Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-c47g7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-19T10:28:21.463Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Rice straw biochar improves soil fertility, growth, and yield of rice–wheat system on a sandy loam soil

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 July 2019

R. K. Gupta Open the ORCID record for R. K. Gupta [Opens in a new window] ,
Ashaq Hussain ,
Yadvinder-Singh ,
S. S. Sooch ,
J. S. Kang ,
Sandeep Sharma  and
G. S. Dheri
R. K. Gupta*
Affiliation:
Department of Soil Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab 141004, India
Ashaq Hussain
Affiliation:
Mountain Research Centre for Field Crops (MRCFC), Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Khudwani, Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir 192 102, India
Yadvinder-Singh
Affiliation:
Department of Soil Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab 141004, India
S. S. Sooch
Affiliation:
Department of Renewable Energy Engineering, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab 141004, India
J. S. Kang
Affiliation:
Department of Agronomy, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab 141004, India
Sandeep Sharma
Affiliation:
Department of Soil Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab 141004, India
G. S. Dheri
Affiliation:
Department of Soil Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab 141004, India
*
*Corresponding author. Email: rkg1103@yahoo.com
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Biochar has received attention due to its potential for mitigating climate change through carbon sequestration in soil and improving soil quality and crop productivity. This study evaluated the effects of rice straw biochar (RSB) and rice husk ash (RHA) each applied at 5 Mg ha−1 and four N levels (0, 40, 80, and 120 kg ha−1) on soil fertility, growth, and yield of rice and wheat for three consecutive rice–wheat rotations. RSB significantly increased electrical conductivity, dehydrogenase activity, and P and K contents when compared to control (no amendment) up to 7.5 cm soil depth. Both RSB and RHA did not influence shoot N concentration in wheat plant but significantly increased P and K concentrations at 60 days after sowing. Grain yields of both rice and wheat were significantly higher in RSB as compared to control (no amendment) and RHA treatments. While the highest grain yields of rice and wheat were observed at 120 kg N ha−1 in RHA and no biochar-treated plots, a significant increase in grain yields was observed at 80 kg N ha−1 in RSB treatment, thereby saving 40 kg N ha−1 in each crop. Both agronomic and recovery N efficiencies in rice and wheat were significantly higher in RSB-amended soil compared to control. Significant positive correlations were observed between soil N, P, and K concentrations and total N, P, and K concentrations in aboveground biomass of wheat at 60 days after sowing. This study showed the potential benefits of applying RSB for improving soil fertility and yields of rice and wheat in a rice–wheat system.

Keywords

BiocharRice husk ashSoil organic carbonNitrogenPhosphorousPotassiumDehydrogenase activity
Type
Research Article
Information
Experimental Agriculture , Volume 56 , Issue 1 , February 2020 , pp. 118 - 131
Check for updates
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2019 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Agyarko-Mintah, E., Cowie, A., Singh, B.P., Joseph, S., Van Zwieten, L., Hardin, S. and Smillie, R. (2017). Biochar increases nitrogen retention and lowers greenhouse gas emissions when added to composting poultry litter. Waste Management 61: 138–149.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Alburquerque, J.A., Salazar, P., Barron, V., Torrent, J., Campillo, M.D., Gallardo, A. and Villar, R. (2013). Enhanced wheat yield by biochar addition under different mineral fertilization levels. Agronomy for Sustainable Development 33: 475–484.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Baligar, V.C., Fageria, N.K. and He, Z.L. (2001). Nutrient use efficiency in plants. Communication in Soil Science & Plant Analysis 32: 921–950.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bayu, D., Mosissa, T. and Nebiyu, A. (2016). Effect of biochar on soil properties and lead (Pb) availability in a military camp in South West Ethiopia. African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology 10: 77–85.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bhatti, D.S. (2018). Package of practices for crops of Punjab–Kharif crops. Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India 35(1): 1–21.Google Scholar
Bhatti, D.S. and Kaur, S. (2018) Package of practices for crops of Punjab–Rabi crops. Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India 35(2): 1–19.Google Scholar
Bruun, E.W., Ambus, P., Egsgaard, H. and Hauggaard-Nielsen, H. (2012). Effects of slow and fast pyrolysis biochar on soil C and N turnover dynamics. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 46: 73–79.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cao, T., Meng, J., Liang, H., Yang, X. and Chen, W. (2017). Can biochar provide ammonium and nitrate to poor soils? Soil column incubation. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition 17: 253–265.Google Scholar
Casida, L.E. Jr., Klein, D.A. and Santoro, T. (1964). Soil dehydrogenase activity. Soil Science. 98: 371–376.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chan, K.Y., Zwieten, V.L., Meszaros, I., Dowine, A. and Joseph, S. (2007). Agronomic value of green waste biochar as a soil amendment. Australian Journal of Soil Research 45: 629–634.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chintala, R., Schumacher, T.E., McDonald, L., Clay, D.E., Malo, D.D. and Papiernik, S.K. (2014). Phosphorus sorption and availability from biochars and soil/biochar mixtures. Clean–Soil, Air, Water 42: 626–634.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Demeyer, A., Nkana, J.C.V. and Verlu, M.G. (2001). Characteristics of wood ash and influence on soil properties and nutrient uptake: an overview. Bioresource Technology 77: 287–295.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ding, Y., Liu, Y., Wu, W., Shi, D., Yang, M. and Zhong, Z. (2010). Evaluation of biochar effects on nitrogen retention and leaching in multi-layered soil columns. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution 213: 47–55.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
El-Eyuoon, A. and Amin, A.Z. (2016). Impact of corn cob biochar on potassium status and wheat growth in a calcareous sandy soil. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 47: 2026–2033.Google Scholar
Feng, Y., Xu, Y., Yu, Y., Xie, Z. and Lin, X. (2012). Mechanisms of biochar decreasing methane emission from Chinese paddy soils. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 46: 80–88.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gupta, R.K., Singh, A., Singh, Y., Thind, H.S., Singh, B. and Singh, V. (2013). Effect of rice husk ash and bagasse ash on phosphorus adsorption and desorption in an alkaline soil under wheat-rice system. Communications in Soil Science & Plant Analysis 45: 1385–1398.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jackson, M.L. (1973). Soil Chemical Analysis. New Delhi: Prentice Hall of India, Pvt. Ltd.Google Scholar
Jianping, Z. (2006). Soil erosion in Guizhou province of China: a case study in Bijie prefecture. Soil Use and Management 15: 68–70.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Keeney, D.R. and Nelson, D.W. (1982). Nitrogen-inorganic forms. In Page , A.L. et al. (eds), Methods of Soil Analysis. Part 2. Chemical and Microbiological Properties, Agron. Monogr. 9, 2nd Edn. Madison, WI: ASA and SSSA, pp. 642–698.Google Scholar
Knowles, O.A., Robinson, B.H., Contangelo, A. and Clucas, L. (2011). Biochar for the mitigation of nitrate leaching from soil amended with biosolids. Science of the Total Environment 409: 3206–3210.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Laird, D., Fleming, P., Wang, B., Horton, R. and Karlen, D. (2010). Biochar impact on nutrient leaching from a Midwestern agricultural soil. Geoderma 158: 436–442.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lehmann, J., Czimczik, C., Laird, C. and Sohi, S. (2009) Stability of biochar in soil. In Lehmann, J. and Josep, S. (eds) Biochar for Environmental Management: Science and Technology. London:Earthscan.Google Scholar
Lehmann, J., da 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.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Liang, B., Lehmann, J., Solomon, D., Kinyangi, J., Grossman, J., O’Neill, B., Skjemstad, J.O., Thies, J., Luizão, F.J., Petersen, J. and Neves, E.G. (2006). Black carbon increases cation exchange capacity in soil. Soil Science Society of America Journal 70: 1719–1730.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Liu, Y., Lu, H., Yang, S. and Wang, Y. (2016). Impacts of biochar addition on rice yield and soil properties in a cold waterlogged paddy for two crop seasons. Field Crops Research 191: 161–167.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Loria, B. and Harpole, W.S. (2013). Biochar and its effects on plant productivity and nutrient cycling: a meta-analysis. Global Change Biology Bioenergy 5: 202–214.Google Scholar
Mete, F.Z., Mia, S., Dijkstra, F.A., Abuyusuf, M.D. and Hossain, I.A.S.M. (2015). Synergistic effects of biochar and NPK fertilizer on soybean yield in an alkaline soil. Pedosphere 25: 713–719.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Moeskops, B., Sukristiyonubowo, B.D., Sleutel, S., Herawaty, L., Husen, E., Saraswati, R., Setyorini, D. and De Neve, S. (2010). Soil microbial communities and activities under intensive organic and conventional vegetable farming in West Java, Indonesia. Applied Soil Ecology 45: 112–120.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
NAAS (2017). Innovative viable solution to rice residue burning in rice–wheat cropping system through concurrent use of super straw management system-fitted combines and turbo happy seeder. Policy Brief No. 2. New Delhi: National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), p. 16.Google Scholar
Nelson, N.O., Agudelo, S.C., Yuan, W. and Gan, J. (2011). Nitrogen and phosphorus availability in biochar–amended soils. Soil Science 176: 218–227.Google Scholar
Novak, J.M.I., Lima, B., Xing, J.W., Gaskin, C., Steiner, K.C., Das, M., Ahmedna, D., Rehrah, D.W., Watts, W.J. and Schomberg, H. (2009). Characterization of designer biochar produced at different temperatures and their effects on a loamy sand. Annals of Environmental Science 3: 195–206.Google Scholar
Oguntunde, P.G., Abiodun, B.J., Ajayi, A.E. and van de Giesen, N. (2008). Effects of charcoal production on soil physical properties in Ghana. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition 171: 591–596.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Olsen, S.R., Coleman, C.W., Watnate, F.S. and Dean, L.A. (1954). Estimation of available phosphorus with sodium bicarbonate. United States Department of Agriculture Circular 939: 19.Google Scholar
Ouyang, L., Tang, Q., Yu, L. and Zhang, R. (2014). Effects of amendment of different biochars on soil enzyme activities related to carbon mineralisation. Soil Research 52: 706–716.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Singh, A., Gupta, R.K., Singh, Y.-S. and Singh, B. (2013). Effect of rice husk ash and bagasse ash on inorganic phosphorus fractions and available phosphorus in an alkaline soil under wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)- rice (Oryza sativa L.) cropping system. Journal of Indian Society of Soil Science 61: 258–260.Google Scholar
Singh, Y., Thind, H.S. and Sidhu, H.S. (2014). Management options for rice residues for sustainable Productivity of rice–wheat cropping system. Journal of Research Punjab Agricultural University 51: 239–245.Google Scholar
Singh, Y. and Sidhu, H.S. (2014). Management of cereal crop residues for sustainable rice–wheat system in the Indo-Gangetic plains of India. Proceedings Indian National Science Academy Part B Biological Sciences 80: 95–114.Google Scholar
Sharma, S., Thind, H.S., Singh, Y., Singh, V. and Singh, B. (2015). Soil enzyme activities with biomass ashes and phosphorus fertilization to rice–wheat cropping system in the Indo-Gangetic plains of India. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 101: 391–400.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Smith, J.L., Collins, H.P. and Bailey, V.L. (2010). The effect of young biochar on soil respiration. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 42: 2345–2347.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sohi, S.P., Krull, E., Lopez-Capel, E. and Bol, R. (2010). A review of biochar and its use and function in soil. Advances in Agronomy 105: 47–82.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Spokas, K.A., Cantrell, K.B. and Novak, J.M. (2011). Biochar: synthesis of its agronomic impact beyond carbon sequestration. Journal of Environmental Quality 41: 973–989.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stavi, I. and Lal, R. (2013). Agroforestry and biochar to offset climate change: a review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development 33: 81–96.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Steel, R.G.D., Torrie, J.H. and Dickey, D.A. (1997). Principles and Procedures of Statistics: A Bio-metrical Approach, 3rd Edn. New York: McGraw Hill Book Co., Inc.Google Scholar
Steiner, C., Glaser, B., Teixeira, W.G., Lehmann, J., Blum, W.E.H. and Zech, W. (2008). Nitrogen retention and plant uptake on a highly weathered central Amazonian ferralsol amended with compost and charcoal. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science 171: 893–899.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Taghizadeh-Toosi, A. (2011). Biochar incorporation into pasture soil suppresses in situ nitrous oxide emissions from ruminant urine patches. Journal of Environmental Quality 40: 468–476.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Thind, H.S., Singh, Y.,Sharma, S., Singh, V., Sran, H.S. and Singh, B. (2017). Phosphorus fertilizer potential of bagasse ash and rice husk ash in wheat–rice system on alkaline loamy sand soil. Journal of Agricultural Sciences, Cambridge 155: 465–474.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Thind, H.S., Singh, Y., Singh, B., Singh, V., Sharma, S., Vashistha, M. and Singh, G. (2012). Land application of rice husk ash, bagasse ash and coal fly ash: Effects on crop productivity and nutrient uptake in rice–wheat system on alkaline loamy sand. Field Crops Research 135: 137–144.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ullah, I., Ali, N., Durrani, S., Shabaz, M.A., Hafeez, A., Hafeez, A., Ishfaq, M., Fayyaz, M.R., Rehman, A. and Waheed, A. (2018). Effect of different nitrogen levels on growth, yield and yield contributing attributes of wheat. International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research 9: 595–602.Google Scholar
Venkatesh, G., Korwar, G.R., Venkateswarlu, B., Gopinath, K.A., Mandal, U.K., Srinivasarao, C. and Grover, M.T. (2010). Preliminary studies on conversion of maize stalks into biochar for terrestrial sequestration of carbon in rainfed agriculture. In National Symposium on Climate Change and Rainfed Agriculture. CRIDA, Hyderabad, 18–20 February, 2010. pp 388–391.Google Scholar
Wu, F., Jia, Z., Wang, S., Chang, S.X. and Startsev, A. (2013). Contrasting effects of wheat straw and its biochar on greenhouse gas emissions and enzyme activities in a Chernozemic soil. Biology and Fertility of Soils 49: 555–565.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
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. Chemsphere 89: 1467–1471.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Yu, X.Y., Ying, G.G. and Kookana, R.S. (2009). Reduced plant uptake of pesticides with biochar addition to soil. Chemosphere 89: 1467–1471.Google Scholar
Zhang, A.P., Liu, R.L., Gao, J., Zhang, Q.W., Chen, Z., Hui, J.Z., Yang, S.Q. and Yang, Z.L. (2015). Effects of biochar on rice yield and nitrogen use efficiency in the Ningxia Yellow River irrigation region. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Fertilizer 21: 1352–1360.Google Scholar
Zheng, H., Wang, Z., Deng, X., Herbert, S. and Xing, B. (2013). Impacts of adding biochar on nitrogen retention and bioavailability in agricultural soil. Geoderma 206: 32–39.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Supplementary material: File

Gupta et al. supplementary material

Table S1

Download Gupta et al. supplementary material(File)
File 12.5 KB