Combined biochar and manure addition to an agricultural soil benefits fertility, microbial activity, and mitigates manure-induced CO2 emissions

0578774 - ÚCHP 2025 RIV GB eng J - Journal Article
Lebrun, M. - Zahid, Z. - Bednik, M. - Medynska-Juraszek, A. - Száková, J. - Brtnický, M. - Holátko, J. - Bourgerie, S. - Beesley, L. - Pohořelý, Michael - Macků, J. - Hnátková, T. - Trkal, L.
Combined biochar and manure addition to an agricultural soil benefits fertility, microbial activity, and mitigates manure-induced CO2 emissions.
Soil Use and Management. Roč. 40, č. 1 (2024), č. článku e12997. ISSN 0266-0032. E-ISSN 1475-2743
R&D Projects: GA MZe(CZ) QK1910056
Institutional support: RVO:67985858
Keywords : manured biochar * carbon stability * CO2 emission
OECD category: Energy and fuels
Impact factor: 3.8, year: 2022
Method of publishing: Limited access

The importance of blending biochar into manure prior to its application as a soil amendment has been investigated in this study, hypothesizing increase in soil fertility, improvement in microbial aktivity, and reduction in manure-induced CO2 emissions. Biochar was mixed with manure (50:50 V/V) and aged in field conditions for 6 months. Subsequently, pristine biochar, manure, and manured biochar (50:50 V/V) were incorporated into a drought-prone Regosol present at the farm. All treatments and soil mixtures were incubated, with measurements of CO2 emissions taken using a coupled column respirometer set up, whilst nutrient availabilities as well as enzymatic activities were also tested. Demonstrable benefits of the biochar when blended to manure were exemplified in reduced CO2 emissions, by 60 % compared to manure alone, and improved C and N acquisition bymicroorganisms. When applied to soil, blended biochar-manure did not enhance CO2 emissions, but did significantly improve soil fertility though not resulting in a leaching of non-consumed nutrients by plants from the soil (e.g., NO3 by 58 %). A significant increase in functional diversity indices in the presence of manured biochar highlights the added value of the blended approach. A consequent field test showed lower effects, however, in this case, manure induced a higher carbon and nitrogen mineralization (thus potentially higher C and N emissions via CO2, CH4 and N2O) as well as a higher microbial functional diversity.
Permanent Link: https://hdl.handle.net/11104/0347689