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.
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Biochar addition has no effect on mineralization.
“have no effect on mineralization [20,70]”
From A Review of Biochar and Soil Nitrogen Dynamics (2013) · cites this paper as [20]
Schomberg et al. found differences in a recalcitrant N fraction when incubating several different biochars over 127 days.
“Schomberg et al. [20] who also found differences in a recalcitrant N fraction when incubating several different biochars over 127 days.”
From A Review of Biochar and Soil Nitrogen Dynamics (2013) · cites this paper as [20]
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- Authors
- Schomberg, H. H., Gaskin, J. W., Harris, K., Das, K. C., Novak, J. M., Busscher, W. J., Watts, D. W., Woodroof, R. H., Lima, I. M., Ahmedna, M., Rehrah, D., & Xing, B.
- Affiliations
- Agricultural Research Service (US)
- University of Georgia (US)
- USDA-ARS, Coastal Plains Research Laboratory; Florence SC 29501
- North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (US)
- University of Massachusetts Amherst (US)
- Corresponding author
- Schomberg, Harry H.
- Venue
- Journal of Environmental Quality
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2012-07
- Volume
- 41
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 1087-1095
- ISSN
- 0047-2425 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2071197592
- Cited by
- 110
- References
- 60
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 13.64
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Environmental Quality (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Soil Science › Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Thermochemical Biomass Conversion Processes
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Soil and Water Nutrient Dynamics
- Keywords
- biochar, soil nitrogen fractions, nitrogen mineralization, nitrogen leaching, ammonia volatilization, biochar pyrolysis temperature, biochar pH, poultry litter biochar, soil carbon sequestration, biochar quality
- MeSH terms
- Charcoal, Hydrogen-Ion Concentration, Nitrogen, Soil, Time Factors, Ecosystem
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