increased dry matter yield (DMY) by 38 and 40%, respectively, compared with the unamended soil. Humalite produced the highest N and P concentrations in plant tissue, but this did not translate to an increase in DMY. Biochar and peat offer the greatest promise for improving the productivity of long‐term stockpiled salvaged soil, thereby enhancing the success of reclamation of disturbed sites.

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Use of Biochar and Oxidized Lignite for Reconstructing a Functioning Topsoil

Cited by 4 publications

References 37 publications

Use of biochar and oxidized lignite for reconstructing functioning agronomic topsoil: Effects on soil properties in a greenhouse study

Use of biochar and oxidized lignite for reconstructing functioning agronomic topsoil: Effects on soil properties in a greenhouse study

Introduction

A bioassay of long‐term stockpiled salvaged soil amended with biochar, peat, and humalite

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