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Investigating the Influence of Biochar Amendment on the Physicochemical Properties of Podzolic Soil

Author

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  • Ratnajit Saha

    (Environmental Science Program, Faculty of Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL A1B 3X7, Canada)

  • Lakshman Galagedara

    (Environmental Science Program, Faculty of Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL A1B 3X7, Canada
    School of Science and the Environment, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Corner Brook, NL A2H 5G4, Canada)

  • Raymond Thomas

    (School of Science and the Environment, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Corner Brook, NL A2H 5G4, Canada)

  • Muhammad Nadeem

    (School of Science and the Environment, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Corner Brook, NL A2H 5G4, Canada)

  • Kelly Hawboldt

    (Department of Process Engineering, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL A1C 5S7, Canada)

Abstract

Research into biochar, as an amendment to soil, has increased over the last decade. However, there is still much to understand regarding the effects of biochar type and rates on the physicochemical properties of different soil types. This study aimed to investigate the effects of biochar application on the physicochemical properties of podzolic soils. Soil samples were collected from the research site in Pasadena, Newfoundland, Canada. Experimental treatments consisted of three types of soils (topsoil, E-horizon soil and mixed soil (topsoil 2: E-horizon soil 1)), two biochar types (granular and powder) and four biochar application rates (0%, 0.5%, 1% and 2% on a weight basis). Ten physicochemical parameters (bulk density (BD), porosity, field capacity (FC), plant available water (PAW), water repellency (WR), electrical conductivity (EC), pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), total carbon (TC), and nitrogen (N)) were investigated through a total of 72 experimental units. Biochar morphological structure and pore size distribution were examined using a scanning electron microscope, whereas specific surface area was assessed by the Brunauer−Emmett−Teller method. The result indicated that the E-horizon soil was highly acidic compared to control (topsoil) and mixed soils. A significant difference was observed between the control and 2% biochar amendment in all three soil mixtures tested in this experiment. Biochar amendments significantly reduced the soil BD (E-horizon: 1.40–1.25 > mixed soil: 1.34–1.21 > topsoil: 1.31–1.18 g cm −3 ), increased the CEC (mixed soil: 2.83–3.61 > topsoil: 2.61–2.70 > E-horizon: 1.40–1.25 cmol kg −1 ) and total C (topsoil: 2.40–2.41 > mixed soil: 1.74–1.75 > E-horizon: 0.43–0.44%). Water drop penetration tests showed increased WR with increasing biochar doses from 0 to 2% (topsoil: 2.33–4.00 > mixed soil: 2.33–3.33 > E-horizon: 4.00–4.67 s), and all the biochar–soil combinations were classified as slightly-repellent. We found significant effects of biochar application on soil water retention. Porosity increased by 2.8%, FC by 10%, and PAW by 12.9% when the soil was treated with powdered biochar. Additionally, we examined the temporal effect of biochar (0 to 2% doses) on pH and EC and observed an increase in pH (4.3–5.5) and EC (0.0–0.20 dS/m) every day from day 1–day 7. Collectively the study findings suggest 2% powder biochar application rate is the best combination to improve the physicochemical properties of the tested mixed podzolic soil. Granular and powdered biochar was found to be hydrophobic and hydrophilic, respectively. These findings could be helpful to better understand the use of biochar for improving the physicochemical properties of podzolic soils when used for agricultural practices in boreal ecosystems.

Suggested Citation

  • Ratnajit Saha & Lakshman Galagedara & Raymond Thomas & Muhammad Nadeem & Kelly Hawboldt, 2020. "Investigating the Influence of Biochar Amendment on the Physicochemical Properties of Podzolic Soil," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-29, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:10:y:2020:i:10:p:471-:d:427049
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dominic Woolf & James E. Amonette & F. Alayne Street-Perrott & Johannes Lehmann & Stephen Joseph, 2010. "Sustainable biochar to mitigate global climate change," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 1(1), pages 1-9, December.
    2. Marli Vermooten & Muhammad Nadeem & Mumtaz Cheema & Raymond Thomas & Lakshman Galagedara, 2019. "Temporal Effects of Biochar and Dairy Manure on Physicochemical Properties of Podzol: Case from a Silage-Corn Production Trial in Boreal Climate," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-14, August.
    3. Dinushika Wanniarachchi & Mumtaz Cheema & Raymond Thomas & Vanessa Kavanagh & Lakshman Galagedara, 2019. "Impact of Soil Amendments on the Hydraulic Conductivity of Boreal Agricultural Podzols," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 9(6), pages 1-12, June.
    4. Avanthi Deshani Igalavithana & Yong Sik Ok & Nabeel Khan Niazi & Muhammad Rizwan & Mohammad I. Al-Wabel & Adel R. A. Usman & Deok Hyun Moon & Sang Soo Lee, 2017. "Effect of Corn Residue Biochar on the Hydraulic Properties of Sandy Loam Soil," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(2), pages 1-10, February.
    5. Nikolas Hagemann & Stephen Joseph & Hans-Peter Schmidt & Claudia I. Kammann & Johannes Harter & Thomas Borch & Robert B. Young & Krisztina Varga & Sarasadat Taherymoosavi & K. Wade Elliott & Amy McKen, 2017. "Organic coating on biochar explains its nutrient retention and stimulation of soil fertility," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-11, December.
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    1. Mohammad Ghorbani & Elnaz Amirahmadi & Reinhard W. Neugschwandtner & Petr Konvalina & Marek Kopecký & Jan Moudrý & Kristýna Perná & Yves Theoneste Murindangabo, 2022. "The Impact of Pyrolysis Temperature on Biochar Properties and Its Effects on Soil Hydrological Properties," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-15, November.

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