Biochar Characteristics and Effects on Phosphorus Availability and Dynamics in Tropical Soils

View/ Open
Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Chen, Chengrong
Other Supervisors
Boyd, Sue
Gray, Evan
Year published
2016
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Phosphorus (P) is a limiting nutrient for crops in many parts of the world, especially in the tropics, due to low P availability in soils. Biochar has attracted increasing attention as a potential soil conditioner, due to its ability to increase P availability in soils. However, how biochar contributes to P availability and influences P transformation in soils is largely unknown. This PhD research project (a) investigated changes in biochar characteristics as a function of feedstock type and pyrolysis temperature, including biochar chemical composition and structures; (b) assessed P availability in four biochar thermosequences ...
View more >Phosphorus (P) is a limiting nutrient for crops in many parts of the world, especially in the tropics, due to low P availability in soils. Biochar has attracted increasing attention as a potential soil conditioner, due to its ability to increase P availability in soils. However, how biochar contributes to P availability and influences P transformation in soils is largely unknown. This PhD research project (a) investigated changes in biochar characteristics as a function of feedstock type and pyrolysis temperature, including biochar chemical composition and structures; (b) assessed P availability in four biochar thermosequences and P transformation during pyrolysis using a sequential extraction scheme in combination with 31P NMR studies; (c) assessed the ability of different biochars to retain phosphate and investigated corresponding retention mechanisms, and (d) investigated effects of biochar amendments on P availability and transformation in tropical soils under precisely-controlled laboratory conditions, over a short time period (12 weeks), and under field conditions over a longer time period (≥1 years).
View less >
View more >Phosphorus (P) is a limiting nutrient for crops in many parts of the world, especially in the tropics, due to low P availability in soils. Biochar has attracted increasing attention as a potential soil conditioner, due to its ability to increase P availability in soils. However, how biochar contributes to P availability and influences P transformation in soils is largely unknown. This PhD research project (a) investigated changes in biochar characteristics as a function of feedstock type and pyrolysis temperature, including biochar chemical composition and structures; (b) assessed P availability in four biochar thermosequences and P transformation during pyrolysis using a sequential extraction scheme in combination with 31P NMR studies; (c) assessed the ability of different biochars to retain phosphate and investigated corresponding retention mechanisms, and (d) investigated effects of biochar amendments on P availability and transformation in tropical soils under precisely-controlled laboratory conditions, over a short time period (12 weeks), and under field conditions over a longer time period (≥1 years).
View less >
Thesis Type
Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Degree Program
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
School
Griffith School of Environment
Copyright Statement
The author owns the copyright in this thesis, unless stated otherwise.
Item Access Status
Public
Subject
Phosphorus
Biochar
Peanut shell as biochar
Sugarcane as biochar
Soils, Tropical areas