Journal
JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE AGRICULTURE
Volume 13, Issue 3, Pages 525-532Publisher
ELSEVIER SCI LTD
DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(13)60708-X
Keywords
biochar; calcareous soil; crop yield; soil pH; long-term effect
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Funding
- National Natural Science Foundation of China [41171211]
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It remains unclear whether biochar applications to calcareous soils can improve soil fertility and crop yield. A long-term field experiment was established in 2009 so as to determine the effect of biochar on crop yield and soil properties in a calcareous soil. Five treatments were: 1) straw incorporation; 2) straw incorporation with inorganic fertilizer; 3), 4) and 5) straw incorporation with inorganic fertilizer, and biochar at 30, 60, and 90 t ha(-1), respectively. The annual yield of either winter wheat or summer maize was not increased significantly following biochar application, whereas the cumulative yield over the first 4 growing seasons was significantly increased. Soil pH, measured in situ, was increased by a maximum of 0.35 units after 2 yr following biochar application. After 3 yr, soil bulk density significantly decreased while soil water holding capacity increased with adding biochar of 90 t ha(-1). Alkaline hydrolysable N decreased but exchangeable K increased due to biochar addition. Olsen-P did not change compared to the treatment without biochar. The results suggested that biochar could be used in calcareous soils without yield loss or significant impacts on nutrient availability.
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