Use of Biochar to Improve the Sustainable Crop Production of Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L.)

Abstract

In agriculture, biochar (B) application has been suggested as a green technology to reduce nitrate pollution from agricultural origins and improve crop yield. The agronomic impact of B use on soil has been extensively studied, while knowledge of its possible effects on horticultural cultivation is still scarce. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of using biochar in soils treated with two different rates of nitrogen fertilizers on soil properties and nitrogen (N) leachate. This study also investigated the vegetative parameters during the crop growing season of Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis. Soil mesocosms were set up to test the following treatments: untreated/control (C); normal dose of N fertilizer (130 kg N ha−1) (ND); ND+B; high dose of N fertilizer (260 kg N ha−1) (HD); and HD+B. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis were exploited to assess biochar's ability to reduce nitrate leaching and enhance soil–vegetative properties. Biochar addition affected the soil chemical properties of the fertilized microcosms (ND and HD). Biochar increased the content in HD soil and the in ND soil by 26 mg/L and 48.76 mg/L, respectively. The results showed that biochar application increased the marketable cauliflower yield. In ND+B and HD+B, the curd weight was 880.68 kg and 1097.60 kg, respectively. In addition, a small number of nitrogenous compounds in the leachate were quantified in experimental lines with the biochar. Therefore, biochar use improves the marketable yield of horticulture, mitigating the negative impacts associated with the mass use of N fertilizers in agriculture.

Effect of various biochar on selected soil properties and agronomical parameters of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) at Rupandehi, Nepal

“…Biochar reduces leaching and retains more nitrogen because of its extremely porous structure with abundant surface functional groups that adsorb and hold soil N. Biochar increases the available C in soil and its porous structure houses the microorganisms, thus promoting the microbial population. This improves nitrification, mineralization, solubilization, and ultimately the availability of other minerals (Ebrahimi et al, 2021;Losacco et al, 2022). Biochar application can reduce the nitrate nitrogen and increase the ammonium nitrogen in the soil, thus reducing the loss of nitrogen through denitrification.…”

Assessing the Potential of Biochar as a Viable Alternative to Synthetic Fertilizers in Sub-Saharan Africa Smallholder Farming: A Review

“…Smallholder farming, also known as low-input subsistence agriculture [24], is often characterized by farming small land areas of less than 2 ha, which some authors have seen as an advantage because the implementation of solid models for improvement is easier on a small land area [15]. Some of the frequent features of this farming system include practicing mixed crop and livestock farming with limited resources.…”

“…Zhou et al [14] described biochar as an aromatic, charcoal-like, and carbon-rich solid by-product primarily derived from pyrolyzed plant materials or any other organic waste in a low-oxygen environment. It is primarily used in modern agriculture to enhance crop yields and improve the chemical, biological, and physical properties of the soil [15]. Owing to its high porosity and surface or volume ratio, biochar can retain a high quantity of exchange cations, which increases its adsorption to the planting medium and subsequently increases crop productivity [16].…”

An Overall Perspective for the Study of Emerging Contaminants in Karst Aquifers

“…Among fertilisers, nitrogen (N) is an essential nutrient for plant growth, correct performance of biological functions and crop yield, with a fundamental role in the growth of the world population [41].…”