title: Manure derived biochar can successfully replace phosphate rock amendment in peatland restoration.
abstract: Phosphate rock fertilization is commonly used in peatland restoration to promote the growth of Polytrichum strictum, a nurse plant which aids the establishment of Sphagnum mosses. The present study tested whether 1) phosphorus fertilization facilitates the germination of P. strictum spores and 2) biochar derived from local pig manure can replace imported phosphate rock currently used in peatland restoration. Various doses of biochar were compared to phosphate rock to test its effect directly on P. strictum stem regeneration (in Petri dishes in a growth chamber) and in a simulation of peatland restoration with the moss layer transfer technique (in mesocoms in a greenhouse). Phosphorus fertilization promoted the germination of P. strictum spores as well as vegetative stem development. Biochar can effectively replace phosphate rock in peatland restoration giving a new waste management option for rural regions with phosphorus surpluses. As more available phosphorus was present in biochar, an addition of only 3-9 g m(-2) of pig manure biochar is recommended during the peatland restoration process, which is less than the standard dose of phosphate rock (15 g m(-2)).
authors.affiliation: Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG) and Centre d'Études Nordiques, Université Laval, 2425 Rue de l'Agriculture, Quebec City, Québec, G1V 0A6, Canada. Electronic address: remy.pouliot.1@ulaval.ca.
authors.forename: Rémy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pouliot
authors.affiliation: Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG) and Centre d'Études Nordiques, Université Laval, 2425 Rue de l'Agriculture, Quebec City, Québec, G1V 0A6, Canada.
authors.forename: Sandrine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hugron
authors.affiliation: Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG) and Centre d'Études Nordiques, Université Laval, 2425 Rue de l'Agriculture, Quebec City, Québec, G1V 0A6, Canada.
authors.forename: Line
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rochefort
authors.affiliation: Institut de Recherche et de développement en agroenvironnement (IRDA), 2700 Rue Einstein, Quebec City, Québec, G1P 3W8, Canada.
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Godbout
authors.affiliation: Institut de Recherche et de développement en agroenvironnement (IRDA), 2700 Rue Einstein, Quebec City, Québec, G1P 3W8, Canada.
authors.forename: Joahnn H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Palacios
authors.affiliation: Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG) and Centre d'Études Nordiques, Université Laval, 2425 Rue de l'Agriculture, Quebec City, Québec, G1V 0A6, Canada.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Groeneveld
authors.affiliation: Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG) and Centre d'Études Nordiques, Université Laval, 2425 Rue de l'Agriculture, Quebec City, Québec, G1V 0A6, Canada.
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Jarry
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D044002:Bryophyta / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D002606:Charcoal; D017753:Ecosystem; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation; D005308:Fertilizers; D008372:Manure; D010710:Phosphates / Q000737:chemistry*; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D005308:Fertilizers; D008372:Manure; D010710:Phosphates; D012987:Soil; C540010:biochar; D002606:Charcoal
keywords: Cutover bog; Ecological restoration; Fertilization; Polytrichaceae; Solid biochar; Sphagnum moss