TITLE:
Uptake of Phosphorus from Modified P-Enriched Douglas Fir Biochar and Its Effects on Crop Growth and P Use Efficiency
AUTHORS:
Beatrice Arwenyo, Jac J. Varco, Andrew Dygert, Jaime Berry, Julianna Mills, Dinesh Mohan, Charles U. Pittman Jr., Todd Mlsna
KEYWORDS:
Macronutrients, Dry Matter Yield, Micronutrients, Application Rate
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.10 No.9,
September
29,
2022
ABSTRACT: The potential use of biochar as a sustainable soil amendment has recently
gained global recognition. The use of biochar as a soil additive is attributed
to its ability to improve soil chemical, physical and biological properties.
Studies have shown that biochar amendments
can enhance soil nutrient retention and availability, pH, water holding
capacity, microbial activity and sequester carbon. In this study using corn (Zea mays L.) as an
experimental crop, the influence of P availability from modified P enriched
Douglas fir biochar (PEB), triple super
phosphate fertilizer (SPF), and modified Douglas fir biochar (MB) on
plant growth and P Use Efficiency (PUE) were compared. The rate of P applied
(0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 kg·ha-1) was calculated based on % P content
of each soil additive. Except for MB treatments, P recovery, crop growth and P
Use Efficiency increased with application rates. The maximum above ground dry
matter yields corresponding to PEB, SPF and MB treatments were estimated at
3488 kg·ha-1, 2449 kg·ha-1 and 639 kg·ha-1,
while their respective agronomic P use
efficiency (AGE) rates were 32 kg·kg-1, 17 kg·kg-1, 0.5 kg·kg-1. Also, recovery of K, Mg, Ca, Zn, Fe, Cu, B and Mn improved
in both PEB (p value 2 > 0.9) and SPF (p value 2 > 0.9) treatments. More studies at field scale are
needed to demonstrate the practicability of using modified P enriched Douglas
fir biochar for soil amendments.