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Shah SH, Hussain MB, Haider G, Haq TU, Zahir ZA, Danish S, Paray BA, Kammann C. Acidified manure and nitrogen-enriched biochar showed short-term agronomic benefits on cotton-wheat cropping systems under alkaline arid field conditions. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22504. [PMID: 38110507 PMCID: PMC10728090 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48996-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Application of organic residues such as farm manure and biochar in various agricultural environments have shown positive effects on soil carbon sequestration. However, there is a lack of consensus regarding the agronomical benefits of a single and small dose of biochar and farm manure in arid alkaline soils. Therefore, a field experiment with the given treatments (1) control (no amendment), (2) acidified manure (AM) at 300 kg ha-1, (3) nitrogen (N) enriched biochar (NeB) at 3 Mg ha-1, and (4) an equal combination of AM + NeB (150 kg ha-1 AM + 1.5 Mg ha-1 NeB)) was conducted in a typical cotton-wheat cropping system. A parallel laboratory incubation study with the same amendments was carried out to account for soil carbon dioxide emission (CO2). The N enrichment of biochar and its co-application with acidified manure increased soil mineral N (NO3- and NH4+) in the topsoil (0-15 cm), and increased total N uptake (25.92% to 69.91%) in cotton over control, thus reducing N losses and increased uptake over control. Compared to the control, co-application of AM + NeB significantly improved soil N and P bioavailability, leading to increased plant biomass N, P, and K (32%, 40%, 6%, respectively) uptake over control. The plant's physiological and growth improvements [chlorophyll (+ 28.2%), height (+ 47%), leaf area (+ 17%), number of bolls (+ 7%), and average boll weight (+ 8%)] increased the agronomic yield in the first-season crop cotton by 25%. However, no positive response was observed in the second season wheat crop. This field study improved our understanding that co-application of acidified manure and N-enriched biochar in small dose can be a strategy to achieve short-term agronomic benefits and carbon sequestration in the long run.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suleman Haider Shah
- Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Baqir Hussain
- Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan.
| | - Ghulam Haider
- Department of Plant Biotechnology, Atta-Ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences (ASAB), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Tanveer Ul Haq
- Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Zahir Ahmad Zahir
- Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Subhan Danish
- Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Punjab, Pakistan.
| | - Bilal Ahamad Paray
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, PO Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Claudia Kammann
- Climate Change Research for Special Crops, Department of Applied Ecology, Hochschule Geisenheim University, Von-Lade Str. 1, 65366, Geisenheim, Germany
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Williams JM, Thomas SC. High-carbon wood ash biochar for mine tailings restoration: A field assessment of planted tree performance and metals uptake. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 901:165861. [PMID: 37516177 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
Unique properties of biochar render it appealing for revegetating and decontaminating historic, barren, and chemically complex mine tailings. Bottom ash from bioenergy facilities can contain high levels of charcoal residue, and thus qualify as a type of biochar; the wide availability of this material at low cost makes it of particular interest in the context of tailings remediation. Nevertheless, bottom ash is variable and often contains residual toxic metal/loids that could be phytoabsorbed into plant tissues. We implemented a replicated field trial on historic contaminated metal mine tailings in Northern Ontario (Canada) over a range of high‑carbon wood ash biochar (HCWAB) dosages (0-30 t/ha) to evaluate tree and substrate responses. Sapling survivorship and aboveground biomass growth were quantified over a 4-year period; substrate chemical parameters were measured using acid-digestion and ICP-MS, as well as ion exchange resin probes. To assess elemental composition of sapling tissues, we used electron probe microanalysis combined with laser-ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) on intact samples across the range of dosages applied. Survival and growth of saplings peaked at mid-range ash dosages of 3-6 t/ha. Similarly, substrate ion availability of P, K, and Zn were stable at lower dosages, but increased above 6 t/ha. The trace amounts of toxic metal/loids of concern measured in wood ash (As, Cd, Cu, and Pb) did not result in significantly increased sapling tissue concentrations at low to moderate dosages, but in some cases tissue contaminant levels were elevated at the highest dosage examined (30 t/ha). Our findings highlight the potential for high‑carbon wood ash biochar to be used for metal mine restoration at low to moderate dosages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine M Williams
- Institute of Forestry and Conservation, University of Toronto, 33 Willcocks St., Toronto M5S 3B3, Canada.
| | - Sean C Thomas
- Institute of Forestry and Conservation, University of Toronto, 33 Willcocks St., Toronto M5S 3B3, Canada
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Lebrun M, Palmeggiani G, Renouard S, Chafik Y, Cagnon B, Bourgerie S, Morabito D. Natural ageing of biochar improves its benefits to soil Pb immobilization and reduction in soil phytotoxicity. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2023; 45:6109-6135. [PMID: 37256532 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-023-01617-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Amendments are good tools for immobilizing metal(loid) and improving phytoremediation success. However, the amendment effect is variable and depends on multiple parameters, including amendment type and ageing. Such an ageing effect is rarely studied. Our study is one of the first focusing on how biochar storage affects its effect on soil properties and metal(loid) immobilization, when biochar was applied alone or in combination with green manure. To answer this, a 33-day pot incubation experiment was set up using contaminated soil, amended with two biochars (differing in ages: old (Bo) and new (Bn)) and/or two green manures (leaves of clover or poplar) and sown with Phaseolus vulgaris (bioindicator plant). Soil pore waters, plant growth and metal(loid) accumulation were evaluated. Biochar reduced soil acidity (Bn: + 0.75 pH unit, Bo: + 0.72 unit) and Pb mobility (Bn: - 42%, Bo: - 50%), while green manures acidified the soil (- 0.30 pH unit) and immobilized Pb only after 10 days (- 44%). All amendments reduced soil phytotoxicity. Moreover, the biochar stored at room temperature for a few years demonstrated better abilities to improve soil properties, particularly for Pb immobilization, than the biochar freshly prepared. Finally, as mixtures maturated, soil parameters changed until about ten days, then tended to stabilize. Therefore, it can be concluded that (1) biochar storage will affect its chemical properties and ameliorate its effects, (2) biochar can ameliorate soil properties and immobilize metal(loid)s, while green manures tended to have adverse effects at first, and (3) soil/amendment mixtures should be left to mature about two weeks before potential plant implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manhattan Lebrun
- INRAE USC1328, LBLGC EA1207, University of Orleans, Rue de Chartres, BP 6759, 45067, Orléans Cedex 2, France.
- Department of Environmental Geosciences, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 16500, Prague 6, Suchdol, Czech Republic.
| | - Gloria Palmeggiani
- INRAE USC1328, LBLGC EA1207, University of Orleans, Rue de Chartres, BP 6759, 45067, Orléans Cedex 2, France
| | - Sullivan Renouard
- Bordeaux INP, CNRS, CBMN, UMR 5248, University of Bordeaux, 33600, Pessac, France
| | - Yassine Chafik
- INRAE USC1328, LBLGC EA1207, University of Orleans, Rue de Chartres, BP 6759, 45067, Orléans Cedex 2, France
- Faculty of Sciences, LAPABE, Mohammed First University of Oujda, Oujda, Morocco
| | - Benoit Cagnon
- ICMN (Interfaces Confinement Matériaux Nanostructures), CNRS (UMR 7374), Université d'Orléans, 1B Rue de la Ferollerie CS40059, 45071, Orléans, Cedex 2, France
| | - Sylvain Bourgerie
- INRAE USC1328, LBLGC EA1207, University of Orleans, Rue de Chartres, BP 6759, 45067, Orléans Cedex 2, France
| | - Domenico Morabito
- INRAE USC1328, LBLGC EA1207, University of Orleans, Rue de Chartres, BP 6759, 45067, Orléans Cedex 2, France
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Huang J, Ye J, Gao W, Liu C, Price GW, Li Y, Wang Y. Tea biochar-immobilized Ralstonia Bcul-1 increases nitrate nitrogen content and reduces the bioavailability of cadmium and chromium in a fertilized vegetable soil. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 866:161381. [PMID: 36621509 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.161381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Pyrolytic biochar (PL-BC, pyrochar) and hydrothermal biochar (HT-BC, hydrochar) derived from branches and leaves of tea plants had different pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total carbon nitrogen content, BET surface area, total pore volume, average pore diameter, and functional groups. HT-BC had a larger specific surface area and more functional groups than PL-BC. Ralstonia Bcul-1 (R-B) was the dominant and functional bacteria in a fertilized vegetable soil supplemented with TBB-immobilized R-B (TBB + R-B). R-B vitality was more closely related to BET surface area, total pore volume, and functional groups of tea-based biochar (TBB: PL-BC and HT-BC). R-B was able to maintain high oxidase activity. R-B and TBB + R-B can increase the activities of urease and peroxidase in vegetable soil playing an essential role in the biotransformation of ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N) and nitrate nitrogen (NO3--N). TBB was able to simultaneously increase the content of NO3--N and NH4+-N, and TBB + R-B also significantly increased NO3--N content but decreased NH4+-N content in a fertilized vegetable soil. These results indicated that R-B promoted nitrification in the soil, i.e. conversion of NH4+-N into NO3--N, by enhancing the activities of urease and peroxidase. R-B had high adsorption capacity for cadmium (Cd) and chromium (Cr) (Cd&Cr: Cd and Cr). Moreover, TBB + R-B was able to convert weak acid extractable and reducible Cd&Cr into a more stable residual fraction and oxidizable Cd&Cr. The overall effect of the treatments was to reduce plant uptake of Cd&Cr by cabbage. TBB + R-B significantly promoted R-B growth, changed inorganic nitrogen speciation, increased NO3--N supply, reduced Cd&Cr bioavailability, and decreased plant tissue Cd&Cr content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqing Huang
- Agricultural Ecology Institute, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou 350013, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Agricultural Ecological Process of Red Soil Mountain, Fuzhou 350013, China
| | - Jing Ye
- Agricultural Ecology Institute, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou 350013, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Agricultural Ecological Process of Red Soil Mountain, Fuzhou 350013, China
| | - Wenhui Gao
- Agricultural Ecology Institute, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou 350013, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Agricultural Ecological Process of Red Soil Mountain, Fuzhou 350013, China
| | - Cenwei Liu
- Agricultural Ecology Institute, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou 350013, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Agricultural Ecological Process of Red Soil Mountain, Fuzhou 350013, China
| | - G W Price
- Department of Engineering, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS B2N 5E3, Canada
| | - Yanchun Li
- Agricultural Ecology Institute, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou 350013, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Agricultural Ecological Process of Red Soil Mountain, Fuzhou 350013, China
| | - Yixiang Wang
- Institute of Soil and Fertilizer, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou 350013, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Agricultural Ecological Process of Red Soil Mountain, Fuzhou 350013, China.
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Amin MA, Haider G, Rizwan M, Schofield HK, Qayyum MF, Zia-Ur-Rehman M, Ali S. Different feedstocks of biochar affected the bioavailability and uptake of heavy metals by wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants grown in metal contaminated soil. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 217:114845. [PMID: 36423665 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Heavy metals (HMs) contamination of agricultural soils is an emerging food safety challenge at world level. Therefore, as a possible treatment for the remediation of a HMs contaminated soil (sewage water irrigation for 20-years), the impact of biochar (BC) was investigated on the uptake of HMs by wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants. The BC was produced from seven different feedstocks (cotton stalks (CSBC), rice straw (RSBC), poultry manure (PMBC), lawn grass (LGBC), vegetable peels (VPBC), maize straw (MSBC), and rice husks (RHBC)). Each BC was applied at 1.25% (dry weight basis, w/w) in contaminated soil and a control was maintained without BC addition and wheat was grown in potted soil and harvested at maturity. Results revealed that the properties of different biochars regulated their effects on soil nutrient and HMs mobility and uptake by plants. The maximum plant phosphorous and potassium uptake and translocation to grain (173.4% and 341%, respectively) was found in RSBC treatment over control. The RHBC, PMBC, and MSBC treatments showed a maximum decrease in grain Cd concentration (32.9%, 33.8%, and 34.1%, respectively) compared to the control. The grain Pb (-41% to -51%, with no significant differences among different treatments) and Ni (-63%) concentrations were also reduced significantly following BC treatments compared to control. The daily intake and health risk index of Cd were significantly decreased due to PMBC (-28.1% and -33.8%, respectively), and MSBC (-28.3% and -34.1%, respectively) treatment over control. The BC treatments significantly increased the translocation factor of Cd in the order of VPBC (52.1%) > LGBC (25.4%) > CSBC (13.6%) > RSBC (12.1%) compared to control. The study demonstrated that the effects of BC on metal uptake in plants varied with feedstocks and suitable BC can be further exploited for the rehabilitation of contaminated soils and thereby ensuring food safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Ahmar Amin
- Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences & Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, 60800, Pakistan
| | - Ghulam Haider
- Department of Plant Biotechnology, Atta-ur-Rahman School Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Rizwan
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan
| | - H Kate Schofield
- Biogeochemistry Research Centre, School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Science, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom
| | - Muhammad Farooq Qayyum
- Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences & Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, 60800, Pakistan.
| | - Muhammad Zia-Ur-Rehman
- Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan
| | - Shafaqat Ali
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan; Department of Biological Sciences and Technology, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan.
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Miao W, Li F, Lu J, Wang D, Chen M, Tang L, Xu Z, Chen W. Biochar application enhanced rice biomass production and lodging resistance via promoting co-deposition of silica with hemicellulose and lignin. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 855:158818. [PMID: 36122710 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Biochar, an environmentally friendly soil amendment, is created via a series of thermochemical processes from carbon-rich organic matter. The biochar addition enhances soil characteristics dramatically and increases crop growth and yields. However, the mechanism by which biochar improves plant lodging resistance, which is heavily influenced by cell walls, remains unknown. Three rice cultivars were grown in an experimental field provided with four concentrations of biochar (10, 20, 30, 40 t ha-1). The biochar application enhanced biomass production and lodging resistance in all three cultivars by up to 29 % and 22 %, respectively, with the largest improvement at a biochar application rate of 30 t ha-1. Biochar application significantly enhanced stem cell wall-related characteristics, with an increase in stem breaking force, wall thickness, and plumpness of 52 %, 32 %, and 21 %, respectively, which are suggested to be major contributors to enhanced lodging resistance and biomass yield. Notably, cell wall composition and silica content analysis indicated a significant increase in hemicellulose, lignin, and silica content in biochar-treated samples up to 36 %, 13 %, and 58 %, respectively, when compared to plants not treated with biochar. Integrative analysis suggested that silica, hemicellulose, and lignin were co-deposited in cell walls, which influenced biomass production and lodging resistance. Furthermore, the transcriptome profile revealed that biochar application increased the expression of genes involved in biomass production, cell wall formation, and silica deposition. This study suggests that biochar application might improve both biomass production and lodging resistance by promoting the co-deposition of silicon with hemicellulose and lignin in cell walls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Miao
- Rice Research Institute, Shenyang Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Northern geng Super Rice Breeding, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China.
| | - Fengcheng Li
- Rice Research Institute, Shenyang Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Northern geng Super Rice Breeding, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China.
| | - Jiancheng Lu
- Rice Research Institute, Shenyang Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Northern geng Super Rice Breeding, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Donglei Wang
- Rice Research Institute, Shenyang Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Northern geng Super Rice Breeding, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Mingkai Chen
- Rice Research Institute, Shenyang Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Northern geng Super Rice Breeding, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Liang Tang
- Rice Research Institute, Shenyang Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Northern geng Super Rice Breeding, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China.
| | - Zhengjin Xu
- Rice Research Institute, Shenyang Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Northern geng Super Rice Breeding, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Wenfu Chen
- Rice Research Institute, Shenyang Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Northern geng Super Rice Breeding, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China.
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Goñi-Urtiaga A, Courtier-Murias D, Picca G, Valentín JL, Plaza C, Panettieri M. Response of water-biochar interactions to physical and biochemical aging. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 307:136071. [PMID: 35995184 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Biochar aging may affect the interactions of biochar with water and thus its performance as soil amendment; yet the specific mechanisms underlying these effects are poorly understood. By means of FTIR, N2 adsorption, Hg intrusion porosimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, 13C solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and 1H NMR relaxometry, we investigated changes in the chemistry and structure of biochar as well as its interaction with water after biochar aging, both physical (simulated by ball-milling) and biochemical (simulated by co-composting). Three different porosities of biochar were examined: <5 nm, 1 μm and 10 μm diameter sizes. Physical aging caused the disappearance of the porosity at 10 μm. With biochemical aging, biochar underwent an enrichment of oxygenated functional groups either as a result of surface functionalisation processes or by the deposition of fresh organic matter layers on the surface and pores of biochar. 1H NMR relaxometry revealed that the proportion of water strongly interacting with biochar increased with both physical and biochemical aging. Although biochemical aging significantly altered the composition of biochar surface and modulates its interaction with water, 1H NMR relaxometry proved that physical aging had a relatively stronger influence on water mobility and dynamics in biochar, lowering both T1 and T2 relaxation times in the initial contact times of biochar and water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asier Goñi-Urtiaga
- Instituto de Ciencias Agrarias, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ICA-CSIC), Calle Serrano 115bis, 28006, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Giuseppe Picca
- Instituto de Ciencias Agrarias, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ICA-CSIC), Calle Serrano 115bis, 28006, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan L Valentín
- Instituto de Ciencias y Tecnología de Polímeros, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ICTP-CSIC), Calle Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006, Madrid, Spain
| | - César Plaza
- Instituto de Ciencias Agrarias, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ICA-CSIC), Calle Serrano 115bis, 28006, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marco Panettieri
- Instituto de Ciencias Agrarias, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ICA-CSIC), Calle Serrano 115bis, 28006, Madrid, Spain.
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Manzoor S, Habib-Ur-Rahman M, Haider G, Ghafoor I, Ahmad S, Afzal M, Nawaz F, Iqbal R, Yasin M, Danish S, Ghaffar A. Biochar and slow-releasing nitrogen fertilizers improved growth, nitrogen use, yield, and fiber quality of cotton under arid climatic conditions. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:13742-13755. [PMID: 34595718 PMCID: PMC8803770 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-16576-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/12/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The efficiency of nitrogenous fertilizers in South Asia is on a declining trajectory due to increased losses. Biochar (BC) and slow-releasing nitrogen fertilizers (SRNF) have been found to improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in certain cases. However, field-scale studies to explore the potential of BC and SRNF in south Asian arid climate are lacking. Here we conducted a field experiment in the arid environment to demonstrate the response of BC and SRNF on cotton growth and yield quality. The treatments were comprised of two factors, (A) nitrogen sources, (i) simple urea, (ii)neem-coated urea, (iii)sulfur-coated urea, (iv) bacterial coated urea, and cotton stalks biochar impregnated with simple urea, and (B) nitrogen application rates, N1=160 kg ha-1, N2 = 120 kg ha-1, and N3 = 80 kg ha-1. Different SRNF differentially affected cotton growth, morphological and physiological attributes, and seed cotton yield (SCY). The bacterial coated urea at the highest rate of N application (160 kg ha-1) resulted in a higher net leaf photosynthetic rate (32.8 μmol m-2 s-1), leaf transpiration rate (8.10 mmol s-1), and stomatal conductance (0.502 mol m-2 s-1), while leaf area index (LAI), crop growth rate (CGR), and seed cotton yield (4513 kg ha-1) were increased by bacterial coated urea at 120 kg ha-1 than simple urea. However, low rate N application (80 kg ha-1) of bacterial coated urea showed higher nitrogen use efficiency (39.6 kg SCY kg-1 N). The fiber quality (fiber length, fiber strength, ginning outturn, fiber index, and seed index) was also increased with the high N application rates than N2 and N3 application. To summarize, the bacterial coated urea with recommended N (160 kg ha-1) and 75% of recommended N application (120 kg ha-1) may be recommended for farmers in the arid climatic conditions of Punjab to enhance the seed cotton yield, thereby reducing nitrogen losses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sobia Manzoor
- Department of Agronomy, Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Habib-Ur-Rahman
- Department of Agronomy, Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan.
- Crop Science Group, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
| | - Ghulam Haider
- Department of Plant Biotechnology, Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences, NUST, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Iqra Ghafoor
- Department of Agronomy, Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Saeed Ahmad
- Department of Agronomy, Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Afzal
- Legume Research Unit, Molecular Biology Lab, Department of Plant Production, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fahim Nawaz
- Department of Agronomy, Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan
- Department of Nutritional Crop Physiology, Institute of Crop Science (340 h), University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Rashid Iqbal
- Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Mubashra Yasin
- Sugarcane Research Institute, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Subhan Danish
- Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Punjab, 60800, Pakistan
| | - Abdul Ghaffar
- Department of Agronomy, Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan
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Farrar MB, Wallace HM, Xu CY, Joseph S, Nguyen TTN, Dunn PK, Bai SH. Biochar compound fertilisers increase plant potassium uptake 2 years after application without additional organic fertiliser. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:7170-7184. [PMID: 34472026 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-16236-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Biochar compound fertilisers (BCFs) are an emerging technology that combine biochar with nutrients, clays and minerals and can be formulated to address specific issues in soil-plant systems. However, knowledge of BCF performance over consecutive crops and without re-application is limited. This study aims to assess the residual effect of organic BCFs soil-plant nutrient cycling 2 years after application and without additional fertiliser inputs. We applied BCFs and biochar with organic fertiliser amendments and established a crop of ginger and a second crop of turmeric (Curcuma longa) without re-application or additional fertilisation. All treatment formulations included bamboo-biochar and organic fertiliser amendments; however, two novel BCFs were formulated to promote agronomic response in an intensive cropping system. We report here on the effect of treatments on soil and plant macronutrient and micronutrient cycling and turmeric growth, biomass and yield at harvest. Both BCFs (enriched (10 t ha-1) and organo-mineral biochar (8.6 t ha-1) increased foliar K (+155% and +120%) and decreased foliar Mg (-20% and -19%) concentration compared with all other treatments, suggesting antagonism between K and Mg. Plants were limited for K, P and B at harvest but not N, Ca or Mg. Foliar K was dependent on the biochar formulation rather than the rate of application. Biochar-clay aggregates increased K retention and cycling in the soil solution 2 years after application. Clay blended BCFs reduced K limitation in turmeric compared to biochar co-applied with organic amendments, suggesting these blends can be used to manage organic K nutrition. All formulations and rates of biochar increased leaf biomass and shoot-to-root ratio. Novel BCFs should be considered as an alternative to co-applying biochar with organic fertiliser amendments to decrease application rates and increase economic feasibility for farmers. Applying BCFs without re-application or supplementary fertiliser did not provide sufficient K or P reserves in the second year for consecutive cropping. Therefore, supplementary fertilisation is recommended to avoid nutrient deficiency and reduced yield for consecutive organic rhizome crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael B Farrar
- Genecology Research Centre, School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Locked Bag 4, Maroochydore DC, QLD, 4558, Australia.
| | - Helen M Wallace
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, School of Environment and Sciences, Griffith University, Nathan, Brisbane, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Cheng-Yuan Xu
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, School of Environment and Sciences, Griffith University, Nathan, Brisbane, QLD, 4111, Australia
- School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Bundaberg, QLD, 4760, Australia
| | - Stephen Joseph
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, School of Environment and Sciences, Griffith University, Nathan, Brisbane, QLD, 4111, Australia
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Thi Thu Nhan Nguyen
- Genecology Research Centre, School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Locked Bag 4, Maroochydore DC, QLD, 4558, Australia
- Faculty of Environment, Hanoi University of Natural Resources and Environment, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Peter K Dunn
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Locked Bag 4, Maroochydore DC, QLD, 4558, Australia
| | - Shahla Hosseini Bai
- Genecology Research Centre, School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Locked Bag 4, Maroochydore DC, QLD, 4558, Australia
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, School of Environment and Sciences, Griffith University, Nathan, Brisbane, QLD, 4111, Australia
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Applying Cassava Stems Biochar Produced from Agronomical Waste to Enhance the Yield and Productivity of Maize in Unfertile Soil. FERMENTATION 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/fermentation7040277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Many agronomical wastes are produced annually in significant amounts after cultivation, especially in agricultural countries. This study applied biochar produced from the pyrolysis of cassava stems to improve soil with low fertility for maize cultivation. The effect of soil biochar incorporation on maize yield and productivity was also investigated. Eight experimental plots, each with four replicates, were applied with cassava stem biochar (CSB) at different rates of 0.5 kg/m2 (TB0.5), 2.5 kg/m2 (TB2.5) and 3.0 kg/m2 (TB3.0), fertilizer at 0.56 kg/m2 (TM), fertilizer at 0.56 kg/m2 mixed with CSB at 0.5 kg/m2 (TMB0.5), 2.5 kg/m2 (TMB2.5), 3.0 kg/m2 (TMB3.0) and untreated soil (TC). Pyrolysis of cassava stems at 450–500 °C produced strongly alkaline CSB with pH 9.6 and increased nutrient contents. Specific surface area and total pore volume increased, and pores were classified as mesoporous, while average pore diameter decreased. CSB had a highly stable carbon content of 58.46%, with high aromaticity and polarity obtained from O/C and H/C ratios. Results indicated that CSB enhanced and supported maize growth by improving soil physicochemical properties to suit cultivation. Applying CSB into the soil gave higher maize yield and productivity than cultivation using fertilizer. The highest yield and nutrition contents were obtained in seed from cultivation using fertilizer mixed with biochar at 3.0 kg/m2. Biochar production from cassava stems generated a useful commodity from waste material.
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Abstract
Biochar is most commonly considered for its use as a soil amendment, where it has gained attention for its potential to improve agricultural production and soil health. Twenty years of near exponential growth in investigation has demonstrated that biochar does not consistently deliver these benefits, due to variables in biochar, soil, climate, and cropping systems. While biochar can provide agronomic improvements in marginal soils, it is less likely to do so in temperate climates and fertile soils. Here, biochar and its coproducts may be better utilized for contaminant remediation or the substitution of nonrenewable or mining-intensive materials. The carbon sequestration function of biochar, via conversion of biomass to stable forms of carbon, does not depend on its incorporation into soil. To aid in the sustainable production and use of biochar, we offer two conceptual decision trees, and ask: What do we currently know about biochar? What are the critical gaps in knowledge? How should the scientific community move forward? Thoughtful answers to these questions can push biochar research towards more critical, mechanistic investigations, and guide the public in the smart, efficient use of biochar which extracts maximized benefits for variable uses, and optimizes its potential to enhance agricultural and environmental sustainability.
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Chemical and Biological Enhancement Effects of Biochar on Wheat Growth and Yield under Arid Field Conditions. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13115890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogen (N) losses are prevalent under South East Asia’s due to high N fertilizer inputs, but low N fertilizer use efficiency. This leaves a large quantity of reactive N at risk of loss to the environment. Biochar has been found to reduce N losses across a variety of soil types, however, there is limited data available for semi-arid climates, particularly at a field-scale. Herein we present an exploration of the biological and chemical enhancement effects observed of a cotton stalk-based biochar on wheat growth and yield under arid field conditions. The biochar was treated with urea-N and biofertilizer (bio-power) in different treatment setups. The six experimental treatments included; (i) a full N dose “recommended for wheat crops in the region” (104 kg N ha−1) as a positive control; (ii) a half N dose (52 kg N ha−1); (iii) a half N dose + biofertilizer (4.94 kg ha−1) as a soil mixture; (iv) a half N dose + biofertilizer as a seed inoculation; (v) a full N dose as broadcast + biochar (5 t ha−1) inoculated with biofertilizer; and (vi) a full N dose loaded on biochar + biofertilizer applied as a soil mixture. The half dose N application or biofertilizer addition as soil mix/seed inoculated/biochar inoculation with biofertilizer caused reduced wheat growth and yield compared to the control (conventional N fertilization). However, co-application of chemically enhanced biochar (loaded with a full N dose) and biofertilizer as soil mixture significantly increased the crop growth rate (CGR) and leaf area index (LAI). A significantly higher crop growth and canopy development led to a higher light interception and radiation use efficiency (RUE) for total dry matter (TDM) and grain yield (11% greater than control) production compared to the control. A greater grain yield, observed for the full N dose loaded on biochar + biofertilizer applied as a soil mixture, is attributed to prolonged N availability as indicated by greater plant and soil N content at harvest and different crop growth stages, respectively. The present study has improved our understanding of how the application of nitrogen loaded biochar and biofertilizer as soil mixtures can synergize to positively affect wheat growth and soil-nitrogen retention under arid environmental conditions.
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Qayyum MF, Haider G, Raza MA, Mohamed AKS, Rizwan M, El-Sheikh MA, Alyemeni MN, Ali S. Straw-based biochar mediated potassium availability and increased growth and yield of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). JOURNAL OF SAUDI CHEMICAL SOCIETY 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jscs.2020.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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