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ARS Home » Plains Area » Temple, Texas » Grassland Soil and Water Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #325229
Title: Biochar and manure effects on soil biochemical properties under corn production

Author
item BERA, T - Indian Agricultural Research Institute
item Collins, Harold
item ALVA, A - Retired ARS Employee
item PURAKAYASTHA, T - Indian Agricultural Research Institute
item PATRA, A - Indian Agricultural Research Institute

Submitted to: Applied Soil Ecology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/18/2016
Publication Date: 7/30/2016
Publication URL: http://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/5491320
Citation: Bera, T., Collins, H.P., Alva, A.K., Purakayastha, T.J., Patra, A.K. 2016. Biochar and manure effects on soil biochemical properties under corn production. Applied Soil Ecology. 107:360-367.

Interpretive Summary: Biochar has been successfully used to store C in terrestrial ecosystems. Biochar improves soil fertility and crop productivity when applied to soil. Biochemical properties of soil are the most sensitive parameter to indicate the change in soil processes as a result of altered soil management practices. A soil quality index equation was developed to show the benefit of using biochar in agricultural systems. After biochar application, soil pH, organic C and microbial activity increased. Results showed that biochar had little effect on nitrogen availability in soil after application. Soil quality index was improved with the application of biochar.

Technical Abstract: Biochar (BC) is an aromatic carbon (C) rich compound that has been used to sequester carbon in terrestrial ecosystems. Biochar improves soil fertility and crop productivity when applied to soil. Biochemical properties of soil are the most sensitive parameter that directs change in soil processes as a result of altered soil management practices. A three year experiment was conducted growing maize crop under chemical fertilizers (NPK) and manure (DE) treatments without or with biochar (BC). Major soil biochemical properties: total organic carbon (TOC), total organic nitrogen (TON), C:N ratio, soil microbial biomass (MBC), Metabolic quotient (MQ), potential mineralizable nitrogen (PMN), fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis activity (FDA), acid phophatase activity (ACP), alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP), beta-glucosidase activity and urease activity were measured along with soil pH and mineral nitrogen content. A soil quality index equation was developed based on principal component analysis with linear scoring functions. After a 3 year crop cycle, NPK or DE with BC application increased soil pH, TOC, MBC, FDA, CN ratio, ALP and urease activity while decreased MQ and ACP activity. Results from our experiment showed that biochar had little effect on nitrogen dynamics in soil after 3 years of application. Soil quality index was improved with the application of NPK or DE with biochar compared to NPK or DE without biochar.