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Effect of biochar on nutrient retention and nectarine tree performance: A three‐year field trial
Author(s) -
Sorrenti Giovambattista,
Ventura Maurizio,
Toselli Moreno
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of plant nutrition and soil science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.644
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1522-2624
pISSN - 1436-8730
DOI - 10.1002/jpln.201500497
Subject(s) - biochar , loam , orchard , chemistry , agronomy , cation exchange capacity , lysimeter , nutrient , leaching (pedology) , soil ph , phosphorus , potassium , nitrogen , soil water , environmental science , soil science , biology , organic chemistry , pyrolysis
We performed a series of experiments in controlled conditions to assess the potential of hardwood‐derived biochar either as a source or as a removing additive of macronutrients [nitrate‐nitrogen (NO 3 ‐N), ammonium‐N (NH 4 ‐N), potassium (K), phosphorus (P), and magnesium (Mg)] in solution. In addition, a 3‐year field trial was carried out in a commercial nectarine orchard to evaluate the effect of increasing soil‐applied biochar rates on tree nutritional status, yield, fruit quality, soil pH, soil NO 3 ‐N, and NH 4 ‐N concentration and soil water content. In controlled conditions, the concentrations of K, P, Mg, and NH 4 ‐N in solution were significantly increased and positively correlated with biochar rates. Biochar was ineffective in removing NO 3 ‐N, K, P, and Mg from enriched solutions, while at the rate of 40 g L −1 biochar removed almost 52% of the initial NH 4 ‐N concentration. In a mature, irrigated, fertilized, commercial nectarine orchard (Big Top/GF677) on a sandy‐loam soil in the Italian Po Valley, soil‐applied biochar at the rates of 5, 15, and 30 t ha −1 were effective in reducing the leached amount of NH 4 ‐N in the top 0.25 m soil layer over 13 months, as estimated by ion exchange resin lysimeters. Nevertheless, independent of the rate, biochar did not affect soil pH, soil N mineral availability, soil moisture, tree nutritional status, yield, and fruit quality. We conclude that, unless an evident constraint is identified, in non‐limiting conditions ( e.g ., water availability and soil fertility), potential benefits from biochar application in commercial orchards are hidden or negligible.