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Influence of Biochar on Nitrogen Fractions in a Coastal Plain Soil
Author(s) -
Schomberg Harry H.,
Gaskin Julia W.,
Harris Keith,
Das K.C.,
Novak Jeff M.,
Busscher Warren J.,
Watts Don W.,
Woodroof Robin H.,
Lima Isabel M.,
Ahmedna Mohamed,
Rehrah Djaafar,
Xing Baoshan
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/jeq2011.0133
Subject(s) - biochar , poultry litter , loam , leaching (pedology) , chemistry , panicum virgatum , agronomy , charcoal , pyrolysis , volatilisation , environmental chemistry , environmental science , soil water , nutrient , bioenergy , biofuel , biology , soil science , ecology , organic chemistry
Interest in the use of biochar from pyrolysis of biomass to sequester C and improve soil productivity has increased; however, variability in physical and chemical characteristics raises concerns about effects on soil processes. Of particular concern is the effect of biochar on soil N dynamics. The effect of biochar on N dynamics was evaluated in a Norfolk loamy sand with and without NH 4 NO 3 . High‐temperature (HT) (≥500°C) and low‐temperature (LT) (≤400°C) biochars from peanut hull ( Arachis hypogaea L.), pecan shell ( Carya illinoinensis Wangenh. K. Koch), poultry litter ( Gallus gallus domesticus ), and switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum L.) and a fast pyrolysis hardwood biochar (450–600°C) were evaluated. Changes in inorganic, mineralizable, resistant, and recalcitrant N fractions were determined after a 127‐d incubation that included four leaching events. After 127 d, little evidence of increased inorganic N retention was found for any biochar treatments. The mineralizable N fraction did not increase, indicating that biochar addition did not stimulate microbial biomass. Decreases in the resistant N fraction were associated with the high pH and high ash biochars. Unidentified losses of N were observed with HT pecan shell, HT peanut hull, and HT and LT poultry litter biochars that had high pH and ash contents. Volatilization of N as NH 3 in the presence of these biochars was confirmed in a separate short‐term laboratory experiment. The observed responses to different biochars illustrate the need to characterize biochar quality and match it to soil type and land use.