Biochar Application: An effective Measure in Improving the Fertility Status, Carbon Stock and Aggregate Stability of Eroded Soil
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24925/turjaf.v11i8.1276-1284.5655Keywords:
carbon sequestration, modified clay ratio, pyrolysis, soil carbon stock, soil fertilityAbstract
In search for an efficient means of building up the carbon stock, improving the fertility levels and aggregate stability of tropical soils for optimum crop yield, a field study was carried using different biochars and comparing the effects with inorganic fertilizer. The biochars were palm bunch biochar (PBB), saw dust biochar (SDM) and rice mill husk biochar (RMHB). Treatments consisted of 10 t/ha palm bunch biochar + 0.25t/ha poultry manure (T1), 10 t/ha rice mill husk biochar + 0.25t/ha poultry manure (T2), 10 t/ha saw dust biochar + 0.25t/ha poultry manure (T3), 500kg/ha N.P.K 15:15:15 fertilizer + 0.25t/ha poultry manure (T4) and plot without biochar + 0.25t/ha poultry manure (T5) (control plot). These were replicated five times on experimental plots of 4m2 in a randomized complete block design. Maize (Zea mays) was used as a test crop and data obtained were statistically analyzed using analysis of variance and correlation. Soils amended with biochars significantly improved soil pH, organic carbon, exchangeable bases and base saturation than non biochar fertilized soils. Saw dust biochar increased soil carbon stock by 95.1% against NPK fertilizer plots and control. There was 19% decrease in soil bulk density and 17% increase in soil pH with application of palm bunch biochar. Amending soils with palm bunch biochar increased soil organic carbon by 51.5%. The biochars increased the values of critical level of soil organic matter, modifies clay ratio and reduced the value of clay flocculation index more than NPK fertilized soils or control. Among the treatments, rice mill husk biochar recorded the highest maize cob weight though not significant with palm bunch biochar. Therefore, applying biochars on eroded soil is an effective measure of improving the stability, soil carbon stock as well as enhancing higher maize yield than inorganic fertilizer.
References
Adekiya AO, Agbede TM., Aboyeji CM, Dunsin O, Simeon VT. 2018. Effects of biochar and poultry manure on soil characteristics and the yield of radish. Scientia Horticulturae, 243:457–463. doi: 10.1016/j.scienta.2018.08.048.
Batjes, N. H. 1996. Total carbon and nitrogen in the soil of the world. In: European Journal of Soil Science, 47: 151 – 163.
Barrow C. 2011. Biochar: potential for countering land degradation and for improving agriculture. Appl Geogr, 34:21–28. doi:10.1016/ j.apgeog.2011.09.008.
Brady N C, Weil RR. 1999. Nature and properties of soil. Twelfth Ed. Prentice Hall Inc., New Jersey.
Bremner JM, Yeomans JC. 1988. Laboratory Techniques for determination of different forms of nitrogen. In: J, R. Wilson (ed.). Advances in Nitrogen Cycling in Agricultural Ecosystem 339 – 414.
Brown RD, Brausnett B, Robinson D. 2004. Gridded northern American monthly snow depth and snow water equivalent for GCM evaluation. Atmosphere – Ocean, 41:1-14.
Chang KH, Wu RY, Chuang KC, Hsieh TF, Chung RS. 2010. Effects of chemical and organic fertilizers on the growth, flower quality and nutrient uptake of Anthurium andreanum, cultivated for cut flower production. Sci Hortic-Amsterdam, 125:434–441.doi: 10.1007/s10653-009-9253-6.
Christopher JA, Fitzgerald JD, Hipps NA. 2010. Potential mechanisms for achieving agricultural benefits from biochar application to temperate soils a review. J. Plant Soil, 337: 1-18. doi: 10.1016/j.apgeog.2011.09.008
FAO. 2006. Guidelines for soil description. Fourth edition, Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nation. pp97.
Gee GW, Or D. 2002. Particle-size analysis. In: Dane J. H., Topp G. C., editors. Methods of Soil Analysis. Part 4. Physical Methods. Madison, WI, USA: SSSA, Inc, 255–294.
Grossmans RB, Reinch TG. 2002. Bulk density and linear extensibility in methods of soil analysis. Part 4 Physical Methods. Dane, J.H and G.C Topp (eds.). Soil Science Society of Am. Book Series, No 5 ASA and SSA Madison, W. I, 201 – 228
Hendershot L, Lalande H, Duquette M. 1993. Soil reaction and exchangeable acidity. In: Soil Sampling and Methods of Soil Analysis. Carter, M.R. (Ed.), Canadian Soc. Soil Sci. Lewis Pub., London, 141 – 145.
Hseu ZY, Jien SH, Chien WH, Liou RC. 2014. Impacts of biochar on physical properties and erosion potential of a mudstone slopeland soil. The Scientific World Journal, p10. doi: 10.1155/2014/602197.602197
Igwe,CA, Obalum, SE. 2013. Microaggregate Stability of Tropical Soils and its Roles on Soil Erosion Hazard Prediction. In: Advances in Agrophysical Research, Grundas, S. and A. Stepniewski (Eds.). InTech Publisher, London, 175-192
Jia X., Yuan W., Ju X. Short report: effects of biochar addition on manure composting and associated N2O emissions. Journal of Sustainable Bioenergy Systems. 2015;5(2):56–61. doi: 10.4236/jsbs.2015.52005
Jien S.-H., Wang C.-S. Effects of biochar on soil properties and erosion potential in a highly weathered soil. Catena. 2013;110:225–233. doi: 10.1016/j.catena.2013.06.021.
Kätterer T., Roobroeck D., Andrén O., et al. Biochar addition persistently increased soil fertility and yields in maize-soybean rotations over 10 years in sub-humid regions of Kenya. Field Crops Research. 2019;235:18–26. doi: 10.1016/j.fcr.2019.02.015
Kusre1 BC, Parmita G, Kishan N. 2018. Prioritization of soil conservation measures using erodibility indices as criteria in Sikkim (India). Journ. Earth Syst. Sci, 127:81. doi.org/10.1007/s12040-018-0981-9.
Laird DA, Fleming P, Davis DD, Horton R, Wang B, Karlen DL. 2010. Impact of biochar amendments on the quality of a typ`ical Midwestern agricultural soil. Geoderma, 158(3-4):443–449. doi: 10.1016/j.geoderma.2010.05.013.
Lehmann J, Rondon M. 2006. Biochar soil management on highly weathered soils in the humid tropics. In: Uphoff N., Ball A. S., Fernandes E., et al., editors. Biological Approaches to Sustainable Soil Systems. Boca Raton, FA, UK: CRC Press, 517–530
Mclean ED. 1982. Soil pH and lime requirements in Page A.L. (Ed). Methods of soil analysis part 2. Chemical and microbiological properties (2nd Ed.). Agronomy series No. SSSA. Maidison, Wis. USA 199-234.
Mukherjee A, Lal R. 2013. Biochar impacts on soil physical properties and greenhouse gas emissions .J. Agronomy, 313- 339
Ndor E, Jayeoba O, Asadu C. 2015. Effect of biochar soil amendment on soil properties and yield of Sesame varieties in Lafia, Nigeria. American Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 9(4):1–8. doi: 10.9734/ajea/2015/19637.
Nelson DW, Sommers LE. 1982. Total organic carbon and matter. In: Page, A.L. (ed.). Methods of soil analysis. Part 2 chemical and microbiological properties (2nd ed.). Agronomy series No.9, ASA, SSA, Maidison, Wis.USA., pp: 570
Njoku C, Mbah CN, Igboji PO, Nwite JN, Chibuike CC, Uguru BN. 2015. Effect of biochar on selected soil physical properties and maize yield in an ultisol in Abakaliki southeastern Nigeria. Global Advanced Research Journal of Agricultural Science, 4(12):864–870. doi: 10.9734/ijpss/2015/12604.
Nyambo P, Taeni T, Chiduza C. 2018. Araya T. Effects of maize residue biochar amendments on soil properties and soil loss on acidic hutton soil. Agronomy, 8(11),256. doi: 10.3390/agronomy8110256.
Ojeniyi SO, Adeyemo AJ. 2008. Effect of poultry manure on soil physical and chemical properties,growth and grain yield of sorghum in Southwest, Nigeri. Am.-Eurasian J. Sustain. Agric.,2:72–77
Olaniya M, Bora PK, Das S. 2020. Soil erodibility indices under different land uses in Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya (India). Sci Rep, 10, 14986. doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-72070-y
Olarieta JR, Padro R, Masip G, Rodriguez-Ochoa R, Tello E. 2010. Formiguers, a historical system of soil fertilization (and biochar production?) Agriculture. Ecosystems and Environment, 140:27-33
Onwudike SU, Ugwuanyi AK, Nkwopara UN, Ahukaemere CM, Umeojiakor AO. 2019. Properties and aggregate stability of soils of dissimilar lithology under land use systems in Imo State, Nigeria. J. Applied Sci., 19: 459-465.
Onwudike SU, Uzoho BU, Ihem EE, Echeanyanwu GI. 2016. Evaluation of the fertility status of selected soils in Mbaise, Imo State southeastern Nigeria using nutrient index method. Agrosearch 16(1),79 - 90. DOI: 10.4314/agrosh.v16i1.7
Onwudike SU, Igbozurike CI, Ihem EE, Osisi FA, Ukah C. 2017. Quantification of Heavy Metals using Contamination and Pollution Index in Selected Refuse Dumpsites in Owerri, Imo State Southeast Nigeria. International Journal of Environment, Agriculture and Biotechnology (IJEAB), 2(3): 1202 – 1208. http://dx.doi.org/10.22161/ijeab/2.3.25
Reichenauer TG, Panamulla S, Subasinghe S, Wimmer B. 2009. Soil amendments and cultivar selection can improve rice yield in salt-influenced (tsunami-affected) paddy fields in Sri Lanka. Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 31(5), 573–579.
Steinbeiss S, Gleixner G, Antonietti M, 2009. Effect of biochar amendment on soil carbon balance and soil microbial activity. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 41(6),1301–1310. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2009.03.016
Tarafdar PK, Ray R. 2006. Effect of trees on improvement of physical environment and fertility in soils of West Bengal. Bull. Nat. Inst. Ecol. 16, 129–136 (2005). 30.
Thomas SC, Halim MA, Gale NV, Sujeeun L. 2018. Biochar enhancement of facilitation effects in agroforestry: Early growth and physiological responses in a maize-leucaena model system. Agrofor. Syst. DOI: 10.1007/s10457-018-0336-1
Wang J, Xiong Z, Kuzyakov Y. 2016. Biochar Stability in Soil: Meta-Analysis of Decomposition and Primingn Effects. GCB Bioenergy, 8:512-523. doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12266
Whalen J, Benslim H, Jiao Y, Sey B. 2008. Soil Organic Carbon and Nitrogen Pools as Affected by Compost Application to a Sandy-loam Soil in Quebec. Canadian Journal of Soil Science, 88:443-450.
Yamato M, Okimori Y, Wibowo IF, Anshori S, Ogawa M. 2006. Effects of the application of charred bark of acacia mangiumon the yield of maize, cowpea and peanut, and soil chemical properties in South Sumatra, Indonesia. Soil Science and Plant Nutrition. 52(4), 489–495.
Zeeshan, A., Muhammad, K and Muhammad . A 2014. Impact of Biochar on Soil Physical Properties. Scholarly Journal of Agricultural Science, 4(5), 280-284
Zhang A, Bian R, Pan G, Cui L. 2012. Effects of biochar amendment on soil quality, crop yield and greenhouse gas emission in a Chinese rice paddy: a field study of 2 consecutive rice growing cycles. Field Crops Research, 127: 153–160. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2011.11.020
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
