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Role of Nutrient-Enriched Biochar as a Soil Amendment during Maize Growth: Exploring Practical Alternatives to Recycle Agricultural Residuals and to Reduce Chemical Fertilizer Demand

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  • Simon Kizito

    (Key Laboratory of Clean Utilization Technology for Renewable Energy in Ministry of Agriculture, College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
    School of Forestry, Environment and Geographical Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Makerere University, Uganda P.O. Box 7062 Kampala, Uganda)

  • Hongzhen Luo

    (Key Laboratory of Clean Utilization Technology for Renewable Energy in Ministry of Agriculture, College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Jiaxin Lu

    (Key Laboratory of Clean Utilization Technology for Renewable Energy in Ministry of Agriculture, College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Hamidou Bah

    (Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China)

  • Renjie Dong

    (Key Laboratory of Clean Utilization Technology for Renewable Energy in Ministry of Agriculture, College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Shubiao Wu

    (Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies, Aarhus University, 8000C Aarhus, Denmark)

Abstract

Recycling and value-added utilization of agricultural residues through combining technologies such as anaerobic digestion and pyrolysis could double the recoverable energy, close the nutrient recycle loop, and ensure cleaner agricultural production. This study assessed the beneficial application of biochar to soil to recycle digestate nutrients, improve soil quality, and reduce conventional chemical fertilizer. The addition of digestate-enriched biochar improved soil quality as it provided higher soil organic matter (232%–514%) and macronutrients (110%–230%) as opposed to the unenriched biochar and control treatments. Maize grown in soil amended with digestate-enriched biochar showed a significantly higher biomass yield compared to the control and non-enriched biochar treatments but was slightly lower than yields from chemical fertilizer treatments. The slightly lower yield (20%–25%) achieved from digestate-enriched biochar was attributed to slower mineralization and release of the adsorbed nutrients in the short term. However, digestate-enriched biochar could in the long term become more beneficial in sustaining soil fertility through maintaining high soil organic matter and the gradual release of micronutrients compared to conventional chemical fertilizer. Positive effects on soil micronutrients, macronutrients, organic matter, and biomass yield indicates that enriched biochar could partly replace chemical fertilizers and promote organic farming in a circular economy concept.

Suggested Citation

  • Simon Kizito & Hongzhen Luo & Jiaxin Lu & Hamidou Bah & Renjie Dong & Shubiao Wu, 2019. "Role of Nutrient-Enriched Biochar as a Soil Amendment during Maize Growth: Exploring Practical Alternatives to Recycle Agricultural Residuals and to Reduce Chemical Fertilizer Demand," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-22, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:11:p:3211-:d:238498
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chen, Bin & Chen, Shaoqing, 2013. "Life cycle assessment of coupling household biogas production to agricultural industry: A case study of biogas-linked persimmon cultivation and processing system," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 707-716.
    2. Jonathan L. Deenik & Michael J. Cooney, 2016. "The Potential Benefits and Limitations of Corn Cob and Sewage Sludge Biochars in an Infertile Oxisol," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(2), pages 1-18, January.
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