Open AccessBiochar Application and Soil Carbon Stocks in Semi-Arid Vertisols
Author(s) -
H. Biswas,
M. Prabhavathi,
Suresh Kumar,
S.L. Patil,
A.S. Morade,
P. Mohan Kumar,
B.N. Sheshardri,
K.S. Rao
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
agropedology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 0971-1570
DOI - 10.47114/j.agroped.2021.dec10
Subject(s) - biochar , soil carbon , sorghum , vertisol , environmental science , agronomy , carbon sequestration , soil water , slash and char , soil organic matter , soil science , chemistry , carbon dioxide , biology , pyrolysis , organic chemistry
Biochar application as a soil amendment has improved crop productivity, soil properties, and long-term carbon (C) storage in soils. In order to ascertain these positive effects of biochar, a six-year study was conducted on deep black soil in a typical semi-arid setup of Karnataka. Biochar (prepared from Prosopis juliflora¬) was applied and mixed at rates ranging from 2.5 to 20 t ha-1 to rabi sorghum under rainfed conditions before the start of the study. The six treatment combinations were evaluated through their effects on run-off, soil loss, sorghum yields, soil properties, and increase in soil organic carbon (SOC) stock at the end of the study period. Sorghum yield increased with the levels of biochar application, with yields under 10 and 20 t ha-1 levels of addition being statistically at par. Soil loss was not significantly affected by biochar application, and so were most of the soil properties. However, there was an increase in SOC stock to the tune of 0.28 and 0.43 t ha-1y-1 through biochar application @ 10 and 20 t ha-1, respectively, pointing at the C sequestration potential of biochar. Increased crop yields by applying biochar can be attributed to enhanced soil aggregation and water holding capacity and increased nutrient cycling and uptake by plant roots.