Co-Application of Charcoal and Wood Ash to Improve Potassium Availability in Tropical Mineral Acid Soils

Potassium (K) is a macronutrient required by plants for energy production, enzyme activation, formation of cell wall, production of protein, and photosynthesis. However, K in the soil solution is leached from the rhizosphere before it interacts with soil colloids because of the abundance of kaolinite clay minerals in mineral acid soils such as Ultisols and Oxisols. These soils are highly weathered, low in organic matter, low in pH, but high aluminium (Al), and iron (Fe) ions. As a result, K becomes unavailable for plants, and this affects crop production and farmers’ profitability. This problem has steered the attention to the application of amendments to minimise K loss. Animal manures, plant residues, and composts applications are some of the corrective measures taken to improve the K availability in tropical acid soils. However, there is dearth of information on co-application of charcoal and wood ash as soil amendments to improve the K availability and the changes they cause to the dynamic equilibrium of K in mineral acid soils. Hence, this review discusses the dynamics, availability of K, and proposed mechanisms involved when charcoal and wood ash are used to amend tropical acid soils. The optimisation and understanding of the role of charcoal and wood ash co-application as soil amendments have potential benefits to improve the K availability and physicochemical properties of mineral acid soils.

Download Full-text

Soil Nitrogen Sorption Using Charcoal and Wood Ash

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11091801 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (9) ◽

pp. 1801

Author(s):

Nur Hidayah Hamidi ◽

Osumanu Haruna Ahmed ◽

Latifah Omar ◽

Huck Ywih Ch’ng

Keyword(s):

Raw Materials ◽

Soil Amendments ◽

Theory Development ◽

Nutrient Deficiency ◽

Acid Soils ◽

Crop Productivity ◽

Wood Ash ◽

N Availability ◽

Sorption Mechanisms

This paper reviews the use of charcoal and wood ash in acid soils as adsorbents to improve N availability at the same time improving their soil fertility and crop productivity. Soil acidification poses a major challenge in agricultural sustainability and it is serious in highly weathered soils such as Ultisols and Oxisols which are noted for nutrient deficiency and Al and Fe ions toxicities. Understanding sorption mechanisms and isotherms is important for the improvement of soil N availability particularly inorganic N. However, understanding the sorption mechanisms in relation to charcoal and wood ash as absorbents in the literature is difficult because the soil amendments vary depending on their raw materials or sources of origin. Therefore, one of the objectives of this review is to provide recent research findings and theory development on the role of charcoal and wood ash in agriculture. Furthermore, this review focuses on how charcoal and wood ash improve N availability through physical, chemical and biological processes in mineral acidic soils. Balanced application and good understanding of the role of charcoal and wood ash as soil amendments have potential benefits to improve N availability and crop productivity.

Download Full-text

Enhancing Agronomic Efficiency of P Fertilizer through Integration with Agricultural Lime Coffee Husk Ash and Charcoal on Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) Grown in Acidic Soil of Masha District Ethiopia

Turkish Journal of Agriculture - Food Science and Technology ◽

10.24925/turjaf.v7i2.320-324.2296 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 320

Author(s):

Teshale Tadesse Kebede ◽

Mitiku Weldesenbet

Keyword(s):

Faba Bean ◽

Crop Production ◽

Soil Amendments ◽

Block Design ◽

Acid Soils ◽

High Yield ◽

Agronomic Efficiency ◽

Coffee Husk ◽

Randomized Complete Block Design ◽

P Fertilizer

Poor soil fertility is important constraints that limited crop production in Ethiopia. The Masha district was highly prone to phosphorus fixation with ions like Aluminum ion since soil of the area is prone to acidity. This experiment was therefore conducted to investigate the effect of of phosphorus fertilizer with agricultural lime, coffee husk ash and coffee husk charcoal on yield of faba bean and agronomic efficiency of the fertilizer on acidic soils of Masha district. Field experiment involving two rates of phosphorus (23 and 46 kg P2O5/ha) and the three soil amendments was in randomized complete block design with three replication. The result indicated that significantly high grain yield was obtained from integrated application of 46 kg P2O5/ha with the agricultural lime, coffee husk ash and coffee husk charcoal with the observed values of 2265, 1953 and 1943 kg/ha, respectively. Agronomic efficiency significantly great values were obtained from treated with the agricultural lime+23 kg P2O5/ha, agricultural lime+46 kg P2O5/ha, coffee husk ash+23 kg P2O5/ha and coffee husk charcoal+23 kg P2O5/ha with the observed values of 14.86, 14.60 and 10.07, respectively. It can be concluded that 46 kg P2O5 with 2.5 ton agricultural lime, 7.5 ton coffee husk ash or 7.5 ton coffee husk charcoal per hectare on acid soils for high yield and yield components on faba bean at Masha district. When 23 kg P2O5/ha was integrated with the soil amendments, relatively high agronomic efficiency was observed.

Download Full-text

Phosphorus Transformation in Soils Following Co-Application of Charcoal and Wood Ash

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11102010 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (10) ◽

pp. 2010

Author(s):

Prisca Divra Johan ◽

Osumanu Haruna Ahmed ◽

Latifah Omar ◽

Nur Aainaa Hasbullah

Keyword(s):

Crop Production ◽

Calcium Phosphates ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Acid Soils ◽

Crop Productivity ◽

Wood Ash ◽

P Availability ◽

Alkaline Soils ◽

Soil P ◽

P Fixation

Phosphorus (P) is a vital soil macronutrient required by plants for optimum growth and development. However, its availability is limited because of fixation. The phosphorus fixation reaction is pH dependent. In acid soils, the predominance of aluminium (Al) and iron (Fe) oxides in both crystalline and amorphous forms reduces the solubility of soil inorganic P through fixation on positively charged surfaces and formation of insoluble Al and Fe precipitates. In alkaline soils, P readily reacts with calcium (Ca) to form sparingly soluble calcium phosphates. As a result, a large proportion of applied P may become chemically bound, whereas only a small fraction of soil P remains in the soil solution and available for plant uptake. To date, there is little information available on the use of charcoal with a highly negative charge and wood ash with high alkalinity to minimise P fixation in acid soils. Thus, this study examined the potential of the combined use of charcoal and wood ash to unlock P fixation in acid soils. Numerous studies have been conducted to identify effective approaches to improve P availability through the use of different types of soil amendments, regardless of whether P is organically or inorganically present. For example, to mitigate P fixation in acid soils, amendments such as compost and zeolite are used to reduce P sorption sites. These amendments have also been used to increase P uptake and crop productivity in P deficient acid soils by reducing soil acidity and the toxicity of Al and Fe. It is believed that long-term application of charcoal and sago bark ash can positively change the physical and chemical properties of soils. These improvements do not only reduce P fixation in acid soils, but they also promote an effective utilisation of nutrients through timely release of nutrients for maximum crop production.

Download Full-text

Biochar for crop production: potential benefits and risks

Journal of Soils and Sediments ◽

10.1007/s11368-016-1360-2 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

pp. 685-716 ◽

Cited By ~ 131

Author(s):

Mubshar Hussain ◽

Muhammad Farooq ◽

Ahmad Nawaz ◽

Abdullah M. Al-Sadi ◽

Zakaria M. Solaiman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Crop Production ◽

Production Potential ◽

Potential Benefits

Download Full-text

Wood Ash Improved Soil Properties and Crop Yield for Nine Years and Saved Fertilizer

Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.5539/jas.v7n12p72 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 7 (12) ◽

pp. 72 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kabal S. Gill ◽

Sukhdev S. Malhi ◽

Newton Z. Lupwayi

Keyword(s):

Soil Properties ◽

Seed Yield ◽

Crop Production ◽

Soil Acidity ◽

Crop Yields ◽

Wood Ash ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Residual Effects ◽

Contribution Margin ◽

Seed Yields

Wood ash may be used to mitigate soil acidity and improve crop production. We compared effects of wood ash and recommended fertilizers on soil properties of a Gray Luivsol, crop yields and contribution margins in southeast Peace, Alberta, Canada. The CHK (no fertilizer, inoculation or wood ash), FRT (recommended fertilizers or inoculation), ASH (wood ash rate to supply amounts of phosphorus equivalent to the FRT treatment); and ASH+N (same as ASH + N fertilizer or inoculation) treatments were applied in 2006 and 2007. Their effects were studied from 2006 to 2014. Wood ash had all the essential plant nutrients, except nitrogen. Soil samples collected in 2007, 2008 and 2013 had or tended to have higher pH, P, K, Ca, Ca:Mg ratio, S, Cu, Zn and B levels for the ASH and ASH+N treatments than the CHK and FRT treatments. In the 2006 and 2007, the seed yields were ASH+N > FRT > ASH > CHK. The seed yields in 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were greater from both the wood ash treatments than other treatments. Extra contribution margin from the ASH+N over the FRT treatment was $751/ha, i.e. $97 Mg-1 of applied wood ash. Overall, wood ash reduced fertilizer expenditure and improved seed yield, contribution margin and soil properties, with residual effects observed up to seven years and likely for few more years.

Download Full-text

Effects of Liming on Dithionate and Oxalate Extractable Aluminium in Acid Soils

Asian Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition ◽

10.9734/ajsspn/2019/v5i330069 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Esther Mwende Muindi

Keyword(s):

Crop Production ◽

Block Design ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Acid Soils ◽

P Availability ◽

Acidic Soils ◽

Training Centre ◽

Wide Range ◽

World Information ◽

Considerable Work

Liming and phosphorus (P) applications are recommended practices for improving crop production in acid soils of the tropics. Although considerable work has been done to establish liming rates for acid soils in many parts of the world, information on the effects of lime on the forms of aluminium which actively sorb P in such soils is minimal. A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted at Waruhiu Farmers Training Centre, Githunguri to evaluate the effect of liming on oxalate and dithionate extractable aluminium in acid soils. Extremely (pH 4.48) and strongly (pH 4.59) acidic soils were evaluated. Four liming (CaO) rates namely 0, 2.2, 5.2 and 7.4 tonnes ha-1 for extremely acidic and 0, 1.4, 3.2, and 4.5 tonnes ha-1 for strongly acidic soils were evaluated. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and replicated three times. Data collected included: initial soil chemical properties, oxalate (Alo) and dithionate (Ald) aluminium levels. The tested soils had high exchangeable Al (> 2 cmol Al kg-1), Al saturation of (> 20% Al) and low extractable P values (< 15 mg P kg-1 soil). Liming significantly (p=.05) reduced Alo by 70% and 68% in extremely and strongly acidic soils respectively and Ald by 78% in both extremely and strongly acidic soils compared to control. Use of 7.4 tonnes ha-1 of lime in extremely acidic soils and 4.5 tonnes ha-1 of lime in strongly acidic soils significantly (p=.05) reduced both Alo and Ald by > 68% compared to no lime. It was, therefore, concluded that liming contributes to the reduction of soluble Alo and Ald in acid soils of the Kenya highlands leading to increased soluble P availability. Studies are required to provide short and long term optimal liming rates that reduce Alo and Ald without distabilizing availability of other nutrients in field conditions under wide range of acid soils.

Download Full-text

Changes in some chemical properties of saline-sodic soils over time as affected by organic residues: An incubation study

Polish Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.17951/pjss.2020.53.1.1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 53 (1) ◽

pp. 1

Author(s):

Mohsen Jalali ◽

Maryam Saeedi Lotf ◽

Faranak Ranjbar

Keyword(s):

Crop Production ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Exchange Capacity ◽

Limiting Factors ◽

Plant Residues ◽

Organic Residues ◽

Sodic Soils ◽

Treated Soil ◽

Incubation Study

Salinization and sodification of agricultural lands in arid and semi-arid regions of the world are two limiting factors in the crop production. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of readily available agricultural residues on changing some chemical properties of saline-sodic soils. Wheat, potato, sunflower, and canola residues were separately added into three saline-sodic soils at a rate of 2% by weight and thoroughly mixed with soils. Control and treated soils were incubated for 168 days at a constant moisture and temperature. The pH, electrical conductivity (EC), soluble cations, available nitrate (NO3-) and phosphorous (P), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) were measured during the incubation. The EC increased in the response to the incorporation of plant residues, whereas the pH was reduced. The application of organic components in soils increased CEC and decreased ESP. The results showed that the maximum reduction in ESP was observed in the potato treatment because of the highest Ca2+ concentration. The average reduction in ESP of treated soil samples at the end of incubation followed this order: 16.1% (potato residue-treated soil) >12.7% (canola residue-treated soil) >11.1% (wheat residue-treated soil) >9.6% (sunflwer residue-treated soil). The potato residue was the most effective amendment in changing the chemical properties of saline-sodic soils in comparison with other organic residues. The results indicated that the application of organic residues had a positive impact on reducing the soil sodicity and improving the soil fertility depending on their chemical composition.

Download Full-text

Crop responses to lime in long-term pasture-crop rotations in a high rainfall area in south-eastern Australia

Australian Journal of Agricultural Research ◽

10.1071/ar00087 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 52 (3) ◽

pp. 329 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

G. D. Li ◽

K. R. Helyar ◽

M. K. Conyers ◽

B. R. Cullis ◽

P. D. Cregan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Crop Production ◽

Acid Soils ◽

Crop Rotations ◽

Severe Drought ◽

High Rainfall ◽

South Eastern ◽

Permanent Pasture ◽

Eastern Australia ◽

South Eastern Australia

A long-term trial, known as ‘managing acid soils through efficient rotations’ (MASTER), commenced in 1992 to develop and demonstrate a cropping system that is economically viable on the highly acid soils of the traditional permanent pasture region in south-eastern Australia, so that their fertility is sustained or improved. There were 2 permanent pasture systems and 2 pasture–crop rotations, each with and without lime. This paper reports the effect of lime on crop production over the first cycle (6 years). On annual pasture–crop rotations, lime significantly increased the dry matter production at anthesis and grain yields of wheat (cv. Dollarbird) compared with the unlimed treatments. Averaged across years from 1992 to 1997 (excluding the severe drought year 1994), wheat crops produced 1.6 t/ha more grain on the limed treatments than on the unlimed treatments (3.6 v. 2.0 t/ha). On perennial pasture–crop rotations, the lime effects varied with crops grown at each phase and year. For example, despite being tolerant of acidity, oats (cv. Yarran) responded to lime in 1996. Likewise, triticale (cv. Abacus) responded to lime in 1997. Wheat (cv. Dollarbird) that is moderately tolerant to acidity responded to lime in phase 6 from 1992 to 1997 excluding 1994 (3.5 v. 1.7 t/ha). Acid-tolerant wheat varieties, triticale, and narrow-leaf lupins are considered the most viable crops for the soil and climatic conditions encountered in this high rainfall (5000—800 mm per annum) area of south-eastern Australia.

Download Full-text

Use of light scattering techniques to study the kinetics of precipitation of mineral acid casein from skim milk

Journal of Dairy Research ◽

10.1017/s0022029900026005 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 55 (2) ◽

pp. 179-188 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Mark S. Jablonka ◽

Peter A. Munro ◽

Geoffrey G. Duffy

Keyword(s):

Light Scattering ◽

Dynamic Equilibrium ◽

Skim Milk ◽

Particle Growth ◽

Mineral Acid ◽

Fibre Optics ◽

Third Phase ◽

Precipitation Ph ◽

Kinetics Of ◽

Open Pipe

SummaryTwo light scattering methods for monitoring the precipitation of casein from skim milk (9% w/w) with mineral acid are presented. Experiments were carried out at precipitation temperatures in the range 25–53 °C and precipitation pH values in the range 3·9–5·1. The initial stages of precipitation were explored using a light fibre optics system attached to a closed-loop acid/milk mixing system. The later stages of particle formation and growth were examined using a laser doppler anemometer attached to an open-pipe flow system. It was found that there was a lag initially, followed by a period of rapid particle growth. During a third phase a dynamic equilibrium between particle growth, break-up and shrinkage was established. A model for isoelectric casein precipitation based on these observations is proposed and discussed.

Download Full-text