Effect of alkaline and chemically engineered biochar on soil properties and phosphorus bioavailability in maize. (March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Qayyum, Muhammad Farooq; Haider, Ghulam; Iqbal, Maria; Hameed, Sajida; Ahmad, Niaz; Rehman, Muhammad Zia ur; Majeed, Abdul; Rizwan, Muhammad; Ali, Shafaqat
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 266(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Subjects: Biochar -- Acidification -- Olson's P -- Maize; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128980
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: Phosphorous (P) fixation in alkaline calcareous soils is a serious concern worldwide and acidified-biochar application has been proposed to improve the agronomic benefits of applied P. The present study aims to improve understanding of P transformation process in an alkaline soil following different biochar amendments (rice-husk biochar (RHB), sugarcane-bagasse biochar (SWB) and wheat-straw biochar (WSB)), chemically engineered (acidification with 1 N HCl or washing with distilled water (pristine biochar)) along with or without P at 60 mg kg −1 . A pot experiment was conducted with three biochars (RHB, SWB, WSB) and control, two chemical modifications (acidic and pristine), and two P-levels (without or with P). A pot study by growing spring maize and a parallel incubation study were done to test the treatment effects on P transformation. Results demonstrated that acidified SBC and WSB increased the plant P uptake and dry-matter yield by 40% and 29.7%, respectively, with P-supply. Both pristine or acidified RHB produced 80.5% and 110.7%, more root dry-matter, respectively, compared to respective controls without P. Non-acidified WSB along with P showed significantly higher Olson's P in incubation study. While in case of acidification along with P addition, RHB exhibited greater P availability, but it was inconsistent at different times during incubation. It can be concluded that acidified biochar amendments have potential to improve P management with inconsistent results. It is difficult to rule out that acidification of biochars is a pre-requisite for alkaline soils for P improvement. Further research is needed to explore site-specific P management for sustainable crop production. Highlights: Effect of alkaline and chemically engineered biochars on pbioavailability and maize growth in alkaline calcareous soil was tested. Acidified biochars had no negative effect on soil conditions and plant growth, rather increased the biomass. Results of incubation experiment showed higher bioavailable P with alkaline biochars instead of acidified biochars.