Effect of Three Different Qualities of Biochar on Selected Soil Properties

Abstract

An incubation study was conducted to determine how biochar interacts with a nitrogen fertilizer and how it reacts in the soil as well as to measure the effect of different biochars on soil chemical properties. Two Iowa soils, Nicollet surface soil (fine-loamy, mixed, superactive, mesic Aquic Hapludoll) and Storden subsoil (fine-loamy, mixed, superactive, mesic Eutrudept), were mixed with three different qualities of biochar and a nitrogen fertilizer (urea). The biochar was created from corn stover that was pyrolized with three different amounts of atmospheric air: 0% (biochar 1), 10% (biochar 2), and 25% (biochar 3). Soil tests for pH, total nitrogen (N), extractable phosphorus (P), extractable potassium (K), ammonium N, nitrate N, organic matter, and total carbon (C) were performed. The different biochars significantly affected the total N, total organic C, and pH in both soils at all rates of urea applied. The conditions during pyrolysis influenced how the biochar/fertilizer reacted with the soil.