Potential of Biochar to Alternate Soil Properties and Crop Yields 3 and 4 Years after the Application

Several studies have reported that biochar can improve soil properties which are linked with higher crop yields and this effect is long-term. This paper aimed to study the effects of biochar (0, 10 and 20 t ha−1) and its combinations with N-fertilization (zero, first and second level of N-fertilization) after 3 and 4 years of its application on improving soil characteristics of loamy Haplic Luvisol and crop yields (Dolná Malanta, Slovakia). The results indicated an increase in soil pH (+7%), improvement in sorption properties (hydrolytic acidity decreased by 11%, sum of basic cations and base saturation increased by 20% and 5%, respectively) and soil organic carbon rose by 27% with increasing biochar rate in the soil. N-fertilization applied to biochar treatments was a stabilizing moment in C sequestration even in the case of its labile forms. Overall, humus stability and quality were not significantly changed, however in biochar treatments without N-fertilization, the humus stability and quality decreased 3 and 4 years after biochar application. Yield parameters differed with relation to climate conditions during both vegetation crop seasons, however the combination of 20 t ha−1 of biochar with the first and second level of N-fertilization had the highest potential to increase the grain yield.

Download Full-text

Soil properties after 36 years of N fertilization under continuous corn and corn-soybean management

10.5194/soil-2021-26 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Nakian Kim ◽

Gevan D. Behnke ◽

María B. Villamil

Keyword(s):

Soil Properties ◽

Crop Rotation ◽

Crop Yields ◽

Inorganic Nitrogen ◽

Block Design ◽

N Fertilization ◽

Total Carbon ◽

Nitrous Oxide Emissions ◽

Continuous Corn

Abstract. Modern agricultural systems rely on inorganic nitrogen (N) fertilization to enhance crop yields, but its overuse may negatively affect soil properties. Our objective was to investigate the effect of long-term N fertilization on key soil properties under continuous corn [Zea mays L.] (CCC) and both the corn (Cs) and soybean [Glycine max L. Merr.] (Sc) phases of a corn-soybean rotation. Research plots were established in 1981 with treatments arranged as a split-plot design in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The main plot was crop rotation (CCC, Cs, and Sc), and the subplots were N fertilizer rates of 0 kg N ha−1 (N0, controls), and 202 kg N ha−1, and 269 kg N ha−1 (N202, and N269, respectively). After 36 years and within the CCC, the yearly addition of N269 compared to unfertilized controls significantly increased cation exchange capacity (CEC, 65 % higher under N269) and acidified the top 15 cm of the soil (pH 4.8 vs. pH 6.5). Soil organic matter (SOM) and total carbon stocks (TCs) were not affected by treatments, yet water aggregate stability (WAS) decreased by 6.7 % within the soybean phase of the CS rotation compared to CCC. Soil bulk density (BD) decreased with increased fertilization by 5 % from N0 to N269. Although ammonium (NH4+) did not differ by treatments, nitrate (NO3−) increased eight-fold with N269 compared to N0, implying increased nitrification. Soils of unfertilized controls under CCC have over twice the available phosphorus level (P) and 40 % more potassium (K) than the soils of fertilized plots (N202 and N269). On average, corn yields increased 60 % with N fertilization compared to N0. Likewise, under N0, rotated corn yielded 45 % more than CCC; the addition of N (N202 and N269) decreased the crop rotation benefit to 17 %. Our results indicated that due to the increased level of corn residues returned to the soil in fertilized systems, long-term N fertilization improved WAS and BD, yet not SOM, at the cost of significant soil acidification and greater risk of N leaching and increased nitrous oxide emissions.

Download Full-text

Soil properties currently limiting crop yields in Swedish agriculture – An analysis of 90 yield survey districts and 10 long-term field experiments

European Journal of Agronomy ◽

10.1016/j.eja.2020.126132 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 120 ◽

pp. 126132

Author(s):

Holger Kirchmann ◽

Gunnar Börjesson ◽

Martin A. Bolinder ◽

Thomas Kätterer ◽

Faruk Djodjic

Keyword(s):

Soil Properties ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Crop Yields ◽

Term Field

Download Full-text

Effects of humus content, farmyard manuring, and mineral-N fertilization on yields and soil properties in a long-term trial

Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science ◽

10.1002/1522-2624(200012)163:6<657::aid-jpln657>3.0.co;2-l ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 163 (6) ◽

pp. 657-662 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Hermann Stumpe ◽

Joachim Garz ◽

Wilfried Schliephake ◽

Lutz Wittenmayer ◽

Wolfgang Merbach

Keyword(s):

Soil Properties ◽

Humus Content ◽

N Fertilization ◽

Mineral N ◽

Term Trial

Download Full-text

Effects of Biochar Combined with N-fertilization on Soil CO2 Emissions, Crop Yields and Relationships with Soil Properties

Polish Journal of Environmental Studies ◽

10.15244/pjoes/117656 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 (5) ◽

pp. 3597-3609 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ján Horák ◽

Vladimír Šimanský ◽

Elena Aydin ◽

Dušan Igaz ◽

Natalya Buchkina ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soil Properties ◽

Crop Yields ◽

N Fertilization

Download Full-text

Chemical properties of long-term irrigated Fluvisols of the Beli Drim river valley in the Klina region (Serbia)

Zemljiste i biljka ◽

10.5937/zembilj2101013t ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 70 (1) ◽

pp. 13-26

Author(s):

Miodrag Tolimir ◽

Branka Kresović ◽

Borivoj Pejić ◽

Katarina Gajić ◽

Angelina Tapanarova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cation Exchange ◽

Cation Exchange Capacity ◽

Humus Content ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Base Cations ◽

Exchange Capacity ◽

Base Saturation ◽

Basic Cations ◽

Hydrolytic Acidity

The impact of long-term (> 100 yr) irrigation on soil chemical properties was studied on eight plots in the Beli Drim river valley in Kosovo and Metohija near Klina, Serbia. For these studies, soil samples from shallow profiles were collected from only one or two depth zones of the Ah horizon; and from moderately deep and deep profiles, from two to three depth zones for the purpose of comparing irrigated field and non-irrigated meadow lands. Water from the Beli Drim River and surface gravity systems (irrigation furrows or border strip irrigation) were used for irrigation. Chemical variables included determination of pH-H2O, content of CaCO3, content of humus, hydrolytic acidity, sum of basic cations, cation exchange capacity, and base saturation. On irrigated soils, the results of chemical analysis showed on average a small increase in pH-H2O (0.07 pH units), as well as a significant decrease in humus content (2.00-4.75%), sum of basic cations (4.98-12.98%) and cation exchange capacity (12.8%) compared to the non-irrigated land of the study area. Long-term irrigation had no effect on hydrolytic acidity and base saturation in the Ah horizon of the investigated lands. Namely, the mentioned variations in the chemical properties of the investigated soils show that slight processes of reduction in the humus content and reduction of the content of base cations occured. Data on the chemical properties of the investigated soils indicate that the destructive processes of reduction in the humus content and leaching of base cations must be controlled in order to achieve a stable sustainable system of high productivity and prevent their further deterioration.

Download Full-text

Effect of Different Rates of Nitrogen Fertilization on Crop Yield, Soil Properties and Leaf Physiological Attributes in Banana Under Subtropical Regions of China

Frontiers in Plant Science ◽

10.3389/fpls.2020.613760 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Jianbo Sun ◽

Wenbin Li ◽

Chunqiang Li ◽

Wenjun Chang ◽

Shiqing Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soil Properties ◽

Crop Yield ◽

Crop Yields ◽

Southern China ◽

N Fertilization ◽

Physiological Factors ◽

N Application ◽

Crop Physiology ◽

Physiological Attributes ◽

N Rates

Excessive nitrogen (N) application is widespread in Southern China. The effects of N fertilization on soil properties and crop physiology are poorly understood in tropical red loam soil. We conducted a field experiment to evaluate the effect of nitrogen fertilization rates on physiological attributes (chlorophyll, plant metabolic enzymes, soluble matters) on banana leaves, soil properties (soil enzymes, soil organic matter (SOM), soil available nutrients) as well as banana crop yield in a subtropical region of southern China. The N rates tested were 0 (N0), 145 (N145), 248 (N248), 352 (N352), 414 (NFT), and 455 (N455) g N per plant. The correlations among soil factors, leaf physiological factors and crop yield were evaluated. The results indiated that the high rates of N fertilization (NFT and N455) significantly decreased soil available potassium (K) content, available phosphorus (P) content, glutamine synthetase (GS) activity, and soluble protein and sugar contents compared with lower N rates. The N352 treatment had the highest crop yields compared with higher N rates treatments, followed by the N455 treatment. However, there were no significant differences in crop yields among N fertilization treatments. Factor analysis showed that the N352 treatment had the highest integrated score for soil and leaf physiological factors among all treatments. Moreover, the N352 treatment was the most effective in improving carbon and nitrogen metabolism in banana. Crop yield was significantly and positively linearly correlated with the integrated score (r = 0.823, p < 0.05). Path analysis revealed that invertase, SOM and sucrose synthase (SS) had a strong positive effect on banana yield. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) suggested that available K, invertase, acid phosphatase and available P were the most important factors impacting leaf physiological attributes. Cluster analysis demonstrated distinct differences in N application treatment related to variations in soil and leaf factors. This study suggested that excessive N fertilization had a negative effect on soil fertility, crop physiology and yield. The lower N rates were more effective in improving crop yield than higher rates of N fertilization. The N rate of 352 g N per plant (N352) was recommended to reduce excess N input while maintaining the higher yield for local farmers’ banana planting.

Download Full-text

Manure application increased crop yields by promoting nitrogen use efficiency in the soils of 40-year soybean-maize rotation

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-71932-9 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Wei Hua ◽

Peiyu Luo ◽

Ning An ◽

Fangfang Cai ◽

Shiyu Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soil Properties ◽

Nitrogen Use Efficiency ◽

Crop Yields ◽

N Use Efficiency ◽

Organic Fertilizers ◽

N Recovery ◽

Nitrogen Use ◽

Use Efficiency ◽

N Use

Abstract It is great of importance to better understand the effects of the long-term fertilization on crop yields, soil properties and nitrogen (N) use efficiency in a rotation cropping cultivation system under the conditions of frequent soil disturbance. Therefore, a long-term field experiment of 40 years under soybean-maize rotation was performed in a brown soil to investigate the effects of inorganic and organic fertilizers on crop yields, soil properties and nitrogen use efficiency. Equal amounts of 15N-labelled urea with 20.8% of atom were used and uniformly applied into the micro-plots of the treatments with N, NPK, M1NPK, M2NPK before soybean sowing, respectively. Analyses showed that a total of 18.3–32.5% of applied N fertilizer was taken up by crops in the first soybean growing season, and that the application of manure combining with chemical fertilizer M2NPK demonstrated the highest rate of 15N recovery and increased soil organic matter (SOM) and Olsen phosphorus (Olsen P), thereby sustaining a higher crop yield and alleviating soil acidification. Data also showed that no significant difference was observed in the 15N recovery from residue N in the second maize season plant despite of showing a lower 15N recovery compared with the first soybean season. The recovery rates of 15N in soils were ranged from 38.2 to 49.7% by the end of the second cropping season, and the residuals of 15N distribution in soil layers revealed significant differences. The M2NPK treatment demonstrated the highest residual amounts of 15N, and a total of 50% residual 15N were distributed in a soil layer of 0–20 cm. Our results showed that long-term application of organic fertilizers could effectively promote N use efficiency by increasing SOM and improving soil fertility, and thus leading to an increase in crop yields. This study will provide a scientific reference and guidance for improving soil sustainable productivity by manure application.

Download Full-text

Long-term impact of nitrogen addition on the carbon balance of a boreal pine forest in Northern Sweden

10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-21293 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Peng Zhao ◽

Jinshu Chi ◽

Mats Nilsson ◽

Mikaell Ottosson.Lofvenius ◽

Sune Linder ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Boreal Forests ◽

Ecosystem Respiration ◽

Gross Primary Production ◽

Weather Conditions ◽

C Sequestration ◽

Nitrogen Addition ◽

N Addition ◽

Climate Conditions ◽

Sequestration Potential

Nitrogen (N) added through atmospheric deposition or as fertilizer in boreal forests may alter their carbon (C) sequestration potential and sensitivity to climatic changes. While previous studies have primarily explored the responses of individual ecosystem components such as stem biomass production and soil carbon changes following N addition, the long-term impacts of N addition on the ecosystem-scale C balance of boreal forests still remain unclear. Here, we use data from eddy-covariance measurements in a fertilized Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) forest (i.e. 16 ha receiving 100 and 50 kg N ha-1 yr-1 since 2006 and 2012, respectively) and an adjacent unfertilized control stand in boreal Sweden to investigate how one decade of N addition affected the net ecosystem productivity (NEP), gross primary production (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (ER) over five fertilization years (2015-2019). Results showed that N fertilization increased GPP in all five years with by 18% at average to 1183&#177;41 g C m-2 yr-1 in the N-fertilized stand compared to 1003&#177;56 g C m-2 yr-1 in the control stand. ER was also increased from 744&#177;29 g C m-2 yr-1 in the control stand to 875&#177;37 g C m-2 yr-1 in the fertilized stand. As a result, fertilization increased NEP from 259&#177;28 g C m-2 yr-1 in the control stand to 308&#177;20 g C m-2 yr-1 in the N-fertilized stand. Our results further suggested that the annual NEP was similar between stands during years with normal weather conditions (2015-2016) while NEP diverged due to a larger reduction in the control stand in years with environmental constraints (i.e. a cool summer in 2017 and droughts in 2018 and 2019). These findings indicate that enhanced N input to boreal forests increases and stabilizes their C sequestration potential under future climate conditions.

Download Full-text