Open AccessTobacco Stalk Biochar Application Improves Soil Fertility and Flue-Cured Tobacco Growth
Author(s) -
Yán Li
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
international journal of agriculture and biology/international journal of agriculture and biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.271
H-Index - 39
eISSN - 1814-9596
pISSN - 1560-8530
DOI - 10.17957/ijab/15.1710
Subject(s) - biochar , soil fertility , stalk , curing of tobacco , agronomy , nutrient , soil quality , environmental science , biology , soil water , horticulture , chemistry , pyrolysis , soil science , ecology , organic chemistry
Tobacco stalks the main agricultural waste after tobacco harvest, are generally discarded directly or returned to the field after burning. They are rarely processed into biochar, a product that could benefit soil properties. To explore the effects of applying tobacco stalk biochar on soil fertility and tobacco production, tobacco was grown at six biochar application levels (0, 3,000, 4,500, 6,000, 9,000 and 12,000 kg ha-1) in three different sites (Jianchuan, Midu and Eryuan) in Dali County, Yunnan Province. Biochar decreased soil bulk density, increased large and small soil aggregate proportion, and increased soil organic carbon and nitrogen stocks. Biochar also improved the yield and quality of tobacco leaves at all sites. Biochar rates of 3,000, 4,500 and 6,000 kg ha-1 linearly improved soil fertility and agronomic traits while application rate of biochar exceeding 9,000 kg ha-1reduced plant growth. Moreover, the optimum biochar application rates for better plant height, stem diameter, maximum leaf length and leaf width, yield, and average price differed by site. These rates were: 6,000 kg ha-1(Midu), 3,000 kg ha-1(Eryuan) and4,500 kg ha-1(Jianchuan), respectively. In conclusion, appropriate application of biochar could improve soil nutrients and contribute to tobacco growth in different soil nutrient conditions.© 2021 Friends Science Publishers