Güereña, D. and Lehmann, J. and Hanley, K. and Enders, A. and Hyland, C. and Riha, S. (2012) Nitrogen dynamics following field application of biochar in a temperate North American maize-based production system. Plant and Soil. pp. 1-16.
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Abstract
Background and aims Biochar additions to tropical soils have been shown to reduce N leaching and increase N use efficiency. No studies exist verifying reduced N leaching in field experiments on temperate agricultural soils or identifying the mechanism for N retention. Methods Biochar derived from maize stover was applied to a maize cropping system in central New York State at rates of 0, 1, 3, 12, and 30 t ha-1 in 2007. Secondary N fertilizer was added at 100, 90, 70, and 50 % of the recommended rate (108 kg N ha-1). Nitrogen fertilizer enriched with 15 N was applied in 2009 to the 0 and 12 t ha-1 of biochar at 100 and 50 % secondary N application. Results Maize yield and plant N uptake did not change with biochar additions (p > 0.05; n = 3). Less N (by 82 %; p < 0.05) was lost after biochar application through leaching only at 100 % N fertilization. The reason for an observed 140 % greater retention of applied 15 N in the topsoil may have been the incorporation of added 15 N into microbial biomass which increased approximately three-fold which warrants further research. The low leaching of applied fertilizer 15 N (0.42 % of applied N; p < 0.05) and comparatively high recovery of applied 15 N in the soil (39 %) after biochar additions after one cropping season may also indicate greater overall N retention through lower gaseous or erosion N losses with biochar. Conclusions Addition of biochar to fertile soil in a temperate climate did not improve crop growth or N use efficiency, but increased retention of fertilizer N in the topsoil
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Activated carbon – Biochar – Charcoal – Leaching – Maize – Nitrogen |
| Author Affiliation: | Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA |
| Subjects: | Plant Production Plant Protection |
| Divisions: | General Maize |
| Depositing User: | Mr. SanatKumar Behera |
| Date Deposited: | 03 Aug 2012 15:10 |
| Last Modified: | 03 Aug 2012 15:12 |
| Official URL: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11104-012-1383-4 |
| URI: | http://eprints.icrisat.ac.in/id/eprint/7171 |
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