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2 pages, 157 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Soil Fertility Management for Sustainable Crop Production

by Wenhai Mi, Qingxu Ma, Xiaochuang Cao and Lianghuan Wu

Agronomy 2023, 13(4), 1026; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13041026 - 30 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1300

Abstract

To feed the growing world population, which is expected to reach 9 [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Research and Extension in Agronomic Soil Fertility)

Research

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23 pages, 2682 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comprehensive Assessment of the Influence of Applying Two Kinds of Chicken-Manure-Processed Organic Fertilizers on Soil Properties, Mineralization of Nitrogen, and Yields of Three Crops

by Chun-Mai Hsu and Hung-Yu Lai

Agronomy 2022, 12(10), 2355; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12102355 - 29 Sep 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1907

Abstract

(1) Background: Excessive use of chemical fertilizers accelerates soil acidification and increases greenhouse gas emissions. In this context, the farmland application of organic fertilizers not only reuses agricultural waste but also improves soil quality. (2) Methods: Two organic fertilizers made from chicken manure—G508 [...] Read more.

(1) Background: Excessive use of chemical fertilizers accelerates soil acidification and increases greenhouse gas emissions. In this context, the farmland application of organic fertilizers not only reuses agricultural waste but also improves soil quality. (2) Methods: Two organic fertilizers made from chicken manure—G508 and G509—were field applied, implementing once or twice (denoted by X1 and X2, respectively) the recommended amount of nitrogen for three crops. In addition, an incubation experiment was conducted to assess the mineralization of the organic fertilizers. (3) Results: G508 did not undergo a composting process and, thus, had a higher content of nitrogen compared to G509. Therefore, although the soil properties improved under G509, the total mineral nitrogen released was lower than G508. Compared to chemical fertilizer treatment, the application of G508 and G509 increased the soil’s pH value, concentrations of organic matter, available phosphorus, and exchangeable concentrations of potassium, calcium, and magnesium. In addition, the crop yield under G508X2 treatment was even higher than that under chemical fertilizer treatment. (4) Conclusions: Although G508 and G509 were both processed using chicken manure, they exhibited different nutrient-release behaviors during mineralization and also had different influences on the soil properties and growth of the three crops. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Research and Extension in Agronomic Soil Fertility)

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13 pages, 2308 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Long-Term Field Biochar Application for Rice Production: Effects on Soil Nutrient Supply, Carbon Sequestration, Crop Yield and Grain Minerals

by Qiao Xu, Ji Wang, Qi Liu, Zhe Chen, Penghui Jin, Jiazhou Du, Jialu Fan, Weiqin Yin, Zubin Xie and Xiaozhi Wang

Agronomy 2022, 12(8), 1924; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12081924 - 15 Aug 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1819

Abstract

Research is still under-represented for the long-term impacts of field biochar application on soil fertility, rice production and mineral nutrition and soil C sequestration. To investigate these effects, a field trial was established in the fall of 2010 with low (2.4 t ha [...] Read more.

Research is still under-represented for the long-term impacts of field biochar application on soil fertility, rice production and mineral nutrition and soil C sequestration. To investigate these effects, a field trial was established in the fall of 2010 with low (2.4 t ha⁻¹), intermediate (6 t ha⁻¹) and high (12 t ha⁻¹) biochar doses. The biochar effect on soil nutrients is more pronounced in the surface soil and is dose dependent. In the surface soil, biochar application increased the availability of soil N, P and K. High dose decreased soil total Fe by 11.6% and Mn by 20.7%, leading to a slight but insignificant decrease in grain Fe and Mn concentration. The intermediate and high doses significantly increased the soil available Zn by 96.2% and 227.9% but did not affect the grain Zn concentration. Grain Cu concentration was significantly decreased by the intermediate (−19.6%) and high (−14.3%) dose of biochar. Biochar had a slight but insignificant boost on rice yield. Soil total C and N increased linearly with biochar application for the surface soil only where biochar was applied. In conclusion, with great soil C sequestration capacity, the long-term field return of biochar is beneficial for improving the soil macronutrient and Zn fertility, but caution is needed, as higher doses of biochar could potentially lead to a decrease in soil Fe and Mn and a reduction in grain Cu concentration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Research and Extension in Agronomic Soil Fertility)

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19 pages, 6071 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Legume/Maize Intercropping and N Application for Improved Yield, Quality, Water and N Utilization for Forage Production

by Haixing Zhang, Wei Shi, Shahzad Ali, Shenghua Chang, Qianmin Jia and Fujiang Hou

Agronomy 2022, 12(8), 1777; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12081777 - 28 Jul 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2380

Abstract

Legume/maize intercropping has been practiced in many countries as a sustainable cropping system, but the effects of intercropping legumes with maize together with N application rates on biomass yield, quality, water-use efficiency (WUE), and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) are limited under arid conditions [...] Read more.

Legume/maize intercropping has been practiced in many countries as a sustainable cropping system, but the effects of intercropping legumes with maize together with N application rates on biomass yield, quality, water-use efficiency (WUE), and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) are limited under arid conditions in Northwest China. Field experiments were carried out in arid areas of Northwest China from 2019 to 2020 with three planting patterns (LM: Dolichos lablab (Lablab purpureus L.)/silage maize (Zea mays L.) intercropping; FM: Fodder soybean (Glycine max L.)/silage maize intercropping; M: silage maize monoculture) and four N application levels (N1: 0 kg N ha⁻¹; N2: 120 kg N ha⁻¹; N3: 240 N kg ha⁻¹; N4: 360 N kg ha⁻¹). The results showed that nitrogen fertilizer had a significant (p < 0.01) effect on total yield, WUE, and various nutrient parameters and the interaction between planting mode and nitrogen fertilizer had no significant effect on the above indicators, but had a significant (p < 0.01) effect on NUE. Compared with N1, the N3 and N4 treatments significantly increased fresh and hay yield, crude protein yield, crude protein concentration, and crude fat concentration of maize, legumes, and the whole silage system, and decreased the concentration of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF). In comparison with N1, the 2-year average total biomass yield of N3 and N4 increased by 60.38% and 56.45%, respectively, and the total crude protein yield increased by 106.71% and 100.00%, respectively. High N input treatments (N3 and N4) significantly increased WUE_B (the WUE of legume and maize biomass), N concentration, N uptake, and NUE than N1, and the 2-year average NUE of N3 was 59.52% greater than that of N4. The results also show that LM and FM increased crude protein concentration and decreased NDF and ADF concentration compared with M, and the forage quality of LM was greater than that of FM. In contrast with M, LM and FM increased biomass yield by 3.70% and 1.72%, crude protein yield by 32.05% and 22.82%, and WUE_B by 10.49% and 6.02%, respectively. Application of 240 kg N ha⁻¹ in the Dolichos lablab–maize intercropping systems produced better dry biomass yield with increased forage qualities than other treatments, but the economic analysis is needed before making a recommendation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Research and Extension in Agronomic Soil Fertility)

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14 pages, 1782 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Increased Soil Fertility in Tea Gardens Leads to Declines in Fungal Diversity and Complexity in Subsoils

by Peng Yan, Chen Shen, Zhenhao Zou, Lichao Fan, Xin Li, Liping Zhang, Lan Zhang, Chunwang Dong, Jianyu Fu, Wenyan Han and Lingling Shi

Agronomy 2022, 12(8), 1751; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12081751 - 25 Jul 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1806

Abstract

Soil fungi are key drivers regulating processes between ecosystem fertility and plant growth; however, the responses of soil fungi community composition and diversity in deeper soil layers to the plantation and fertilization remain limited. Using soil samples along with vertical soil profile gradients [...] Read more.

Soil fungi are key drivers regulating processes between ecosystem fertility and plant growth; however, the responses of soil fungi community composition and diversity in deeper soil layers to the plantation and fertilization remain limited. Using soil samples along with vertical soil profile gradients with 0–10 cm, 0–20 cm, 20–40 cm, and 40–60 cm in a tea garden, we used Illumina sequencing to investigate the fungal diversity and assemblage complexity, and correlated to the low, middle, and high-level fertilize levels. The results showed that the fungal community dissimilarities were different between adjacent forests and tea gardens, with predominate groups changed from saprotrophs to symbiotrophs and pathotrophs after the forest converted to the tea garden. Additionally, the symbiotrophs were more sensitive to soil fertility than pathotrophs and saprotrophs. Subsoil fungal communities present lower diversity and fewer network connections under high soil fertility, which contrasted with the trends of topsoil fungi. Soil pH and nutrients were correlated with fungal diversity in the topsoils, while soil K and P concentrations showed significant effects in the subsoil. Overall, the soil fungal communities in tea gardens responded to soil fertility varied with soil vertical spatial locations, which can be explained by the vertical distribution of fungal species. It was revealed that fertility treatment could affect fungal diversity, and alter network structure and potential ecosystem function in tea garden subsoils. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Research and Extension in Agronomic Soil Fertility)

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15 pages, 2276 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Different Organic Fertilizers on Sweet Potato Growth and Rhizosphere Soil Properties in Newly Reclaimed Land

by Xuqing Li, Dingyi Li, Qiujun Lu, Daoze Wang, Xiaoxu Ren, Luqiong Lv, Temoor Ahmed, Jianli Yan and Bin Li

Agronomy 2022, 12(7), 1649; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12071649 - 10 Jul 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4268

Abstract

It is well known that soil fertility is poor in most newly reclaimed land, which has been developed as an effective way to compensate farmland occupation. In order to ameliorate the soil quality of the newly reclaimed land, this study investigated the effect [...] Read more.

It is well known that soil fertility is poor in most newly reclaimed land, which has been developed as an effective way to compensate farmland occupation. In order to ameliorate the soil quality of the newly reclaimed land, this study investigated the effect of commercial organic fertilizer (COF) (0.45, 0.90, 1.35 and 1.80 kg/m²), sheep manure (SM) (0.45, 0.75, 1.05 and 1.35 kg/m²), mushroom residue (MR) (1.50, 2.25, 3.00 and 3.75 kg/m²), and chemical compound fertilizer (CCF) (0.075 kg/m²) on the growth of sweet potato, soil pH, organic matter content (OMC), available phosphate, total nitrogen, available potassium, exchangeable Ca and Mg, as well as bacterial and fungal microbial composition during 2019–2021. The results from this study indicated that the COF, SM, MR, and CCF did not significantly change the soil pH, but significantly increased the OMC, which has been regarded as the most significant soil quality parameter. This suggests that the soil amendments used in this study have great potential to improve the soil quality in newly reclaimed land. However, these soil amendments exhibited a differential effect on sweet potato biomass, nutrient elements and the microbial community of the newly reclaimed soil, which depend on the kind and concentration of organic/chemical fertilizer, the application time, as well as the plant and soil parameters. The change was also observed on the bacterial and fungal soil microbial community, which provides us with a microbial basis to understand why organic fertilizer has a great effect on soil improvement. Overall, our results suggest that soil amended with organic fertilizers has great potential for the production of sweet potato in immature soil from the new reclamation land. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Research and Extension in Agronomic Soil Fertility)

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17 pages, 3765 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mathematical Models of Leaf Area Index and Yield for Grapevines Grown in the Turpan Area, Xinjiang, China

by Lijun Su, Wanghai Tao, Yan Sun, Yuyang Shan and Quanjiu Wang

Agronomy 2022, 12(5), 988; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12050988 - 20 Apr 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2098

Abstract

The Leaf Area Index (LAI) strongly influences crop biomass production and yields. The variation characteristic of LAI and the development of crop growth models can provide a theoretical basis for predicting crops’ water consumption, fruit quality and yields. This paper analyzes the relationship [...] Read more.

The Leaf Area Index (LAI) strongly influences crop biomass production and yields. The variation characteristic of LAI and the development of crop growth models can provide a theoretical basis for predicting crops’ water consumption, fruit quality and yields. This paper analyzes the relationship between measurements of aboveground grape biomass and trends in LAI and dry biomass production in grapes grown in the Turpan area. The LAI changes in grapes were estimated using the modified logistic model, the modified Gaussian model, the log-normal model, the cubic polynomial model, and the Gaussian model. Universal models of LAI were established in which the applied irrigation quota was applied to calculate the maximum LAI. The relationship between the irrigation quota and biomass production, yields, and the harvest index was investigated. The developed models could accurately predict the LAI of grapevines grown in an extremely arid area. However, the Gaussian and cubic polynomial models produced less accurate results than the other models tested. The Michaelis–Menten model analyzed the relationship between biomass and LAI, providing a numerical method for predicting dynamic changes in grapevine LAI. Moreover, the crop biomass increased linearly with the irrigation quota for quotas between 6375 and 13,200 m³/hm. This made it possible to describe the grape yield and harvest index with a quadratic polynomial function, which increases during the early stages of the growing season and then decreases. The analyses of the relationship between yield and harvest index provide important theoretical insights that can be used to improve water use efficiency in grape cultivation and to identify optimal irrigation quotas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Research and Extension in Agronomic Soil Fertility)

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18 pages, 1774 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chemical Composition of Plant Residues Regulates Soil Organic Carbon Turnover in Typical Soils with Contrasting Textures in Northeast China Plain

by Siyi Liu, Jiangye Li, Aizhen Liang, Yan Duan, Haibin Chen, Zhuyun Yu, Ruqin Fan, Haiyang Liu and Hong Pan

Agronomy 2022, 12(3), 747; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12030747 - 21 Mar 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3308

Abstract

Soil organic carbon (SOC) turnover plays a pivotal role in achieving C neutrality, promoting C retention and increasing soil fertility. Residue biochemistry and soil texture essentially determine SOC distribution (including CO₂ mineralization and stock in soil) in farmland. However, less is known [...] Read more.

Soil organic carbon (SOC) turnover plays a pivotal role in achieving C neutrality, promoting C retention and increasing soil fertility. Residue biochemistry and soil texture essentially determine SOC distribution (including CO₂ mineralization and stock in soil) in farmland. However, less is known about allocation of residue-C with contrasting biochemistry and the fate of residue-C in soil under two different textures. This study was conducted in a 61-day aerobic incubation with two Black soils with distinct texture (clay loam vs. sandy loam) in Northeast China. Chemical composition of seven residue parts (soybean roots, leaves, and stems and maize roots, leaves and top and bottom stem parts) was characterized using solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The results showed that leaves of both two crops contained significantly higher nitrogen (N), carbonyl and aryl concentrations and lower carbon (C) and lignin concentrations than other parts, resulted in faster decomposition in soils, especially in the clay loam. Stems contained higher O-alkyl and di-O-alkyl concentrations, C/N and lignin/N, while roots contained higher aromaticity. Maize top stem parts with larger slow C pool and longer half-life had higher contribution to SOC accumulation than other parts. Soil textures also induced great impact on SOC turnover. The clay loam favored SOC sequestration due to significantly longer half-life of slow C pool than the sandy loam. Generally, the alkyl/O-alkyl ratio showed the most significant correlation with SOC, CO₂ emission and soil biochemical factors in the clay loam; whereas in sandy loam, the lignin/N was the pivotal indicator for SOC accumulation. This study provides insights into the differences in chemical composition among various residue parts, and highlights the significant effects of both residue chemical composition and soil texture on residue decomposition and SOC accumulation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Research and Extension in Agronomic Soil Fertility)

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11 pages, 1453 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Combined Application of Mineral Fertilizer and Organic Amendments Improved the Stability of Soil Water-Stable Aggregates and C and N Accumulation

by Wenhai Mi, Chao Chen, Yingying Ma, Shaokang Guo, Mingyue Liu, Qiang Gao, Qicong Wu and Haitao Zhao

Agronomy 2022, 12(2), 469; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12020469 - 14 Feb 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1780

Abstract

Soil aggregate stability is one of the important physical properties affecting rice (Oryza sativa L.) production and soil sustainability. This study was undertaken to evaluate the influence of different medium-term fertilization regimes on soil aggregate stability and aggregate-associated carbon (C) and nitrogen [...] Read more.

Soil aggregate stability is one of the important physical properties affecting rice (Oryza sativa L.) production and soil sustainability. This study was undertaken to evaluate the influence of different medium-term fertilization regimes on soil aggregate stability and aggregate-associated carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in rhizosphere and bulk soil. This experiment consisted of three treatments, including mineral fertilizer alone (NPK), mineral fertilizer plus rice straw (NPK + RS), and controlled-release blended fertilizer plus cattle manure (CRF + CM). Although higher fertilizer costs were in the CRF + CM treatments, one-time application could save labor costs compared to the conventional split application of chemical fertilizers. The results showed that, compared to the NPK alone, the combined application of NPK with organic amendments improved the proportion of >0.25 mm macroaggregate, soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN) concentrations, and mean weight diameter (MWD) in both rhizosphere and bulk soil during the whole rice growing season. In rhizosphere, the proportion of macroaggregate was significantly positively (p < 0.01) correlated with root biomass while it had no significant correlation with SOC in the proportion of all sizes of aggregates. By contrast, bulk soil had a significantly (p < 0.01) positive relationship between the proportion of >2 mm class and organic C associated with smaller particle-sized aggregates (0.25–2 mm and <0.25 mm). In addition, the organic C associated with 0.25–2 mm showed the largest contribution of the total SOC content in all treatments during the rice growing stage. Overall, the results suggested that the medium-term application of mineral fertilizer with organic amendments was beneficial to improve soil aggregate stability and C and N accumulation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Research and Extension in Agronomic Soil Fertility)

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12 pages, 1404 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biochar Application Alleviated Rice Salt Stress via Modifying Soil Properties and Regulating Soil Bacterial Abundance and Community Structure

by Jing Huang, Chunquan Zhu, Yali Kong, Xiaochuang Cao, Lianfeng Zhu, Yongchun Zhang, Yunwang Ning, Wenhao Tian, Hui Zhang, Yijun Yu and Junhua Zhang

Agronomy 2022, 12(2), 409; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12020409 - 06 Feb 2022

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 2652

Abstract

Increased soil salinity significantly inhibits crop production worldwide, and biochar may alleviate salt stress. In the present study, the application of biochar significantly increased the biomass of rice under salt stress treatment. The analysis of soil properties demonstrated that biochar application significantly decreased [...] Read more.

Increased soil salinity significantly inhibits crop production worldwide, and biochar may alleviate salt stress. In the present study, the application of biochar significantly increased the biomass of rice under salt stress treatment. The analysis of soil properties demonstrated that biochar application significantly decreased electrical conductivity and soluble Na⁺ and Cl⁻ contents in the soil under salt stress. In addition, biochar application increased the soil cation exchange capacity, soil organic matter, humic acid, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus contents in the soil, suggesting that biochar improved the soil nutrient conditions. The application of biochar further increased the abundance of soil bacteria and changed the bacterial community structure under salt stress. Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Acidobacteria were the top three phyla in bacterial abundance. Biochar increased Proteobacteria abundance and decreased Chloroflexi abundance, which were considered to be eutrophic bacteria and oligotrophic bacteria, respectively. Redundancy analysis showed that soil bacterial communities were mainly affected by soil pH and EC (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the application of biochar alleviated salt stress in rice via modifying soil properties and regulating the bacterial abundance and community structure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Research and Extension in Agronomic Soil Fertility)

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10 pages, 1386 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Changes in Soil Organic Carbon and Its Labile Fractions after Land Conversion from Paddy Fields to Woodlands or Corn Fields

by Linlin Si, Wenhai Mi, Yan Sun, Wanghai Tao, Jihong Zhang and Lijun Su

Agronomy 2022, 12(1), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12010029 - 24 Dec 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3468

Abstract

Land use change could significantly affect soil organic carbon (SOC) and other soil chemical properties. However, the responses of soil labile C fractions at different soil depths to land-use change are not still clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the [...] Read more.

Land use change could significantly affect soil organic carbon (SOC) and other soil chemical properties. However, the responses of soil labile C fractions at different soil depths to land-use change are not still clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of paddy field conversion on woodlands or corn fields on total soil organic C (TOC) and its labile C fractions including particulate organic C (POC), microbial biomass C (MBC), and potassium permanganate-oxidizable C (KMnO₄–C) along a 0–100 cm soil profile. Our results indicate that soil TOC concentrations increased by 3.88 g kg⁻¹ and 3.47 g kg⁻¹ in the 0–5 cm soil layer and 5.33 g kg⁻¹ and 4.68 g kg⁻¹ in the 5–20 cm soil layer during 13 years after the conversion from paddy fields to woodlands and corn fields, respectively. In the 20–40 cm soil layer, the woodlands had the highest TOC concentration (12.3 g kg⁻¹), which was 5.13 g kg⁻¹ and 3.5 g kg⁻¹ higher than that of the paddy and corn fields, respectively. The increase in TOC was probably due to the absence of soil disturbance and greater root residue input into the woodland soil. In corn fields, pig manure addition contributed to the increase in soil organic C concentrations. In addition, the proportion of soil KMnO₄–C increased after conversion from paddy fields to woodlands or corn fields in the 0–40 cm soil layer, ranging from 39.9–56.6% for the woodlands and 24.6–32.9% for the corn fields. The soil POC content was significantly higher in woodland and corn field soils than in paddy field soils at lower soil depths (5–40 cm). However, there were no differences in MBC contents in the whole soil profile between the woodlands and paddy fields. The KMnO₄–C and MBC was the most important factor affecting the CMI values through the whole 0–100 cm soil profile. Overall, converting paddy fields to woodlands or corn fields increased the TOC and labile C fractions in the 0–40 cm soil layer. Future studies should focus on the response of the deeper soil C pool to land-use change. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Research and Extension in Agronomic Soil Fertility)

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14 pages, 3496 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Response of Plant Root Growth to Biochar Amendment: A Meta-Analysis

by Zhenhao Zou, Lichao Fan, Xin Li, Chunwang Dong, Liping Zhang, Lan Zhang, Jianyu Fu, Wenyan Han and Peng Yan

Agronomy 2021, 11(12), 2442; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11122442 - 30 Nov 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2580

Abstract

Biochar is widely used in agriculture to improve soil fertility and plant growth. However, a comprehensive assessment of how biochar amendment affects plant root growth is lacking. This study investigated the change in plant root biomass in response to biochar application, including impact [...] Read more.

Biochar is widely used in agriculture to improve soil fertility and plant growth. However, a comprehensive assessment of how biochar amendment affects plant root growth is lacking. This study investigated the change in plant root biomass in response to biochar application, including impact factors such as the biochar feedstock and application rate, plant type, and soil pH. The Science Direct, Web Of Science, and Scopus databases were employed to search for literature published before 2021. The published papers with at least three replicates of biochar-amended treatments and a control at the same site were selected for meta-analysis. Our results showed that 165 (81.3%) of 203 datasets from 47 published studies indicated positive effects of biochar amendment on root growth with a mean relative increase of 32%. The feedstocks of biochar and its rate of application were the main factors that determined its effects on plant root growth. The increment of root biomass following biochar amendment was the greatest for trees (+101.6%), followed by grasses (+66.0%), vegetables (+26.9%), and cereals (+12.7%). The positive effects mainly depended on feedstock sources, with the highest positive effect (+46.2%) for gramineous, followed by woody plants (+25.8%) and green wastes (+21.1%). Linear regression analysis and SEM (Structural equation modeling) analysis showed that total nitrogen (TN) and available phosphorus (AK) are one of the most important factors affecting the increase of root biomass. These results suggest that biochar can be considered an effective amendment to improve root growth and soil fertility. Biochar feedstock sources, application rates, and plant types should be considered to assess the potential benefits of biochar for root growth and soil quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Research and Extension in Agronomic Soil Fertility)

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