title: Straw biochar hastens organic matter degradation and produces nutrient-rich compost.
abstract: Biochar derived from wheat straw was added to pig manure in amounts equivalent to 5%, 10%, or 15% (w/w, wet weight). The ratios of NH4(+)/NO3(-) and of UV light absorption at a wavelength of 254nm (SUV254) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) indicated that compost with 10-15% biochar became more mature and more humified within 42days of composting, and the content of DOC and the concentration of NH4(+) in such compost decreased by 37.5-62.0% and 4.0-20.9%, respectively, compared to the corresponding levels in the control. Addition of biochar lowered the pH and increased electrical conductivity by 7.0-37.5% compared to the control and also increased the concentrations of water-soluble nutrients including PO4(3-) (5.6-7.4%), K(+) (14.2-58.6%), and Ca(2+) (0-12.5%). It is therefore recommended that straw biochar be added to pig manure at 10-15% by weight.
authors.affiliation: Eco-environmental Protection Research Institute, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201403, PR China; Shanghai Engineering Research Centre of Low-carbon Agriculture (SERCLA), Shanghai 201415, PR China.
authors.forename: Jining
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Eco-environmental Protection Research Institute, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201403, PR China; Shanghai Engineering Research Centre of Low-carbon Agriculture (SERCLA), Shanghai 201415, PR China.
authors.forename: Guifa
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Eco-environmental Protection Research Institute, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201403, PR China; Shanghai Engineering Research Centre of Low-carbon Agriculture (SERCLA), Shanghai 201415, PR China.
authors.forename: Huifeng
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Eco-environmental Protection Research Institute, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201403, PR China; Shanghai Engineering Research Centre of Low-carbon Agriculture (SERCLA), Shanghai 201415, PR China. Electronic address: zhous@outlook.com.
authors.forename: Sheng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Eco-environmental Protection Research Institute, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201403, PR China; Shanghai Engineering Research Centre of Low-carbon Agriculture (SERCLA), Shanghai 201415, PR China; Shanghai Co-Elite Agricultural Sci-Tech (Group) Co., Ltd, Shanghai 201106, PR China.
authors.forename: Guoyan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zou
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002244:Carbon / Q000032:analysis; D002606:Charcoal / Q000737:chemistry*; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008372:Manure / Q000032:analysis; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis*; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis*; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D012995:Solubility; D013552:Swine; D013696:Temperature; D014908:Triticum / Q000737:chemistry; D014866:Waste Products; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D008372:Manure; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D012987:Soil; D014866:Waste Products; C540010:biochar; D014867:Water; D002606:Charcoal; D010758:Phosphorus; D002244:Carbon; D009584:Nitrogen
keywords: Composting; Crop straw; Pig manure; Straw biochar; Water-soluble nutrients