title: Chemically and biologically-mediated fertilizing value of manure-derived biochar.
abstract: This study evaluates the potential of manure-derived biochars in promoting plant growth and enhancing soil chemical and biological properties during a 150day pot experiment. Biochars from pyrolysis of poultry litter (PL) and swine manure (SM) at 400 and 600°C, and a commonly available wood chip (WC) biochar produced at high temperature (1000°C) were incorporated to silt-loam (SL) and sandy (SY) soils on a 2% dry soil weight basis. Ryegrass was sown and moisture was adjusted to 60% water filled pore space (WFPS). The PL400 and SM400 biochars significantly increased (p<0.05) shoot dry matter (DM) yields (SL soil) and enhanced nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) uptake by the plants in both soils, compared to the Control. All biochars significantly increased the soil carbon (C) contents compared to the Control. Total N contents were significantly greater for PL400 and PL600 treatments in both soils. The dehydrogenase activity (DA) significantly increased for PL400 and SM400 treatments and was positively correlated with the volatile matter (VM) contents of the biochars, while β-glucosidase activity (GA) decreased for the same treatments in both soils. All biochars significantly shifted (p≤0.05) the bacterial community structure compared to the Control. This study suggests that pyrolysis of animal manures can produce a biochar that acts as both soil amendment and an organic fertilizer as proven by increased NPK uptake, positive liming effect and high soil nutrient availability, while WC biochar could work only in combination with fertilizers (organic as well as mineral).
authors: Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Turin, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy; Department of Chemical and Environmental Sciences, University of Limerick, Plassey Park Rd., Castletroy, Co. Limerick, Ireland; Department of Life Sciences, University of Limerick, Plassey Park Rd., Castletroy, Co. Limerick, Ireland. Electronic address: raghunath.subedi@unito.it.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Subedi
authors: Department of Chemical and Environmental Sciences, University of Limerick, Plassey Park Rd., Castletroy, Co. Limerick, Ireland.
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Taupe
authors: Department of Life Sciences, University of Limerick, Plassey Park Rd., Castletroy, Co. Limerick, Ireland.
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Ikoyi
authors: Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Turin, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Bertora
authors: Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Turin, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Zavattaro
authors: Department of Life Sciences, University of Limerick, Plassey Park Rd., Castletroy, Co. Limerick, Ireland.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Schmalenberger
authors: Department of Chemical and Environmental Sciences, University of Limerick, Plassey Park Rd., Castletroy, Co. Limerick, Ireland.
authors: J J
authors: JJ
authors: Leahy
authors: Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Turin, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Grignani
mesh_terms: D002244:Carbon / Q000032:analysis; D002606:Charcoal / Q000737:chemistry*; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation / Q000379:methods; D005308:Fertilizers; D008372:Manure; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D005308:Fertilizers; D008372:Manure; D012987:Soil; C540010:biochar; D002606:Charcoal; D010758:Phosphorus; D002244:Carbon; D009584:Nitrogen
keywords: Amendment; Carbon sequestration; Crop growth; Fertilizer; Pyrolysis temperature; Soil enzyme activity