title: Influence of biochar on nitrogen fractions in a coastal plain soil.
abstract: Interest in the use of biochar from pyrolysis of biomass to sequester C and improve soil productivity has increased; however, variability in physical and chemical characteristics raises concerns about effects on soil processes. Of particular concern is the effect of biochar on soil N dynamics. The effect of biochar on N dynamics was evaluated in a Norfolk loamy sand with and without NHNO. High-temperature (HT) (≥500°C) and low-temperature (LT) (≤400°C) biochars from peanut hull ( L.), pecan shell ( Wangenh. K. Koch), poultry litter (), and switchgrass ( L.) and a fast pyrolysis hardwood biochar (450-600°C) were evaluated. Changes in inorganic, mineralizable, resistant, and recalcitrant N fractions were determined after a 127-d incubation that included four leaching events. After 127 d, little evidence of increased inorganic N retention was found for any biochar treatments. The mineralizable N fraction did not increase, indicating that biochar addition did not stimulate microbial biomass. Decreases in the resistant N fraction were associated with the high pH and high ash biochars. Unidentified losses of N were observed with HT pecan shell, HT peanut hull, and HT and LT poultry litter biochars that had high pH and ash contents. Volatilization of N as NH in the presence of these biochars was confirmed in a separate short-term laboratory experiment. The observed responses to different biochars illustrate the need to characterize biochar quality and match it to soil type and land use.
authors: Natural Resource Conservation Center, Watkinsville, GA, USA. harry.schomberg@ars.usda.gov
authors: Harry H
authors: HH
authors: Schomberg
authors: Julia W
authors: JW
authors: Gaskin
authors: Keith
authors: K
authors: Harris
authors: K C
authors: KC
authors: Das
authors: Jeff M
authors: JM
authors: Novak
authors: Warren J
authors: WJ
authors: Busscher
authors: Don W
authors: DW
authors: Watts
authors: Robin H
authors: RH
authors: Woodroof
authors: Isabel M
authors: IM
authors: Lima
authors: Mohamed
authors: M
authors: Ahmedna
authors: Djaafar
authors: D
authors: Rehrah
authors: Baoshan
authors: B
authors: Xing
mesh_terms: D002606:Charcoal / Q000737:chemistry*; D017753:Ecosystem; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000737:chemistry*; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D012987:Soil; C540010:biochar; D002606:Charcoal; D009584:Nitrogen