The use of biochar to reduce nitrogen and potassium leaching from soil cultivated with maize
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15243/jdmlm.2014.021.211Keywords:
biochar, degraded soil, leaching, nutrient uptakeAbstract
Nutrient leaching is often a problem especially in tropical areas with soil fertility constraints. This study aims to reveal the effect of biochars on leaching and uptake of nitrogen and potassium from degraded soils cultivated with maize. Each of three types of biochar originated from rice husk, wood, and coconut shell, was applied to the soil placed in PVC tube at four rates (0,15, 30, and 45 t/ha). Maize was then planted in each pot. All pots received urea (135 kg N/ha), SP 36 (36 kg P2O5/ha), and KCl (110 kg K2O/ha). Twelve treatments (three biochars and four application rates) were arranged in a factorial randomized block design with three replicates. Results of the study showed interaction effects of biochar materials and biochar rates on nitrate leaching (except on day 1 to 30) and potassium, N uptake, and plant growth. On day 1-30, leaching of nitrate and potassium was reduced by biochar application. The lowest nitrate leaching was observed at rate of 45 t /ha of wood biochar, while application of 45 t/ ha coconut shell biochar resulted in the highest K leaching. Beside, wood biochar resulted in a similar nitrate leaching with that of coconut shell biochars, but nitrate leaching increased with increasing rate of biochar chaff on 30-60 HST. All biochar materials yielded a similar potassium leaching at all rates. Application of 45 t /ha biochar husk resulted in the best maize growth.
References
Bonelli, P.R, Della Rocca, P.A., Cerrella, E.G. and Cukierman, A.L. 2010. Effect of pyrolysis temperature on composition, surface properties and thermal degradation rates of Brazil nut shells. Bioresource Technology 76: 15–22.
Chan, K.Y., Van Zwieten, L., Meszaros, I., Downie, A. and Joseph, S. 2008. Using poultry litter biochars as soil amendments. Australian Journal of Soil Research 46 (5): 437–444.
Downie, A., Crosky, A. and Munroe, P. 2009. Physical properties of biochar. In: Lehmann, J. and Joseph, S. (eds), Biochar for Environmental Management. Science and Technology. Earthscan: London, UK, p. 13–32.
Lehmann, J., de Silva, J.P.Jr., Steiner, C., Nehls, T., Zech, W. and Glaser, B. 2003. Nutrient availability and leaching in an archaeological Anthrosol and a Ferralsol of the Central Amazon basin: fertilizer, manure and charcoal amendments. Plant and Soil 249: 343–357. Doi: 10.1023/ A: 1022833116184.
Major, J., Steinerm, C., Downiem, A. and Lehmann, J. 2009. Biochar effects on nutrient leaching. In: Lehmann, J. and Joseph, S. (eds), Biochar for Environmental Management. Science and Technology. Earthscan: London, UK, p. 271−287.
Nguyen, T.H., Brown, R.A. and Ball, W.P. 2004. An evaluation of thermal resistance as a measure of black carbon content in diesel soot, wood char, and sediment. Organic Geochemistry 35: 217–234. Doi: 10.1016/j.orggeochem.2003.09.005.
Novak, J.M., Busscher, W.J, Laird, D.L., Ahmedna, M., Watts, D.W. and Niandou, M.A. 2009. Impact of biochar on fertility of a southeastern Coastal Plain soil. Soil Science 174: 105-112.
Prima, L., and Gunadi, D.H. 2010. Utilization of biochar as a microbial carrier for stabilizer aggregate Ultisol of Parks Bogo-Lampung. Menara Pekebunan 78 (2): 52-60.
Randall, G.W., Huggins, D.R., Russell, M.P., Fuchs, D.J., Nelson, W.W. and Anderson, J.L. 1997. Nitrate losses through subsurface tile drainage in conservation reserve program, alfalfa, and row crop systems. Journal of Environmental Quality 26: 1240-1247. Doi: 10.2134 / jeq 1997. 0047242500 2600050007.
Renck, A. and Lehmann, J. 2004. Rapid water flow and transport of inorganic and organic nitrogen in a highly aggregated tropical soil. Soil Science 169: 330–341. Doi: 10.1097/01.ss.0000128016.00021.3d.
Singh, B.P., Hatton, B.J., Singh, B., Cowie, A.L. and Kathuria, A. 2010. Influence of biochars on nitrous oxide emission and nitrogen leaching from two contrasting soils. Journal of Environmental Quality 39: 1224–1235.
Steiner, C., Teixeira, W.G., Lehmann, J., Nehls, T., Vasconcelos de Macedo, J.L., Blum, W.E.H. and Zech, W. 2007. Long term effects of manure, charcoal and mineral fertilization on crop production and fertility on a highly weathered Central Amazonian upland soil. Plant and Soil 291: 275-290.
Tiessen, H., Cuevas, E. and Chacon, P. 1994. The role of soil organic matter is sustaining soil fertility. Nature. 371: 587-615.
Widowati and Asnah. 2014. Biochars effect on potassium fertilizer and leaching potassium dosage for two corn-planting seasons. Agrivita Journal Agriculture Sciences 36 (1): 65-71.
Widowati, Utomo, W.H., Guritno, B. and Soehono, L.A. 2012. The Effect of biochar on the growth and N fertilizer requirement of maize (Zea mays L.) in green house experiment. Journal of Agricultural Science. 4: 255 – 262.
Yao, Y., Gao, B., Zhang, M., Inyang, M. and Zimmerman, A.R. 2012. Effect of biochar amendment on sorption and leaching of nitrate, ammonium, and phosphate in a sandy soil. Chemosphere. 89: 1467–1471.
Downloads
Submitted
Accepted
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Submission of a manuscript implies: that the work described has not been published before (except in the form of an abstract or as part of a published lecture, or thesis) that it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere; that if and when the manuscript is accepted for publication, the authors agree to automatic transfer of the copyright to the publisher. 
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Scientific Journal by Eko Handayanto is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at https://ub.ac.id.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at https://ircmedmind.ub.ac.id/.
This work is licensed under a 