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Chicken Manure Biochar as Liming and Nutrient Source for Acid Appalachian Soil
Author(s) -
Hass Amir,
Gonzalez Javier M.,
Lima Isabel M.,
Godwin Harry W.,
Halvorson Jonathan J.,
Boyer Douglas G.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq2011.0124
Subject(s) - biochar , chemistry , soil ph , soil water , lime , chicken manure , loam , wood ash , agronomy , nutrient , manure , environmental chemistry , soil conditioner , fertilizer , charcoal , pyrolysis , environmental science , soil science , geology , paleontology , organic chemistry , biology
Acid weathered soils often require lime and fertilizer application to overcome nutrient deficiencies and metal toxicity to increase soil productivity. Slow‐pyrolysis chicken manure biochars, produced at 350 and 700°C with and without subsequent steam activation, were evaluated in an incubation study as soil amendments for a representative acid and highly weathered soil from Appalachia. Biochars were mixed at 5, 10, 20, and 40 g kg −1 into a Gilpin soil (fine‐loamy, mixed, active, mesic Typic Hapludult) and incubated in a climate‐controlled chamber for 8 wk, along with a nonamended control and soil amended with agronomic dolomitic lime (AgLime). At the end of the incubation, soil pH, nutrient availability (by Mehlich‐3 and ammonium bicarbonate diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid [AB‐DTPA] extractions), and soil leachate composition were evaluated. Biochar effect on soil pH was process‐ and rate‐dependent. Biochar increased soil pH from 4.8 to 6.6 at the high application rate (40 g kg −1 ), but was less effective than AgLime. Biochar produced at 350°C without activation had the least effect on soil pH. Biochar increased soil Mehlich‐3 extractable micro‐ and macronutrients. On the basis of unit element applied, increase in pyrolysis temperature and biochar activation decreased availability of K, P, and S compared to nonactivated biochar produced at 350°C. Activated biochars reduced AB‐DTPA extractable Al and Cd more than AgLime. Biochar did not increase NO 3 − in leachate, but increased dissolved organic carbon, total N and P, PO 4 3− , SO 4 2− , and K at high application rate (40 g kg −1 ). Risks of elevated levels of dissolved P may limit chicken manure biochar application rate. Applied at low rates, these biochars provide added nutritional value with low adverse impact on leachate composition.