Resumen de Impact of wheat straw biochar on yield of rice and some properties of Psammaquent and Plinthudult
Niaz Muhammad, Rukhsanda Aziz, Philip C. Brookes, Jianming Xu
Agricultural organic matter is a major component of organic waste on earth that significantly contributes in environmental pollution. The conversion of organic waste into biochar and addition to soil is the recommended strategy to reduce the negative environmental effects of organic waste and to increase the soil fertility. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the changes in nutrient concentrations, rice yield and microbial community structure in a Psammaquent and Plinthudult at harvest following incorporation of biochar derived from wheat straw. Wheat straw biochar generated at 300-500˚C under oxygen limited conditions was applied, in a greenhouse experiment to a Psammaquent and Plinthudult at a rate of 3% weight/weight (w/w). The biochar addition to both types of soil significantly increased the soil pH from 4.2 to 6.2 and 4.7 to 6.7, total nitrogen by 135 and 37%, and organic carbon by 90 and 80%, in the Psammaquent and Plinthudult, respectively as compared to the respective controls. The dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) was decreased by 24 and 15% and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) by 40 and 44% in Psammaquent and Plinthudult, respectively. The biochar decreased the concentrations of K leached by 24%, B by 25%, Cu by 80%, Mn by 37% and Zn by 33% in the Psammaquent and B by 50%, Cu by 60%, Fe by 43%, Mn by 69% and Zn by 83% in the Plinthudult as compared to the controls. The wheat straw biochar addition to two soils increased the accumulation of Mn, Mo, Na and Zn in both rice straw and grain and decreased the leaching of nutrients, organic carbon and nitrogen at rice harvest and increased the leaching of Ca, Na, and Mg in both Psammaquent and Plinthudult. The biochar increased the pH, TOC and nitrogen in both soils. The biochar significantly changed the PLFA concentration indicating different microbial community pattern in soils growing rice compared to their controls. Thus, the results indicated that wheat straw biochar increased the productivity of rice in the Plinthudult and Psammaquent.
