Low Pyrolysis Temperature Biochar Improves Growth and Nutrient Availability of Maize on Typic Calciargid. Issue 1 (2nd January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Naeem, Muhammad Asif; Khalid, Muhammad; Ahmad, Zahoor; Naveed, Muhammad
• Is Part Of: Communications in soil science and plant analysis. Volume 47:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 41
• Page End: 51
• Publication Date: 2016-01-02
• Subjects: Biochar -- growth -- nutrients availability -- pyrolysis temperature; Soil science -- Periodicals; Plants -- Chemical analysis -- Periodicals; Agricultural chemistry -- Periodicals; 631.405
• DOI: 10.1080/00103624.2015.1104340
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0010-3624

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of biochars, produced from maize straw at different temperatures (300, 400, and 500 °C), on growth of maize. Maximum cation exchange capacity (CEC) (106 cmolc kg ‒1 ) of biochar was observed at 400 °C. The pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and carbon content of biochars significantly increased with increasing temperature, and maximum pH (9.8), EC (3.0 dS m ‒1 ), and carbon content (607 g kg ‒1 ) were observed at 500 °C. Concentration of phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) significantly increased with increasing temperature, while of nitrogen (N) decreased. Ammonium bicarbonate–diethylene triamine penta acetic acid (AB-DTPA)–extractable nutrients were decreased with increasing pyrolysis temperature. Shoot and root dry matter of maize increased significantly with application of biochar produced at 300 and 400 °C and decreased significantly at 500 °C. Maximum shoot and root dry matter of maize was obtained at biochar produced at 300 °C. Phosphorus and K concentration in shoots and roots increased with biochar, and it was significantly more with fertilizer application. In contrast to P, shoot and root K concentration increased significantly with increasing pyrolysis temperature. The results of this study indicated that application of biochar produced at low pyrolysis temperature may be a practical approach to improve crop growth.