Rice Residue-Based Biochar Mitigates N2O Emission from Acid Red Soil

Biochar application is considered an effective approach to mitigating nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from agricultural soils. However, the mechanisms of biochar to mitigate N2O emissions from acidic red soils are still unclear. Therefore, the present study aims to underpin mechanisms associated with rice residue-based biochar in mitigating N2O emissions from acid soils. Soil treated with different rates of biochar control, from 1%, 2%, and 3%, and different soil properties, including soil pH, microbial biomass carbon (MBC), NH4+-N, NO3−-N, genes abundance (nosZ, nirK, AOA, and AOB), and enzymatic activities ((nitrate reductase (NR) and urease (UR)) were studied. The application of 3% biochar increased the soil pH (5.21–6.48), MBC (565–685 mg/kg), NO3−-N contents (24.23–44.5 mg/kg), genes abundance (nosZ, nirK, AOA, and AOB) and UR activity. The highest N2O emission (43.60 μg kg−1) was recorded and compared with the application of 1% (26.3 μg kg−1), 2% (18.33 μg kg−1), and 3% biochar (8.13 μg kg−1). Applying 3% biochar effectively reduced the N2O emission due to increased soil pH, MBC, NO3−-N contents, genes abundance (nosZ, nirK, AOA, and AOB), and weakened NH4+-N and NR activities. Therefore, increasing soil pH, genes abundance, and weakened nitrification following the addition of rice residue-based biochar can effectively reduce the N2O emissions from acidic red soils.

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Nitrous oxide emission from two acidic soils as affected by dolomite application

Soil Research ◽

10.1071/sr14129 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 52 (8) ◽

pp. 841 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Muhammad Shaaban ◽

Qian Peng ◽

Shan Lin ◽

Yupeng Wu ◽

Jinsong Zhao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nitrous Oxide ◽

Microbial Biomass ◽

Organic Carbon ◽

Soil Ph ◽

Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽

Rice Paddy ◽

N2o Emission ◽

N2o Emissions ◽

Biomass Carbon ◽

Acidic Soils

The effect of dolomite (CaMg(CO3)2) application on nitrous oxide (N2O) emission was examined in a laboratory study with soil from a rice paddy–rapeseed rotation (PR soil, pH 5.25) and from a rice paddy–fallow–flooded rotation soil (PF soil, pH 5.52). The soils were treated with 0, 0.5 (L) and 1.5 (H) g dolomite 100 g–1 soil. Results showed that N2O emissions were higher in control treatments (untreated dolomite) in both soils. Application of dolomite decreased N2O emissions significantly (P ≤ 0.001) as soil pH increased in both soils. The H treatment was more effective than the L treatment for the reduction of N2O emissions. The H treatment decreased the cumulative N2O emissions by up to 73.77% in PR soil and 64.07% in PF soil compared with the control. The application of dolomite also affected concentrations of dissolved organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon, ammonium and nitrate in soils, which related to N2O emission. The results suggest that dolomite not only counteracts soil acidification but also has the potential to mitigate N2O emissions in acidic soils.

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IMPACT OF ELEMENTAL SULFUR FERTILIZATION ON AGRICULTURAL SOILS. I. EFFECTS ON MICROBIAL BIOMASS AND ENZYME ACTIVITIES

Canadian Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.4141/cjss88-045 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 68 (3) ◽

pp. 463-473 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

V. V. S. R. GUPTA ◽

J. R. LAWRENCE ◽

J. J. GERMIDA

Keyword(s):

Microbial Biomass ◽

Elemental Sulfur ◽

Agricultural Soils ◽

Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽

Fertilizer Application ◽

Biomass Carbon ◽

Repeated Application ◽

Organic C ◽

The Impact ◽

Sulfur Fertilization

This study investigated the impact of repeated application of S° fertilizer on microbial and biochemical characteristics of two Grey Luvisolic soils. The Waitville pasture plots received Agri-Sul at a rate of 22 or 44 kg S° ha−1 yr−1 for 5 yr, whereas the Loon River canola-summerfallow plots received single or double applications of Flow-able Sulfur (50 kg S° ha−1) or Agri-Sul (100 kg S° ha−1). Application of S° fertilizer significantly decreased the pH in both soils. Organic C declined in S°-treated plots of the Waitville soil, and there was a narrowing of C:N:S ratios in both soils. Application of S° fertilizer significantly increased the total S, HI-S and sulfate sulfur levels of both soils. There was a 29–45% and 2–51% decline in microbial biomass carbon content due to S° fertilizer application in Waitville and Loon River soils, respectively. Repeated application of S° also resulted in a decline in respiration, dehydrogenase, urease, alkaline phosphatase and arylsulfatase activities, along with populations of protozoa, algae and nitrifiers in both soils. Significant correlations observed among related characteristics further emphasized the treatment effects. These results indicate that the impact of repeated application of S° fertilizer on microbial biomass and activity should be considered when recommending S° as a fertilizer for sulfur-deficient soils. Key words: Sulfur (elemental), microbial biomass, dehydrogenase, urea, phosphomonoesterases, arylsulfatase

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Nitrous oxide production in boreal soils with variable organic matter content at low temperature – snow manipulation experiment

Biogeosciences Discussions ◽

10.5194/bgd-6-5305-2009 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 5305-5337 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

M. Maljanen ◽

P. Virkajärvi ◽

J. Hytönen ◽

M. Öquist ◽

T. Sparrman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nitrous Oxide ◽

Low Temperatures ◽

Agricultural Soils ◽

Winter Season ◽

Organic Matter Content ◽

N2o Emission ◽

N2o Emissions ◽

Peat Soils ◽

Snow Manipulation ◽

Boreal Soils

Abstract. Agricultural soils are the most important sources for the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O), which is produced and emitted from soil also at low temperatures. The processes behind emissions at low temperatures are still poorly known. To simulate the effects of a reduction in snow depth on N2O emission in warming climate, snow pack was removed from three different agricultural soils (sand, mull, peat). Removal of snow lowered soil temperature and increased the extent and duration of soil frost which led to enhanced N2O emissions during freezing and thawing events in sand and mull soils. The cumulative emissions during the first year when snow was removed over the whole winter were 0.25, 0.66 and 3.0 g N2O-N m−2 yr−1 in control plots of sand, mull and peat soils, respectively. Without snow cover the respectively cumulative emissions were 0.37, 1.3 and 3.3 g N2O-N m−2 yr−1. Shorter snow manipulation during the second year did not increase the annual emissions. Only 20% of the N2O emission occurred during the growing season. Thus, highlighting the importance of the winter season for this exchange and that the year-round measurements of N2O emissions from boreal soils are integral for estimating their N2O source strength. N2O accumulated in the frozen soil during winter and the soil N2O concentration correlated with the depth of frost but not with the winter N2O emission rates per se. Also laboratory incubations of soil samples showed high production rates of N2O at temperatures below 0°C, especially in the sand and peat soils.

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Soil carbon, microbial biomass carbon, soil health and productivity of toria (Brassica campestris L.) crop as affected by the application of organic manures

Journal of Environmental Biology ◽

10.22438/jeb/42/5/mrn-1648 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 42 (5) ◽

pp. 1379-1386

Author(s):

B. Gogoi ◽

◽

B. Kalita ◽

I. Bhupenchandra ◽

P. Sutradhar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Microbial Biomass ◽

Organic Carbon ◽

Soil Properties ◽

Soil Ph ◽

Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽

Block Design ◽

Cow Dung ◽

Biomass Carbon ◽

Branch Number ◽

Organic Manures

Aim: To investigate the effect of different organic manures on the performance of toria crop and to understand their impact on the soil properties and availability of nutrients in acidic sandy loam soil. Methodology: Three-year fixed plot study was conducted with 7 treatments viz., T1: control, T2: recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF), T3: cow dung manure @ 5 t ha-1, T4: pig dung manure @ 5 t ha-1, T5: goat dung manure @ 5 t ha-1, T6: farm yard manure (FYM) @ 5 t ha-1, and T7: vermicompost @ 5 t ha-1 replicating 3 times in a complete randomized block design. Data were collected and analysed following the standard procedures. The yield and yield attributing parameters of toria and the soil properties such as soil pH, organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon and available NPK were studied. Results: Application of different organic manures significantly affected the plant height, number of primary branches per plant, number of siliquae per branch, number of seeds siliqua and 1000-seed weight of toria crop. Addition of organic manure significantly enhanced the soil organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon and available NPK in the soil over initial, except soil pH. The cost of cultivation, gross return and net return varied from 10.50 ×103 to 23.10 ×103, 15.00 ×103 to 35.10 ×103 and 4.46 ×103 to 19.96 ×103 Rs. ha-1, respectively. The B:C ratio varied in the order of goat dung manure > cow dung manure >RDF >FYM > pig dung manure > vermicompost > control treatment. Interpretation: To achieve maximum performance with nourishment of soil quality and health, application of vermicompost was confirmed to be the best over other organic sources of nutrients primarily due to enhancement in C and N status and an increase in microbial activities in soil.

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Nitrous oxide production in boreal soils with variable organic matter content at low temperature – snow manipulation experiment

Biogeosciences ◽

10.5194/bg-6-2461-2009 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 6 (11) ◽

pp. 2461-2473 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

M. Maljanen ◽

P. Virkajärvi ◽

J. Hytönen ◽

M. Öquist ◽

T. Sparrman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nitrous Oxide ◽

Soil Temperature ◽

Low Temperatures ◽

Agricultural Soils ◽

Winter Season ◽

N2o Emission ◽

N2o Emissions ◽

Peat Soils ◽

Snow Manipulation ◽

Boreal Soils

Abstract. Agricultural soils are the most important sources for the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O), which is produced and emitted from soils also at low temperatures. The processes behind emissions at low temperatures are still poorly known. Snow is a good insulator and it keeps soil temperature rather constant. To simulate the effects of a reduction in snow depth on N2O emission in warming climate, snow pack was removed from experimental plots on three different agricultural soils (sand, mull, peat). Removal of snow lowered soil temperature and increased the extent and duration of soil frost in sand and mull soils. This led to enhanced N2O emissions during freezing and thawing events. The cumulative emissions during the first year when snow was removed over the whole winter were 0.25, 0.66 and 3.0 g N2O-N m−2 yr−1 in control plots of sand, mull and peat soils, respectively. In the treatment plots, without snow cover, the respective cumulative emissions were 0.37, 1.3 and 3.3 g N2O-N m−2 yr−1. Shorter snow manipulation during the second year did not increase the annual emissions. Only 20% of the N2O emission occurred during the growing season. Thus, these results highlight the importance of the winter season for this exchange and that the year-round measurements of annual N2O emissions from boreal soils are integral for estimating their N2O source strength. N2O accumulated in the frozen soil during winter and the soil N2O concentration correlated with the depth of frost but not with the winter N2O emission rates per se. Also laboratory incubations of soil samples showed high production rates of N2O at temperatures below 0°C, especially in the sand and peat soils.

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Do lignite-derived organic amendments improve early-stage pasture growth and key soil biological and physicochemical properties?

Crop and Pasture Science ◽

10.1071/cp13433 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 65 (9) ◽

pp. 899 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Karen R. Little ◽

Michael T. Rose ◽

William R. Jackson ◽

Timothy R. Cavagnaro ◽

Antonio F. Patti

Keyword(s):

Microbial Biomass ◽

Brown Coal ◽

Soil Ph ◽

Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽

Early Stage ◽

Soil Health ◽

Soil Types ◽

Biomass Carbon ◽

Mycorrhizal Colonisation ◽

Key Indicators

Commercial products derived from lignite (brown coal), sold mainly as humate preparations, are widely promoted as plant growth stimulants leading to higher crop yields. These products are also claimed to improve key indicators of soil health including soil pH and microbial biomass. In a glasshouse setting, we investigated the effect of six lignite-derived amendments applied at the manufacturer’s recommended rate on the early-stage growth of two pasture species, lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) and ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.). We used two soil types common to south-eastern Australia, and following an 8-week growing period, assessed soil pH, microbial biomass carbon and mycorrhizal colonisation as key indicators of soil health. We hypothesised that humic acid (HA) and macronutrients derived from the products would positively influence pasture growth and soil health indicators. Although significant growth effects were observed in response to some products, the effects were inconsistent across pasture and soil types. Treatment effects on tissue nutrient accumulation were rare, with the exception of increased potassium in ryegrass in one soil amended with raw brown coal, and decreased nitrogen in lucerne in the same soil amended with a granulated, slow-release humate product. Further, we found no consistent trends in mycorrhizal colonisation or microbial biomass carbon in response to individual treatments. Given the variable responses of the plant species and soil types to the amendments used here, we emphasise the need for further mechanistic studies to help understand how these amendments can be used to greatest effect.

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Changes of some soil chemical and microbiological characteristics in a long-term fertilization experiment in Hungary

Acta Agraria Debreceniensis ◽

10.34101/actaagrar/150/1722 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 253-265

Author(s):

János Kátai ◽

Magdolna Tállai ◽

Imre Vágó ◽

Andrea Balláné Kovács

Keyword(s):

Microbial Biomass ◽

Crop Rotation ◽

Soil Ph ◽

Management Practices ◽

Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽

Organic Matter Content ◽

Nitrate Content ◽

Biomass Carbon ◽

Hydrolytic Acidity

Agricultural management practices – directly or indirectly – influence soil properties. Fertilization rates and crop rotation can strongly affect soil pH, soil nutrient supply and soil organic matter content due to the changes of microbial processes. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of different fertilization doses in monoculture and tri-culture of maize (monoculture: only maize grown since 1983, tri-culture: it is a three-year crop rotation system: pea – winter wheat – maize) on selected soil characteristics. The long-term fertilization experiments were set up in 1983 in Eastern Hungary. These experiments are situated west of Debrecen in Hajdúság loess region, on calcareous chernozem (according to WRB: Chernozems). The test plant was maize (Zea mays L.). One-one pilot blocks were selected from monoculture and tri-culture of the long-term experiments. The observed soil samples were taken in the 30th year of the experiment, in 2013. The doses of NPK fertilizers increased parallel together, so the effects of N-, P- and K-fertilizers cannot be separated. With the increasing fertilizer doses, the soil pH has decreased in both crop production systems and, in parallel, the hydrolytic acidity has significantly increased. A close negative correlation was proved between the pHH2O, pHKCl and hydrolytic acidity. An increased nutrient content in soil was recorded in every NPK treatment and the available phosphorus and nitrate content increased in higher proportion than that of potassium. Of the measured parameters of C-and N-cycles, fertilization has mostly had a positive effect on the microbial activity of soils. Besides the effects of fertilizer doses, correlation were looked for between soil microbiological properties. Evaluating the ratios among the measured parameters (organic carbon and microbial biomass carbon, OC/MBC ratio; carbon-dioxide and microbial biomass carbon; CO2/MBC proportion), the fertilization rate seems to be favoured by the increase of amounts of organic compounds

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Elucidation of the source and turnover of water soluble and microbial biomass carbon in agricultural soils

Soil Biology and Biochemistry ◽

10.1016/s0038-0717(99)00146-7 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 32 (5) ◽

pp. 581-587 ◽

Cited By ~ 138

Author(s):

E.G. Gregorich ◽

B.C. Liang ◽

C.F. Drury ◽

A.F. Mackenzie ◽

W.B. McGill

Keyword(s):

Microbial Biomass ◽

Agricultural Soils ◽

Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽

Water Soluble ◽

Biomass Carbon

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Effect of biochar and liming on soil nitrous oxide emissions from a temperate maize cropping system

SOIL ◽

10.5194/soil-1-707-2015 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 707-717 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

R. Hüppi ◽

R. Felber ◽

A. Neftel ◽

J. Six ◽

J. Leifeld

Keyword(s):

Nitrous Oxide ◽

Soil Ph ◽

Agricultural Soils ◽

Pyrolysis Product ◽

Cropping System ◽

Nitrous Oxide Emissions ◽

Control Treatment ◽

N2o Emissions ◽

Data Set ◽

Large Variability

Abstract. Biochar, a carbon-rich, porous pyrolysis product of organic residues may positively affect plant yield and can, owing to its inherent stability, promote soil carbon sequestration when amended to agricultural soils. Another possible effect of biochar is the reduction in emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O). A number of laboratory incubations have shown significantly reduced N2O emissions from soil when mixed with biochar. Emission measurements under field conditions however are more scarce and show weaker or no reductions, or even increases in N2O emissions. One of the hypothesised mechanisms for reduced N2O emissions from soil is owing to the increase in soil pH following the application of alkaline biochar. To test the effect of biochar on N2O emissions in a temperate maize cropping system, we set up a field trial with a 20t ha−1 biochar treatment, a limestone treatment adjusted to the same pH as the biochar treatment (pH 6.5), and a control treatment without any addition (pH 6.1). An automated static chamber system measured N2O emissions for each replicate plot (n = 3) every 3.6 h over the course of 8 months. The field was conventionally fertilised at a rate of 160 kg N ha−1 in three applications of 40, 80 and 40 kg N ha−1 as ammonium nitrate. Cumulative N2O emissions were 52 % smaller in the biochar compared to the control treatment. However, the effect of the treatments overall was not statistically significant (p = 0.27) because of the large variability in the data set. Limed soils emitted similar mean cumulative amounts of N2O as the control. There is no evidence that reduced N2O emissions with biochar relative to the control is solely caused by a higher soil pH.

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Effects of pumice mining on soil quality

Solid Earth Discussions ◽

10.5194/sed-7-1375-2015 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 1375-1398 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

A. Cruz-Ruíz ◽

E. Cruz-Ruíz ◽

R. Vaca ◽

P. Del Aguila ◽

J. Lugo

Keyword(s):

Microbial Biomass ◽

Organic Carbon ◽

Soil Organic Carbon ◽

Soil Quality ◽

Total Nitrogen ◽

Agricultural Soils ◽

Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽

Biomass Carbon ◽

Study Sites ◽

Representative Area

Abstract. México is the worl's fourth most important maize producer; hence, there is a need to maintain soil quality for a sustainable production in the upcoming years. Pumice mining, a superficial operation, modifies large areas in Central Mexico. The main aim was to assess the present state of agricultural soils differing in elapsed-time since pumice mining (0–15 years), in a representative area of the Calimaya region in the State of Mexico. The study sites in 0, 1, 4, 10 and 15 year-old reclaimed soils were compared with adjacent undisturbed site. Our results indicate that soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, microbial biomass carbon and microbial quotients were greatly impacted by disturbance. A general trend of recovery towards the undisturbed condition with reclamation age was found after disturbance. Recovery of soil total nitrogen was faster than soil organic carbon. Principal components analysis was applied. The first three components together explain 71.72 % of the total variability. First factor reveals strong associations between total nitrogen, microbial biomass carbon and pH. The second factor reveals high loading of urease and catalase. The obtained results revealed that the most appropriate indicators to diagnose the quality of the soils were: total nitrogen, microbial biomass carbon and soil organic carbon.

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