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Biochar Improves Maize Growth but Has a Limited Effect on Soil Properties: Evidence from a Three-Year Field Experiment

Author

Listed:
  • Agnieszka Medyńska-Juraszek

    (Institute of Soil Sciences and Environmental Protection, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 50-357 Wroclaw, Poland)

  • Agnieszka Latawiec

    (Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Informatics, University of Agriculture, 30-159 Kraków, Poland)

  • Jolanta Królczyk

    (Department of Manufacturing and Materials Engineering, Opole University of Technology, 45-271 Opole, Poland)

  • Adam Bogacz

    (Institute of Soil Sciences and Environmental Protection, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 50-357 Wroclaw, Poland)

  • Dorota Kawałko

    (Institute of Soil Sciences and Environmental Protection, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 50-357 Wroclaw, Poland)

  • Magdalena Bednik

    (Institute of Soil Sciences and Environmental Protection, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 50-357 Wroclaw, Poland)

  • Michał Dudek

    (Institute of Soil Sciences and Environmental Protection, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 50-357 Wroclaw, Poland)

Abstract

Biochar application is reported as a method for improving physical and chemical soil properties, with a still questionable impact on the crop yields and quality. Plant productivity can be affected by biochar properties and soil conditions. High efficiency of biochar application was reported many times for plant cultivation in tropical and arid climates; however, the knowledge of how the biochar affects soils in temperate climate zones exhibiting different properties is still limited. Therefore, a three-year-long field experiment was conducted on a loamy Haplic Luvisol, a common arable soil in Central Europe, to extend the laboratory-scale experiments on biochar effectiveness. A low-temperature pinewood biochar was applied at the rate of 50 t h −1 , and maize was selected as a tested crop. Biochar application did not significantly impact the chemical soil properties and fertility of tested soil. However, biochar improved soil physical properties and water retention, reducing plant water stress during hot dry summers, and thus resulting in better maize growth and higher yields. Limited influence of the low-temperature biochar on soil properties suggests the crucial importance of biochar-production technology and biochar properties on the effectiveness and validity of its application in agriculture.

Suggested Citation

  • Agnieszka Medyńska-Juraszek & Agnieszka Latawiec & Jolanta Królczyk & Adam Bogacz & Dorota Kawałko & Magdalena Bednik & Michał Dudek, 2021. "Biochar Improves Maize Growth but Has a Limited Effect on Soil Properties: Evidence from a Three-Year Field Experiment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-16, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:7:p:3617-:d:523384
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Katy E. Brantley & Mary C. Savin & Kristofor R. Brye & David E. Longer, 2015. "Pine Woodchip Biochar Impact on Soil Nutrient Concentrations and Corn Yield in a Silt Loam in the Mid-Southern U.S," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 5(1), pages 1-18, February.
    2. Emanoel Gomes de Moura & Christoph Gehring & Heder Braun & Altamiro De Souza Lima Ferraz Junior & Fabricio De Oliveira Reis & Alana Das Chagas Ferreira Aguiar, 2016. "Improving Farming Practices for Sustainable Soil Use in the Humid Tropics and Rainforest Ecosystem Health," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(9), pages 1-21, August.
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