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The residual impact of straw mulch and biochar amendments on soil physiochemical properties and yield of maize under rainfed system
Author(s) -
Khan Ismail,
Chen Taotao,
Farooq Muhammad,
Luan Ce,
Wu Qi,
wanning Dai,
Xu Su,
Lixue Wang
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.1002/agj2.20540
Subject(s) - biochar , agronomy , mulch , straw , cation exchange capacity , soil carbon , environmental science , soil water , soil quality , soil ph , carbon sequestration , slash and char , nutrient , soil organic matter , chemistry , soil science , carbon dioxide , biology , organic chemistry , pyrolysis
Global warming and climate alterations have adversely affected agricultural production systems. The application of biochar can help mitigate climate change impacts and enhance the production and quality of agriculture. The field experiments were conducted during 2018 and 2019 to evaluate the effects of straw mulch (0 and 8 tons ha −1 ) and biochar (0, 4, 12, and 36 tons ha −1 ) on soil temperature, soil pH, bulk density, electric conductivity, cation exchange capacity, soil organic carbon, soil nutrient status (available P, K, NO 3 − , and NH 4 + ) at various soil depth (10, 20, and 30 cm), and yield and yield‐related traits of rainfed maize ( Zea mays L.). The results showed that addition of biochar regulated the soil temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, cation exchange capacity, and increased the soil organic carbon, soil nutrient status (available P, K, NO 3 − , and NH 4 + ) compared to non‐biochar‐treated soils. In contrast, the higher amount of biochar (36 tons ha −1 ) application decreased the soil bulk density compared to control. However, the combined application of straw mulch and biochar improved the grain yield and yield contributing traits of maize. In conclusion, either straw mulch and biochar or combined straw mulch + biochar‐based soil management techniques regulate the temperature and physiochemical properties of soil. These improvements in soil properties increased the grain yield of rainfed maize and help to mitigate global warming.