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Miscanthus Biochar had Limited Effects on Soil Physical Properties, Microbial Biomass, and Grain Yield in a Four-Year Field Experiment in Norway

Author

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  • Adam O’Toole

    (Department of Soil Quality and Climate Change, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Høgskoleveien 7, 1430 Ås, Norway
    Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), 1432 Ås, Norway)

  • Christophe Moni

    (Department of Soil Quality and Climate Change, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Høgskoleveien 7, 1430 Ås, Norway)

  • Simon Weldon

    (Department of Soil Quality and Climate Change, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Høgskoleveien 7, 1430 Ås, Norway)

  • Anne Schols

    (Soil Geography and Landscape Group, Wageningen University, 6700 Wageningen, The Netherlands)

  • Monique Carnol

    (Laboratory of Plant and Microbial Ecology, InBioS, Botany B22, Chemin de la Vallée 4, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium)

  • Bernard Bosman

    (Laboratory of Plant and Microbial Ecology, InBioS, Botany B22, Chemin de la Vallée 4, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium)

  • Daniel P. Rasse

    (Department of Soil Quality and Climate Change, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Høgskoleveien 7, 1430 Ås, Norway)

Abstract

The application of biochar to soils is a promising technique for increasing soil organic C and offsetting GHG emissions. However, large-scale adoption by farmers will likely require the proof of its utility to improve plant growth and soil quality. In this context, we conducted a four-year field experiment between October 2010 to October 2014 on a fertile silty clay loam Albeluvisol in Norway to assess the impact of biochar on soil physical properties, soil microbial biomass, and oat and barley yield. The following treatments were included: Control (soil), miscanthus biochar 8 t C ha −1 (BC8), miscanthus straw feedstock 8 t C ha −1 (MC8), and miscanthus biochar 25 t C ha −1 (BC25). Average volumetric water content at field capacity was significantly higher in BC25 when compared to the control due to changes in BD and total porosity. The biochar amendment had no effect on soil aggregate (2–6 mm) stability, pore size distribution, penetration resistance, soil microbial biomass C and N, and basal respiration. Biochar did not alter crop yields of oat and barley during the four growing seasons. In order to realize biochar’s climate mitigation potential, we suggest future research and development efforts should focus on improving the agronomic utility of biochar in engineered fertilizer and soil amendment products.

Suggested Citation

  • Adam O’Toole & Christophe Moni & Simon Weldon & Anne Schols & Monique Carnol & Bernard Bosman & Daniel P. Rasse, 2018. "Miscanthus Biochar had Limited Effects on Soil Physical Properties, Microbial Biomass, and Grain Yield in a Four-Year Field Experiment in Norway," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 8(11), pages 1-19, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:8:y:2018:i:11:p:171-:d:178723
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Johannes Lehmann & John Gaunt & Marco Rondon, 2006. "Bio-char Sequestration in Terrestrial Ecosystems – A Review," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 11(2), pages 395-419, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Moritz Von Cossel & Iris Lewandowski & Berien Elbersen & Igor Staritsky & Michiel Van Eupen & Yasir Iqbal & Stefan Mantel & Danilo Scordia & Giorgio Testa & Salvatore Luciano Cosentino & Oksana Maliar, 2019. "Marginal Agricultural Land Low-Input Systems for Biomass Production," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-25, August.
    2. Sadaf Hashmi & Uzma Younis & Subhan Danish & Tariq Muhammad Munir, 2019. "Pongamia pinnata L. Leaves Biochar Increased Growth and Pigments Syntheses in Pisum sativum L. Exposed to Nutritional Stress," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 9(7), pages 1-13, July.
    3. Muhammad Ayaz & Dalia Feizienė & Vita Tilvikienė & Kashif Akhtar & Urte Stulpinaitė & Rashid Iqbal, 2021. "Biochar Role in the Sustainability of Agriculture and Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-22, January.
    4. Priya Saini & Jason P. de Koff & Richard Link & Chris Robbins, 2021. "Soil Health Beneath Amended Switchgrass: Effects of Biochar and Nitrogen on Active Carbon and Wet Aggregate Stability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-13, June.

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    Keywords

    biochar; miscanthus; Norway;
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