Effects of biochar from slow pyrolysis of papermill waste on agronomic performance and soil fertility

Van Zwieten, Lukas; Kimber, S; Morris, S; Chan, K Y; Downie, A; Rust, J; Joseph, S; Cowie, Annette

doi:10.1007/s11104-009-0050-x

Author(s)

Van Zwieten, Lukas

Kimber, S

Morris, S

Chan, K Y

Downie, A

Rust, J

Joseph, S

Cowie, Annette

Publication Date

2010

Abstract

The amendment of two agricultural soils with two biochars derived from the slow pyrolysis of papermill waste was assessed in a glasshouse study. Characterisation of both biochars revealed high surface area (115 m² g−¹) and zones of calcium mineral agglomeration. The biochars differed slightly in their liming values (33% and 29%), and carbon content (50% and 52%). Molar H/C ratios of 0.3 in the biochars suggested aromatic stability. At application rates of 10 t ha−¹ in a ferrosol both biochars significantly increased pH, CEC, exchangeable Ca and total C, while in a calcarosol both biochars increased C while biochar 2 also increased exchangeable K. Biochars reduced Al availability (ca. 2 cmol (+) kg−¹ to <0.1 cmol (+) kg−¹) in the ferrosol. The analysis of biomass production revealed a range of responses, due to both biochar characteristics and soil type. Both biochars significantly increased N uptake in wheat grown in fertiliser amended ferrosol. Concomitant increase in biomass production (250% times that of control) therefore suggested improved fertiliser use efficiency. Likewise, biochar amendment significantly increased biomass in soybean and radish in the ferrosol with fertiliser. The calcarosol amended with fertiliser and biochar however gave varied crop responses: Increased soybean biomass, but reduced wheat and radish biomass. No significant effects of biochar were shown in the absence of fertiliser for wheat and soybean, while radish biomass increased significantly. Earthworms showed preference for biochar-amended ferrosol over control soils with no significant difference recorded for the calcarosol. The results from this work demonstrate that the agronomic benefits of papermill biochars have to be verified for different soil types and crops.

Citation

Plant and Soil, 327(1-2), p. 235-246

ISSN

1573-5036

0032-079X

Link

https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/5967

Language

en

Publisher

Springer Netherlands

Title

Effects of biochar from slow pyrolysis of papermill waste on agronomic performance and soil fertility

Type of document

Journal Article

Entity Type

Publication

Author(s)	Van Zwieten, Lukas Kimber, S Morris, S Chan, K Y Downie, A Rust, J Joseph, S Cowie, Annette
Publication Date	2010
Abstract	The amendment of two agricultural soils with two biochars derived from the slow pyrolysis of papermill waste was assessed in a glasshouse study. Characterisation of both biochars revealed high surface area (115 m² g−¹) and zones of calcium mineral agglomeration. The biochars differed slightly in their liming values (33% and 29%), and carbon content (50% and 52%). Molar H/C ratios of 0.3 in the biochars suggested aromatic stability. At application rates of 10 t ha−¹ in a ferrosol both biochars significantly increased pH, CEC, exchangeable Ca and total C, while in a calcarosol both biochars increased C while biochar 2 also increased exchangeable K. Biochars reduced Al availability (ca. 2 cmol (+) kg−¹ to <0.1 cmol (+) kg−¹) in the ferrosol. The analysis of biomass production revealed a range of responses, due to both biochar characteristics and soil type. Both biochars significantly increased N uptake in wheat grown in fertiliser amended ferrosol. Concomitant increase in biomass production (250% times that of control) therefore suggested improved fertiliser use efficiency. Likewise, biochar amendment significantly increased biomass in soybean and radish in the ferrosol with fertiliser. The calcarosol amended with fertiliser and biochar however gave varied crop responses: Increased soybean biomass, but reduced wheat and radish biomass. No significant effects of biochar were shown in the absence of fertiliser for wheat and soybean, while radish biomass increased significantly. Earthworms showed preference for biochar-amended ferrosol over control soils with no significant difference recorded for the calcarosol. The results from this work demonstrate that the agronomic benefits of papermill biochars have to be verified for different soil types and crops.
Citation	Plant and Soil, 327(1-2), p. 235-246
ISSN	1573-5036 0032-079X
Link	https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/5967
Language	en
Publisher	Springer Netherlands
Title	Effects of biochar from slow pyrolysis of papermill waste on agronomic performance and soil fertility
Type of document	Journal Article
Entity Type	Publication

Effects of biochar from slow pyrolysis of papermill waste on agronomic performance and soil fertility

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