Soil Amendment with Biochar Affects Water Drainage and Nutrient Losses by Leaching: Experimental Evidence under Field-Grown Conditions

Leaching of soluble elements from cultivated soils is a major concern to meet the target of agricultural sustainability in most areas. The effect of biochar application to a cultivated soil on water drainage and the consequent solute losses was assessed during a trial carried out over two consecutive growing seasons. Biochar was added to a loam-texture soil, at 0, 1, and 2% d.w. rates. A lysimeter-like set-up arranged in the experimental field-unit, allowed collecting the percolating water. Two multiple linear regressions (ANCOVA models) were applied to detect biochar effect on: (1) The seasonal amount of drained water; and (2) the concentration of solutes in the drained water. The statistical comparison among a set of slope coefficients as affected by treatments (growing season and biochar) was used as modelling approach. The lower biochar application rate (1%) significantly reduced both the amount of drained water and its concentration in solutes. Conversely, the higher biochar application rate (2%) showed no significant effects. Nitrate and chloride showed a significant interaction with biochar application rates. Higher biochar application increased nitrate leaching while reduced that of chloride. Biochar application within a rate no more than 1% resulted in a useful and quite effective technical operation.

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Amelioration of subsurface acidity in sandy soils in low rainfall regions .1. Responses of wheat and lupins to surface-applied gypsum and lime

Soil Research ◽

10.1071/sr9940835 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 32 (4) ◽

pp. 835 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

CDA Mclay ◽

GSP Ritchie ◽

WM Porter

Keyword(s):

Sandy Soils ◽

Soil Surface ◽

Field Trials ◽

Application Rate ◽

Growing Seasons ◽

Application Rates ◽

Lime Application ◽

Water Holding ◽

Different Sources ◽

Gypsum Application

Amelioration of subsoil acidity using gypsum (CaSO4.2H2O) or lime (CaCO3) was studied on sandy textured soils with low water holding capacity in a low rainfall environment. Field trials were established in 1989 at two sites on yellow sandplain soils to investigate whether different rates, sources and combinations of gypsum and lime application could be used to increase wheat and lupin yields. Gypsum increased wheat yields by up to 45% in the first two growing seasons whereas lime increased wheat yields by up to only 15% in the second season. The highest yields were generally recorded when gypsum and lime were applied together. The response of wheat to the various treatments varied both regionally and temporally and it is suggested that the inherent soil solution composition affected the magnitude and rapidity of wheat responses to gypsum. The rate of gypsum application affected the longevity of the wheat responses, with a low application rate (1 t ha-1) increasing yields for only one season. No differences in wheat yields were recorded between different sources of gypsum or application rates higher than 3 t ha-1. In contrast to wheat, lupin yields were substantially lower on gypsum-treated plots. The yield decline did not appear to be related to any simple nutritional factor and the gypsum effect was generally minimized when lime was added with the gypsum. The results indicated that lower rates of gypsum than used in previous subsoil amelioration studies were suitable for increasing wheat yields on sandy soils in low rainfall environments, and that gypsum should not be used if lupins are to be grown within at least 2 years of its application to the soil surface.

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Hydrochar did not reduce rice paddy NH3 volatilization compared to pyrochar in a soil column experiment

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-76213-z ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Xiaoyu Liu ◽

Yueqin Cheng ◽

Yang Liu ◽

Danyan Chen ◽

Yin Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ph Value ◽

Nitrogen Loss ◽

Soil Column ◽

Column Experiment ◽

Rice Paddy ◽

Application Rate ◽

High Rate ◽

Application Rates ◽

Soil Column Experiment ◽

Set Up

Abstract Pyrochar (PC) is always with high pH value, and improper application might increase rice paddy ammonia volatilization (PAV), which is the main nitrogen loss through air during rice production. Differently, hydrochar (HC) takes the advantages of high productive rate and always with lower pH value compared with PC. However, effect pattern and mechanism of HC on PAV are still unclear. In the present study, soil column experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of PC and HC application on PAV. In total, treatments with four types of biochar (WPC, SPC, WHC and SHC, i.e., PC and HC prepared with wheat straw and sawdust, respectively) and two application rates (0.5% and 1.5%, w/w) were set up and non-biochar application was used as control. Results showed that, application of HC with low pH value could not reduce PAV compared with PC. Total PAV increased significantly as the increase of HC application rate (especially for WHC). The increment of PAV under high rate HC application might be due to the strong buffer capacity of soil, the aging of biochar, the high nitrogen from HC. The results indicated that HC should be pretreatment before utilization in agricultural environment considering PAV reduction.

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Determining the effect of exogenous organic materials on spatial distribution of maize yield

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-019-56266-5 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Bogusław Usowicz ◽

Jerzy Lipiec

Keyword(s):

Spatial Distribution ◽

Management Practices ◽

Organic Materials ◽

Weather Conditions ◽

Maize Yield ◽

Application Rate ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

Mineral N ◽

Application Rates ◽

Linear Regressions

AbstractKnowledge on spatial distribution of crop yield in relation to fixed soil fertilisation with exogenous organic materials is essential for improving precise crop and soil management practices within a field. This study assessed the effect of various application rates and types of exogenous (recycled) organic materials (EOMs) containing different organic matter and nitrogen contents vs. mineral nitrogen on the yield of maize by means of linear regressions (trends), spatial kriging-interpolated maps, and Bland-Altman statistics. The experiments were conducted in 2013 and 2014 on two soils, i.e. loam silt in Braszowice (Poland) and clay silt loam in Pusté Jakartice (Czech Republic) under a cross-border cooperation project. The organic materials included compost from manure, slurry, and straw (Ag), industrial organic compost from sewage sludge (Ra), animal meal from animal by-products (Mb), and digestate from a biogas fries factory (Dg). The following 3 application rates of each EOM were adjusted according to the reference 100% = 200 kg N ha−1: 50 (50% N from EOM and 50% mineral N), 75 (75% N from EOM and 25% mineral N), and 100 (100% N from EOM). 100% mineral N was applied on control plots. All treatments were carried out in 4 replicates. The linear regressions between the EOM application rates and the maize yield were in general ascending in the Braszowice soil and descending in the more productive Pusté Jakartice soil. The spatial kriging-interpolated maps allowed separating zones of lower and higher yields with EOMs compared to the control. They were attributed in part to the different EOM application rates and soil water contents. The Bland-Altaman statistics showed that addition of 50% of N from EOMs in 2013 caused a decrease and an increase in the maize grain yield in Braszowice and Pusté Jakartice, respectively, whereas the inverse was true with the 75 and 100% EOM additions. In 2014, the yield of maize for silage increased with the increasing EOM application rate in Braszowice and decreased in Pusté Jakartice, but it was smaller on all EOM-amended plots than in the control. As shown by the limits of agreement lines, the maize yields were more even in Pusté Jakartice than Braszowice. These results provide helpful information for selection of the most yield-producing EOM rates depending on the site soil conditions and prevalent weather conditions.

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Effect of different soil and weather conditions on efficacy, selectivity and dissipation of herbicides in sunflower

Plant Soil and Environment ◽

10.17221/223/2020-pse ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 66 (No. 9) ◽

pp. 468-476

Author(s):

Miroslav Jursík ◽

Martin Kočárek ◽

Michaela Kolářová ◽

Lukáš Tichý

Keyword(s):

Cation Exchange Capacity ◽

Chenopodium Album ◽

Soil Layer ◽

Weather Conditions ◽

Growing Season ◽

Application Rate ◽

Exchange Capacity ◽

Vertical Transport ◽

Application Rates ◽

High Precipitation

Six sunflower herbicides were tested at two application rates (1N and 2N) on three locations (with different soil types) within three years (2015–2017). Efficacy of the tested herbicides on Chenopodium album increased with an increasing cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the soil. Efficacy of pendimethalin was 95%, flurochloridone and aclonifen 94%, dimethenamid-P 72%, pethoxamid 49% and S-metolachlor 47%. All tested herbicides injured sunflower on sandy soil (Regosol) which had the lowest CEC, especially in wet conditions (phytotoxicity 27% after 1N application rate). The highest phytotoxicity was recorded after the application of dimethenamid-P (19% at 1N and 45% at 2N application rate). Main symptoms of phytotoxicity were leaf deformations and necroses and the damage of growing tips, which led to destruction of some plants. Aclonifen, pethoxamid and S-metolachlor at 1N did not injure sunflower on the soil with the highest CEC (Chernozem) in any of the experimental years. Persistence of tested herbicides was significantly longer in Fluvisol (medium CEC) compared to Regosol and Chernozem. Dimethenamid-P showed the shortest persistence in Regosol and Chernozem. The majority of herbicides was detected in the soil layer 0–5 cm in all tested soils. Vertical transport of herbicides in soil was affected by the herbicide used, soil type and weather conditions. The highest vertical transport was recorded for dimethenamid-P and pethoxamid (4, resp. 6% of applied rate) in Regosol in the growing season with high precipitation.

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Effects of two wood-based biochars on the fate of added fertilizer nitrogen—a 15N tracing study

Biology and Fertility of Soils ◽

10.1007/s00374-020-01534-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Subin Kalu ◽

Gboyega Nathaniel Oyekoya ◽

Per Ambus ◽

Priit Tammeorg ◽

Asko Simojoki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plant Uptake ◽

Plant Biomass ◽

Application Rate ◽

Control Treatment ◽

Organic N ◽

N Leaching ◽

Soil N ◽

Mineral N ◽

Total N ◽

Application Rates

AbstractA 15N tracing pot experiment was conducted using two types of wood-based biochars: a regular biochar and a Kon-Tiki-produced nutrient-enriched biochar, at two application rates (1% and 5% (w/w)), in addition to a fertilizer only and a control treatment. Ryegrass was sown in pots, all of which except controls received 15N-labelled fertilizer as either 15NH4NO3 or NH415NO3. We quantified the effect of biochar application on soil N2O emissions, as well as the fate of fertilizer-derived ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3−) in terms of their leaching from the soil, uptake into plant biomass, and recovery in the soil. We found that application of biochars reduced soil mineral N leaching and N2O emissions. Similarly, the higher biochar application rate of 5% significantly increased aboveground ryegrass biomass yield. However, no differences in N2O emissions and ryegrass biomass yields were observed between regular and nutrient-enriched biochar treatments, although mineral N leaching tended to be lower in the nutrient-enriched biochar treatment than in the regular biochar treatment. The 15N analysis revealed that biochar application increased the plant uptake of added nitrate, but reduced the plant uptake of added ammonium compared to the fertilizer only treatment. Thus, the uptake of total N derived from added NH4NO3 fertilizer was not affected by the biochar addition, and cannot explain the increase in plant biomass in biochar treatments. Instead, the increased plant biomass at the higher biochar application rate was attributed to the enhanced uptake of N derived from soil. This suggests that the interactions between biochar and native soil organic N may be important determinants of the availability of soil N to plant growth.

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Evaluation of the Regional-Scale Optimal K Rate Based on Sustainable Apple Yield and High-Efficiency K Use in Loess Plateau and Bohai Bay of China: A Meta-Analysis

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11071368 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. 1368

Author(s):

Wenzheng Tang ◽

Wene Wang ◽

Dianyu Chen ◽

Ningbo Cui ◽

Haosheng Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Loess Plateau ◽

High Efficiency ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Regional Scale ◽

Fertilizer Application ◽

Application Rate ◽

Bohai Bay ◽

The Loess Plateau ◽

Application Rates ◽

Relationship Model

In order to meet the growing food demand of the global population and maintain sustainable soil fertility, there is an urgent need to optimize fertilizer application amount in agricultural production practices. Most of the existing studies on the optimal K rates for apple orchards were based on case studies and lack information on optimizing K-fertilizer management on a regional scale. Here, we used the method of combining meta-analysis with the K application rate-yield relationship model to quantify and summarize the optimal K rates of the Loess Plateau and Bohai Bay regions in China. We built a dataset based on 159 observations obtained from 18 peer-reviewed literature studies distributed in 15 different research sites and evaluated the regional-scale optimal K rates for apple production. The results showed that the linear plus platform model was more suitable for estimating the regional-scale optimal K rates, which were 208.33 and 176.61 kg K ha−1 for the Loess Plateau and Bohai Bay regions of China, respectively. Compared with high K application rates, the optimal K rates increased K use efficiency by 45.88–68.57%, with almost no yield losses. The optimal K rates also enhanced the yield by 6.30% compared with the low K application rates.

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Yield, germination and herbicide residue in seeds of preharvest desiccated wheat

Journal of Seed Science ◽

10.1590/2317-1545v40n3191284 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 40 (3) ◽

pp. 304-312 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Lais Tessari Perboni ◽

Dirceu Agostinetto ◽

Leandro Vargas ◽

Joanei Cechin ◽

Renan Ricardo Zandoná ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Wheat Yield ◽

Application Rate ◽

Application Time ◽

Herbicide Application ◽

Herbicide Residue ◽

Application Rates ◽

Weight Yield ◽

Time Periods ◽

Dough Stage ◽

Wheat Seeds

Abstract: The goals of this study were to evaluate herbicide application rates at different timings for preharvest desiccation of wheat (Trial 1), as well as to evaluate the effect of the timing of herbicide desiccation at preharvest and harvest timing (Trial 2) on yield, germination, and herbicide residue in wheat seed. In Trial 1, treatments consisted of two application rates of glufosinate, glyphosate, paraquat, or paraquat+diuron and a control without application; application time periods were in the milk grain to early dough stage, soft dough to hard dough stage, and hard dough stage. In Trial 2, treatments consisted of different application time periods (milk grain to early dough stage, and soft dough to hard dough stage), different herbicides (glufosinate, 2,4-D+glyphosate, and untreated control), and different harvest times (5, 10 and 15 days after herbicide application). One thousand seeds weight, yield, first and final germination count, and herbicide residue on seeds were evaluated. Preharvest desiccation with paraquat, glufosinate, and 2,4-D+glyphosate at the milk grain to early dough stage reduces wheat yield. Regardless of the herbicide and application rate, application in the milk grain to early dough stage and soft dough to hard dough stage provides greater germination of wheat seeds, except at the lower dose of paraquat. Systemic herbicides accumulate more in wheat seeds.

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Exploring Suitable Biochar Application Rates with Compost to Improve Upland Field Environment

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11061136 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 1136

Author(s):

Se-Won Kang ◽

Jin-Ju Yun ◽

Jae-Hyuk Park ◽

Ju-Sik Cho

Keyword(s):

Soil Quality ◽

Chinese Cabbage ◽

Early Period ◽

Crop Productivity ◽

Application Rate ◽

Control Treatment ◽

N2o Emissions ◽

Treatment Area ◽

Application Rates ◽

Upland Field

A field experiment was carried out to investigate crop productivity, emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O), and soil quality of an upland field treated with compost and varying rates of biochar (BC) derived from soybean stalks during crop growing periods in a corn and Chinese cabbage rotation system. Compost was supplemented with BC derived from soybean stalks at varying rates of 5, 10, 15, and 20 t ha−1 (BC5, BC10, BC15, and BC20, respectively); the control (BC0) area was untreated. Our results reveal that crop productivity and emissions of CO2 and N2O varied significantly with the biochar application rate. Moreover, irrespective of the biochar application rate, crop productivity was improved after BC application as compared to the control treatment area, by 11.2–29.3% (average 17.0 ± 8.3%) for corn cultivation and 10.3–39.7% (average 27.8 ± 12.7%) for Chinese cabbage cultivation. Peak emissions of CO2 and N2O were mainly observed in the early period of crop cultivation, whereas low CO2 and N2O emissions were determined during the fallow period. Compared to the control area, significant differences were obtained for CO2 emissions produced by the different biochar application rates for both crops. During the two cropping periods, the overall N2O emission was significantly decreased with BC5, BC10, BC15, and BC20 applications as compared to the control, ranging from 11.1 to 13.6%, 8.7 to 15.4%, 23.1 to 26.0%, and 15.0 to 19.6%, respectively (average 16.9% decrease in the corn crop period and 16.3% in the Chinese cabbage crop period). Soil quality results after the final crop harvest show that bulk density, soil organic carbon (SOC), pH, and cation exchange capacity (CEC) were significantly improved by biochar application, as compared to the control. Taken together, our results indicate that compost application supplemented with biochar is potentially an appropriate strategy for achieving high crop productivity and improving soil quality in upland field conditions. In conclusion, appropriate application of biochar with compost has the concomitant advantages of enriching soil quality for long-term sustainable agriculture and reducing the use of inorganic fertilizers.

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Nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide emissions from monoculture and rotational cropping of corn, soybean and winter wheat

Canadian Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.4141/cjss06015 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 88 (2) ◽

pp. 163-174 ◽

Cited By ~ 56

Author(s):

C F Drury ◽

X M Yang ◽

W D Reynolds ◽

N B McLaughlin

Keyword(s):

Carbon Dioxide ◽

Nitrous Oxide ◽

Winter Wheat ◽

Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽

Crop Residue ◽

Agricultural Land ◽

Application Rate ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Growing Seasons ◽

Previous Crop

It is well established that nitrous oxide (N2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from agricultural land are influenced by the type of crop grown, the form and amount of nitrogen (N) applied, and the soil and climatic conditions under which the crop is grown. Crop rotation adds another dimension that is often overlooked, however, as the crop residue being decomposed and supplying soluble carbon to soil biota is usually from a different crop than the crop that is currently growing. Hence, the objective of this study was to compare the influence of both the crop grown and the residues from the preceding crop on N2O and CO2 emissions from soil. In particular, N2O and CO2 emissions from monoculture cropping of corn, soybean and winter wheat were compared with 2 -yr and 3-yr crop rotations (corn-soybean or corn-soybean-winter wheat). Each phase of the rotation was measured each year. Averaged over three growing seasons (from April to October), annual N2O emissions were about 3.1 to 5.1 times greater in monoculture corn (2.62 kg N ha-1) compared with either monoculture soybean (0.84 kg N ha-1) or monoculture winter wheat (0.51 kg N ha-1). This was due in part to the higher inorganic N levels in the soil resulting from the higher N application rate with corn (170 kg N ha-1) than winter wheat (83 kg N ha-1) or soybean (no N applied). Further, the previous crop also influenced the extent of N2O emissions in the current crop year. When corn followed corn, the average N2O emissions (2.62 kg N ha-1) were about twice as high as when corn followed soybean (1.34 kg N ha-1) and about 60% greater than when corn followed winter wheat (1.64 kg N ha-1). Monoculture winter wheat had about 45% greater CO2 emissions than monoculture corn or 51% greater emissions than monoculture soybean. In the corn phase, CO2 emissions were greater when the previous crop was winter wheat (5.03 t C ha-1) than when it was soybean (4.20 t C ha-1) or corn (3.91 t C ha-1). Hence, N2O and CO2 emissions from agricultural fields are influenced by both the current crop and the previous crop, and this should be accounted for in both estimates and forecasts of the emissions of these important greenhouse gases. Key words: Denitrification, soil respiration, rotation, crop residue

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Effects of asulam spraying on non-target ferns

Canadian Journal of Botany ◽

10.1139/b05-127 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 83 (12) ◽

pp. 1622-1629 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

J.K. Rowntree ◽

E. Sheffield

Keyword(s):

Experimental Evidence ◽

Application Rate ◽

Field Application ◽

Pteridium Aquilinum ◽

Buffer Zones ◽

Application Rates ◽

Highly Sensitive ◽

Fern Species ◽

Aerial Spraying ◽

Work Supports

The systemic herbicide asulam is used extensively to control the weedy fern bracken ( Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn). Other ferns were thought to be highly sensitive to asulam exposure, but there has been a dearth of experimental evidence. Eight fern species were exposed to asulam spray at three different application rates or a control of water. Asulam was applied at the recommended field application rate for bracken clearance, and at two further rates corresponding to 10 and 50 m downwind of an aerial spray event. Damage was assessed over two seasons. All ferns tested were severely damaged by exposure to the highest application rate, but sensitivity varied between species. Maximum damage occurred 1 year after spraying, and limited signs of recovery could be seen by the second season. The effects of adding the adjuvant Agral® to applications of asulam were tested on the threatened pteridophyte Pilularia globulifera L. No damage additional to that caused by exposure to asulam was observed. This work supports the view that 50 m buffer zones are sufficient to protect sensitive ferns from the effects of aerial spraying with asulam, provided that drift-reducing nozzles are used and the manufacturer’s application guidelines are observed.

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