Mechanisms for Increasing the pH Buffering Capacity of an Acidic Ultisol by Crop Residue-Derived Biochars

Abstract

The effects and underlying mechanisms of crop residue-derived biochars on the pH buffering capacity (pHbuff) of an acidic Ultisol, with low pHbuff, were investigated through indoor incubation and simulated acidification experiments. The incorporation of biochars significantly increased soil pHbuff with the magnitude of the increase dependent on acid buffering capacity of the biochar incorporated to the soil. Cation release, resulting from the protonation of carboxyl groups on biochar surfaces and the dissolution of carbonates, was the predominant mechanism responsible for the increase in soil pHbuff at pH 4.0-7.0 and accounted for >67% of the increased pHbuff. The reaction of protons with soluble silica (Si) in biochars derived from rice straw and corn stover also accounted for ∼20% of the pHbuff increase due to H₃SiO₄^- precipitation. In conclusion, the incorporation of crop residue-derived biochars into acidic soils increased soil pHbuff with peanut stover biochar being the most effective biochar tested.