scholarly journals Comparing Biochar-Swine Manure Mixture to Conventional Manure Impact on Soil Nutrient Availability and Plant Uptake—A Greenhouse Study

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 372
Author(s):  
Chumki Banik ◽  
Jacek A. Koziel ◽  
Darcy Bonds ◽  
Asheesh K. Singh ◽  
Mark A. Licht

The use of swine manure as a source of plant nutrients is one alternative to synthetic fertilizers. However, conventional manure application with >90% water and a low C:N ratio results in soil C loss to the atmosphere. Our hypothesis was to use biochar as a manure nutrient stabilizer that would slowly release nutrients to plants upon biochar-swine manure mixture application to soil. The objectives were to evaluate the impact of biochar-treated swine manure on soil total C, N, and plant-available macro- and micronutrients in greenhouse-cultivated corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). Neutral pH red oak (RO), highly alkaline autothermal corn stover (HAP), and mild acidic Fe-treated autothermal corn stover (HAPE) biomass were pyrolyzed to prepare biochars. Each biochar was surface-applied to swine manure at a 1:4 (biochar wt/manure wt) ratio to generate mixtures of manure and respective biochars (MRO, MHAP, and MHAPE). Conventional manure (M) control and manure-biochar mixtures were then applied to the soil at a recommended rate. Corn and soybean were grown under these controls and treatments (S, M, MRO, MHAP, and MHAPE) to evaluate the manure-biochar impact on soil quality, plant biomass yield, and nutrient uptake. Soil organic matter significantly (<0.05) increased in all manure-biochar treatments; however, no change in soil pH or total N was observed under any treatment. No difference in soil ammonium between treatments was identified. There was a significant decrease in soil Mehlich3 (M3) P and KCl extractable soil NO3− for all manure-biochar treatments compared to the conventional M. However, the plant biomass nutrient concentrations were not significantly different from control manure. Moreover, an increasing trend of plant total N and decreasing trend of P in the plant under all biochar-manure treatments than the controls were noted. This observation suggests that the presence of biochar is capable of influencing the soil N and P in such a way as not to lose those nutrients at the early growth stages of the plant. In general, no statistical difference in corn or soybean biomass yield and plant nutrient uptake for N, P, and K was observed. Interestingly, manure-biochar application to soil significantly diluted the M3 extractable soil Cu and Zn concentrations. The results attribute that manure-biochar has the potential to be a better soil amendment than conventional manure application to the soil.

Author(s):  
Chumki Banik ◽  
Jacek Koziel ◽  
Darcy Bonds ◽  
Asheesh Singh ◽  
Mark Licht

The use of swine manure as a source of plant nutrients is one alternative to synthetic fertilizers. However, conventional manure application with &gt;90% water and a low C:N ratio results in soil C loss to the atmosphere. Our hypothesis was to use biochar as a manure nutrient stabilizer that would slowly release nutrients to plants upon biochar-swine manure mixture application to soil. The objectives were to evaluate the impact of biochar-treated swine manure on soil total C, N, and plant-available macro and micronutrients in greenhouse-cultivated corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). Neutral pH red oak (RO), highly alkaline autothermal corn stover (HAP), and mild acidic Fe-treated autothermal corn stover (HAPE) biomass were pyrolyzed to prepare biochars. Each biochar was surface-applied to swine manure at a 1:4 (biochar wt/manure wt) ratio to generate mixtures of manure and respective biochars (MRO, MHAP, and MHAPE). Conventional manure (M) control and manure-biochar mixtures were then applied to the soil at a recommended rate. Corn and soybean were grown under these controls and treatments (S, M, MRO, MHAP, and MHAPE) to evaluate the manure-biochar impact on soil quality, plant biomass yield, and nutrient uptake. Soil OM significantly (&lt;0.05) increased in all manure-biochar treatments; however, no change in soil pH or N was observed under any treatment. No difference in soil ammonium between treatments was identified. There was a significant decrease in soil M3-P and soil NO3- for all manure-biochar treatments compared to the conventional M. However, the plant biomass nutrient concentrations were not significantly different from control manure. Moreover, an increasing trend of N and decreasing trend of P in the plant under all biochar-manure treatments than the controls were noted. This observation suggests that the presence of biochar is capable of influencing the soil N and P in such a way as not to lose those nutrients at the early growth stages of the plant. In general, no statistical difference in corn or soybean biomass yield and plant nutrient uptake for N, P, and K was observed. Interestingly, manure-biochar application to soil significantly diluted the M3-extractable soil Cu and Zn concentrations. The results attribute that manure-biochar has the potential to be a better soil amendment than conventional manure application to the soil.


Author(s):  
Chumki Banik ◽  
Jacek Koziel ◽  
Darcy Bonds ◽  
Asheesh Singh ◽  
Mark Licht

The use of swine manure as a source of plant nutrients is one alternative to synthetic fertilizers. However, conventional manure application with &gt;90% water and a low C:N ratio results in soil C loss to the atmosphere. Our hypothesis was to use biochar as a manure nutrient stabilizer that would slowly release nutrients to plants upon biochar-swine manure mixture application to soil. The objectives were to evaluate the impact of biochar-treated swine manure on soil total C, N, and plant-available macro and micronutrients in greenhouse-cultivated corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). Neutral pH red oak (RO), highly alkaline autothermal corn stover (HAP), and mild acidic Fe-treated autothermal corn stover (HAPE) biomass were pyrolyzed to prepare biochars. Each biochar was surface-applied to swine manure at a 1:4 (wt/wt) ratio to generate mixtures of manure and respective biochars (MRO, MHAP, and MHAPE). Conventional manure (M) control and manure-biochar mixtures were then applied to the soil at a recommended rate. Corn and soybean were grown under these controls and treatments (S, M, MRO, MHAP, and MHAPE) to evaluate the manure-biochar impact on soil quality, plant biomass yield, and nutrient uptake. Soil OM significantly (&lt;0.05) increased in all manure-biochar treatments; however, no change in soil pH or N was observed under any treatment. No difference in soil ammonium between treatments was identified. An increase (p&lt;0.05) in soil nitrate under corn was observed for conventional manure (M) treatment. There was a significant decrease in soil M3-P for all manure-biochar treatments compared to the conventional M, but that did not impact plant nutrient uptake. No statistical difference in corn or soybean biomass yield or plant nutrient uptake was observed in the short, two-month experiment. Interestingly, manure-biochar application to soil significantly diluted the M3-extractable soil Cu and Zn concentrations. The results attribute that manure-biochar has the potential to be a better soil amendment than conventional manure application to the soil.


2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (7) ◽  
pp. 696 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingjing Wu ◽  
Herbert J. Kronzucker ◽  
Weiming Shi

Elevated CO2 concentrations ([CO2]) in the atmosphere often increase photosynthetic rates and crop yields. However, the degree of the CO2 enhancement varies substantially among cultivars and with growth stage. Here, we examined the responses of two rice cultivars, Wuyunjing23 (WYJ) and IIyou084 (IIY), to two [CO2] (~400 vs ~600) and two nitrogen (N) provision conditions at five growth stages. In general, both seed yield and aboveground biomass were more responsive to elevated [CO2] in IIY than WYJ. However, the responses significantly changed at different N levels and growth stages. At the low N input, yield response to elevated [CO2] was negligible in both cultivars while, at the normal input, yield in IIY was 18.8% higher under elevated [CO2] than ambient [CO2]. Also, responses to elevated [CO2] significantly differed among various growth stages. Elevated [CO2] tended to increase aboveground plant biomass in both cultivars at the panicle initiation (PI) and the heading stages, but this effect was significant only in IIY by the mid-ripening and the grain maturity stages. In contrast, CO2 enhancement of root biomass only occurred in IIY. Elevated [CO2] increased both total N uptake and seed N in IIY but only increased seed N in WYJ, indicating that it enhanced N translocation to seeds in both cultivars but promoted plant N acquisition only in IIY. Root C accumulation and N uptake also exhibited stronger responses in IIY than in WYJ, particularly at the heading stage, which may play a pivotal role in seed filling and seed yield. Our results showed that the more effective use of CO2 in IIY compared with WYJ results in a strong response in root growth, nitrogen uptake, and in yield. These findings suggest that selection of [CO2]-responsive rice cultivars may help optimise the rice yield under future [CO2] scenarios.


HortScience ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 597-602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charis-Konstantina Kontopoulou ◽  
Sofia Giagkou ◽  
Efthalia Stathi ◽  
Dimitrios Savvas ◽  
Pietro P.M. Iannetta

To date, few attempts have been made to assess the impact of Rhizobium inoculation on N2 fixation and plant yield in soilless cultivations of common bean. In the present study, common bean (P. vulgaris L.) grown on an inert medium (pumice) was inoculated with either Rhizobium tropici CIAT899 or a commercial product containing a mix of N2-fixing bacteria, specifically rhizobia, and Azotobacter sp. The plants treated with both inoculants were supplied with nitrogen (N)-free (0% N) nutrient solution (NS) throughout the cropping period. A third treatment with non-inoculated plants, which were supplied with a standard (100% N) NS was applied as a control. Inoculation with R. tropici significantly increased the total number of root nodules (80 nodules per plant on average) in comparison with the other two treatments (nine nodules per plant on average). The supply of N-free NS restricted markedly both total plant biomass and pod yield, whereas the inoculation with R. tropici mitigated this effect. The aboveground tissues of plants fed with N-free NS contained appreciably less N than those fed with standard solution when they were inoculated with the commercial inoculant (1.7 vs. 29 mg·g−1 dry weight, respectively). The shoot total N concentration 45, 65, and 90 days after transplanting (32, 31, and 29 mg·g−1 dry weight, respectively) was not reduced by the supply of N-free NS when the plants were inoculated with R. tropici. This finding indicates that, at least from the first sampling date onward, the tissue N level was not a limiting factor for growth and yield in plants inoculated with R. tropici. The supply of N-free NS restricted appreciably the potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), and zinc (Zn) levels in the aboveground plant biomass, regardless of inoculation treatment. The impaired growth and yield in plants fed with N-free NS and inoculated with R. tropici is ascribed to both a N shortage at early growth stages and a reduced K+ uptake aimed at electrochemically balancing the anion-to-cation uptake ratio under conditions of no external NO3– supply.


2016 ◽  
Vol 96 (4) ◽  
pp. 400-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.B. Syuhada ◽  
J. Shamshuddin ◽  
C.I. Fauziah ◽  
A.B. Rosenani ◽  
A. Arifin

A study was conducted to investigate the impact of biochar amendment on chemical properties and corn nutrient uptake in a sandy Podzol soil. Four rates of biochar (0, 5, 10, and 15 g kg−1) and two rates of inorganic fertilizer (0 and local recommendation rate for corn) were randomly applied to a completely randomized design with four replicates. Corn was grown for 45 d in a glasshouse using sandy Podzol. The increase in pH of the soil was concomitant with a decrease of exchangeable Al. The fertilized soil significantly increased total N, with a concomitant decrease in soil pH due to a N nitrification. Positive changes did occur in the soil due to biochar application, leading to a significant increase in dry matter yield and corn height. Corn N and K uptakes were significantly increased by the addition of biochar, but the same was not true for Ca and Mg. However, it was found that the concentrations of N, Ca, and Mg in the corn tissue were still lower than their critical level. Our results demonstrate that application of biochar alone is not able to supply enough nutrients for the healthy growth of corn.


2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. C. Abbott ◽  
J. M. Sarver ◽  
J. Gore ◽  
D. Cook ◽  
A. Catchot ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Defoliation of peanut by foliage-feeding insects reduces photosynthetic capacity, and in turn, may reduce pod yield, particularly when canopy loss occurs at critical growth stages, i.e., 40 or 80 d after full plant emergence (DAE). The objective of this research was to determine the impact of peanut defoliation levels of 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100%, at 40 or 80 DAE on canopy height and width, plant biomass, pod grade and yield, and economic injury level. Research was conducted in Stoneville and Starkville MS in 2015 and 2016. The experimental design was a six (defoliation level) by two (defoliation timing) factorial arranged in a randomized complete block. Up to four wk after defoliation, canopy height, canopy width, and plant biomass were negatively correlated with defoliation level regardless of defoliation timing (40 and 80 DAE). Neither defoliation level nor timing had an effect on peanut grade or maturity. Similarly, defoliation at 40 DAE did not affect pod yield but when damage occurred 80 DAE, pod yield was reduced 18.6 kg/ha for every 1% increase in defoliation. Considering average crop value and insect control costs, the economic injury for peanut defoliation at 80 DAE is 5% defoliation. These data indicate that control of canopy-feeding insects is only economically viable when defoliation exceeds 5% defoliation at 80 DAE.


Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 1365
Author(s):  
Lucia Nemček ◽  
Martin Šebesta ◽  
Martin Urík ◽  
Marek Bujdoš ◽  
Edmund Dobročka ◽  
...  

Zinc is among the most in-demand metals in the world which also means that a considerable amount of this element is released to the environment each year as a result of human activities. A pot experiment was conducted to study the impact of low- and high-dose zinc amendments on plant growth and biomass yield, with Calcic Chernozem as a growing medium and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) as a model plant. The distribution of zinc in various plant parts was also investigated. Zn (II) was added in powder as bulk ZnO and in solution as ZnO nanoparticles and ZnSO4 in two dosages (3 and 30 mmol kg−1 soil) prior to planting. The plants were harvested after 10 days of growth. The three sets of data were taken under identical experimental conditions. The application of zinc in aqueous solution and in particulate form (having particle sizes in the range of <100 nm to >500 nm) at concentration of 3 and 30 mmol Zn kg−1 to the soil resulted in decreased growth (root length, shoot length) and biomass yield; the only exception was the addition of 30 mmol Zn kg−1 in the form of bulk ZnO, which had a positive effect on the root growth. The dry weight reduction (sprout biomass) was lowest in plants grown in soil treated with dissolved zinc. There were no statistically significant changes in the content of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll, although flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) analysis indicated that plants bioaccumulated the zinc applied. This implies that the transport of zinc into the above-ground plant parts is controlled by the presence of effective mechanical and physiological barriers in roots. Crop performance under zinc stress in relation to biomass production and the growth of roots and shoots is also partly a reflection of the effects of soil properties. Our findings emphasize the importance of considering plant-soil interactions in research of potential toxicity and bioavailability of zinc in the environment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 198-208
Author(s):  
V. Vijayalakshmi ◽  
S. Pradeep ◽  
H. Manjunatha ◽  
V. Krishna ◽  
V. Jyothi

Objective: The inoculants, mainly nitrogen fixers and phosphate solubilizing microbes, have an influence on plant growth attributes. The current study was conducted to assess the fertilizing activity of A. chroocaccum and B. megaterium strains on growth, yield parameters and nutrient uptake of Sorghum bicolor. Methods: The isolation and identification of the nitrogen-fixing bacterium- A. chroocaccum and phosphate solubilizing microbe- B. megaterium and the growth and yield parameters of Sorghum bicolor as well as NPK uptake levels were studied. Results: A. chroocaccum and B. megaterium exhibited the proliferation of microbial population in soil by synergistic interaction with plants, and the application increased the availability of NPK in the soil after harvest of the crop. These beneficial inoculants are also known to help in the uptake of some other nutrients. The maximum beneficial aspects of the plant were noticed in the plants inoculated with 100% Recommended Dose of Fertilizer (RDF)+ A. chroocaccum+ B. megaterium, and the least was noticed in the control plants at all growth stages and at the time of harvest. Conclusion: From this study, it can be concluded that the beneficial effect of A. chroocaccum and B. megaterium is observed in sorghum crop with improved yield and nutrient uptake. Therefore, this species can be used extensively for future inoculation of the sorghum crop for better growth and development and for good returns in an ecological way.


2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronley C. Canatoy ◽  
Nonilona P. Daquiado

Abstract Background Hardsetting soils are considered problem soils due to its behavior of becoming hard and unbearable to cultivate not until rewetted. Few investigations were conducted in this kind of problem soil; hence, information about biomass yield and nutrient uptake is still elusive. This study investigated the impact of potentially hardsetting soil on the biomass yield and nutrient uptake of sweet corn under no-tillage cultivation system with varying fertilization treatments. Results The application of full NPK + 1 Mg ha−1 VC increased stover and grain yield by 26–106% and 11–135%, respectively. Approximately 64% and 112% of sweet corn stover and grain yield increased when treated with full NPK. Highly significant quadratic relationship (P < 0.001) was revealed between total biomass yield and nutrient uptake of sweet corn, implying that 98–99% of the variation in total biomass could be elucidated by its nutrient uptake. Further, this indicated the suitability of nutrient uptake function that could be used as an estimate in the progression of total biomass accumulation. The application of full NPK showed statistically significant (P < 0.001) nitrogen and phosphorus use efficiency across treatments. The soil in the experimental area was a potentially hardsetting soil due to its rapid soil strength development at least 4 days from wetting. This implies that with continued use, proper soil management must be implemented like reduced tillage and organic matter application to facilitate structure formation and binding of soil particles by labile fraction in organic matter. Conclusion Application of organic amendment in combination with inorganic fertilizer could be a sustainable production strategy on sweet corn production system in potentially hardsetting soil under no tillage through enhanced nutrient uptake and biomass accumulation.


2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 165-169
Author(s):  
M. Thirunavukkarasu ◽  
T. Balaji

Organic manure from different sources could be an effective substitute of chemical fertilizers. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted to study the impact of various sources of organic manures viz., sole application of composted pressmud, vermicompost, sewage sludge and farmyard manure and its combination with various levels of inorganic fertilizers on growth attributes, biomass yield, yield attributes, secondary nutrient uptake and its available status and quality parameters of bhendi (A. esculentus (L.) Moench). The results indicated that application of pressmud @ 5 t ha-1 with 50 per cent recommended dose of fertilizer had recorded the highest calcium and magnesium uptake of 30.9 and 15.4 kg ha-1 respectively and biomass yield of 2233.2 kg ha-1, In comparison to control, the increases in biomass yield and calcium and magnesium uptake were 20 and 51 and 136% higher under the same set of treatment combinations . The results revealed that treatment received with pressmud application @ 5 t ha-1 along with 50 per cent recommended dose of fertilizers registered highest available calcium and magnesium content of 0.14 and 0.28% respectively. In addition to that, there was an improvement in growth parameters such as plant height and number of branches plant-1 at all the growth stages of crop and also quality attributes viz., crude fibre (10.2%) and mucilage content (1.56%) were recorded significantly highest by same treatment compared to control (15.0 and 1.2% respectively). Among the organics, pressmud based inorganic fertilizers application was suitable for higher biomass yield, improvement in quality parameters and also maintaining the fertility status of the secondary nutrients in soil.


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