Effects of nitrogen-enriched biochar on rice growth and yield, iron dynamics, and soil carbon storage and emissions: A tool to improve sustainable rice cultivation
File version
Author(s)
Penuelas, Josep
Sardans, Jordi
Xu, Xuping
Chen, Youyang
Fang, Yunying
Wu, Liangquan
Singh, Bhupinder Pal
Tavakkoli, Ehsan
Wang, Weiqi
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
Size
File type(s)
Location
License
Abstract
Biochar is often applied to paddy soils as a soil improver, as it retains nutrients and increases C sequestration; as such, it is a tool in the move towards C-neutral agriculture. Nitrogen (N) fertilizers have been excessively applied to rice paddies, particularly in small farms in China, because N is the major limiting factor for rice production. In paddy soils, dynamic changes in iron (Fe) continuously affect soil emissions of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2); however, the links between Fe dynamics and greenhouse gas emissions, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and rice yields following application of biochar remain unclear. The aims of this study were to examine the effects of two rates of nitrogen (N)-enriched biochar (4 and 8 t ha−1 y−1) on paddy soil C emissions and storage, rice yields, and Fe dynamics in subtropical early and late rice growing seasons. Field application of N-enriched biochar at 4 and 8 t ha−1 increased C emissions in early and late rice, whereas application at 4 t ha−1 significantly increased rice yields. The results of a culture experiment and a field experiment showed that the application of N-enriched biochar increased soil Fe2+ concentration. There were positive correlations between Fe2+ concentrations and soil CO2, CH4, and total C emissions, and with soil DOC concentrations. On the other way around, these correlations were negative for soil Fe3+ concentrations. In the soil culture experiment, under the exclusion of plant growth, N-enriched biochar reduced cumulative soil emissions of CH4 and CO2. We conclude that moderate inputs of N-rich biochar (4 t ha−1) increase rice crop yield and biomass, and soil DOC concentrations, while moderating soil cumulative C emissions, in part, by the impacts of biochar on soil Fe dynamics. We suggest that water management strategies, such as dry-wet cycles, should be employed in rice cultivation to increase Fe2+ oxidation for the inhibition of soil CH4 and CO2 production. Overall, we showed that application of 4 t ha−1 of N-enriched biochar may represent a potential tool to improve sustainable food production and security, while minimizing negative environmental impacts.
Journal Title
Environmental Pollution
Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume
287
Issue
Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement
Item Access Status
Note
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject
Agriculture, land and farm management
Soil sciences
Science & Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Environmental Sciences
Environmental Sciences & Ecology
Soil environmental factors
Persistent link to this record
Citation
Yin, X; Penuelas, J; Sardans, J; Xu, X; Chen, Y; Fang, Y; Wu, L; Singh, BP; Tavakkoli, E; Wang, W, Effects of nitrogen-enriched biochar on rice growth and yield, iron dynamics, and soil carbon storage and emissions: A tool to improve sustainable rice cultivation, Environmental Pollution, 2021, 287, pp. 117565