Effects of biochar produced from rice straw and oil cake on soil nutrients, growth, yield and nutrient content of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.4247

Keywords:

biochar, inorganic fertilizer, nutrient, sustainable amendments, wheat

Abstract

A pot experiment was conducted to assess the comparative effects of biochar and conventional inorganic NPK fertilizers on wheat growth and nutrient content as well as certain soil chemical and nutritional properties. Biochar produced from oil cake and rice straw were mixed with soils at rates of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5% (w/w) and inorganic NPK fertilizer was also mixed separately with soils at rates of 0, ¼, ½, ¾ and 1 of the recommended rate. Biochar increased the fresh weight and dry weight of wheat plant parts significantly. The root biomass and grain yield with oil cake biochar (OCB) were relatively higher than with rice straw biochar (RSB). Biochar application at a 4-5% rate produced maximum wheat root, straw and grain yield which were comparable to the recommended inorganic 1 NPK rate. The study revealed that oil cake biochar (OCB) was more effective in increasing soil organic carbon (OC), whereas rice straw biochar (RSB) was found to be more effective in raising soil pH, soil electrical conductivity (EC) and decreasing soil exchangeable acidity. A similar effect on soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) was also observed with both types of biochar. The soil available ammonium N (NH4 +-N), Olsen P and K content increased with increasing rates of both biochar and inorganic NPK in soils after the harvest of plants. Applying biochar at a rate of 5% resulted in the highest effect on the soil’s chemical and nutritional properties. Maximum N, P and K concentrations in wheat root, straw and grain were found at 4-5% biochar rates, which were significantly higher than inorganic NPK fertilizer rates.

Downloads

References

Wang K, Hou J, Zhang S, Hu W, Yi G, Chen W, et al. Preparation of a new biochar-based microbial fertilizer: Nutrient release patterns and synergistic mechanisms to improve soil fertility. Sci Total Environ. 2023;860:160478. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160478

Hossain MF, Piash MI, Parveen Z. Effect of biochar and fertilizer application on the growth and nutrient accumulation of rice and vegetable in two contrast soils. Acta Sci Agric. 2019;3(3):74–83.

Partey ST, Preziosi RF, Robson GD. Short-term interactive effects of biochar, green manure and inorganic fertilizer on soil properties and agronomic characteristics of maize. Agric Res. 2014;3(2):128–36. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40003-014-0102-1

Lehmann J, Joseph S. Biochar for environmental management: An introduction. In: Lehmann J, Joseph S, editors. Biochar for Environ Manage: Sci and Technol. Earthscan, London; 2009. pp.1–12. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003297673-1

Lehmann J, Joseph S, editors. Biochar systems. In: Biochar for environmental management. Routledge; 2012. pp. 179–200. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781849770552

Wang D, Fonte SJ, Parikh SJ, Six J, Scow KM. Biochar additions can enhance soil structure and the physical stabilization of C in aggregates. Geoderma. 2017;303:110–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2017.05.027

Smetanová A, Dotterweich M, Diehl D, Ulrich U, Dotterweich NF. Influence of biochar and terra preta substrates on wettability and erodibility of soils. Z Geomorp Supp. 2013;57(1):111–34. https://doi.org/ 10.1127/0372-8854/2012/S-00117

Maroušek J, Kolá? L, Vochozka M, Stehel V, Maroušková A. Biochar reduces nitrate level in red beet. Environ Sci Pollut Res. 2018;25:18200–03. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-2329-z

Blakeslee TR. Biochar: the key to carbon-negative biofuels. Renewable Energy World. Clearlight Foundation. 2009;4:2009.

Vochozka M, Maroušková A, Váchal J, Straková J. Biochar pricing hampers biochar farming. Clean Technol Environ Policy. 2016;18(4):1225–31. https://doi.org/ 10.1007/s10098-016-1113-3

Hasnain M, Munir N, Abideen Z, Zulfiqar F, Koyro HW, El-Naggar A, et al. Biochar-plant interaction and detoxification strategies under abiotic stresses for achieving agricultural resilience: A critical review. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2023;249:114408. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.114408

Khalil FW, Abdel-Salam M, Abbas MH, Abuzaid AS. Implications of acidified and non-acidified biochars on N and K availability and their uptake by maize plants. Egypt J Soil Sci. 2023;63(1):101–12. https://doi.org/10.21608/ejss.2023.184654.1560

Yang Y, Ye C, Zhang W, Zhu X, Li H, Yang D, et al. Elucidating the impact of biochar with different carbon/nitrogen ratios on soil biochemical properties and rhizosphere bacterial communities of flue-cured tobacco plants. Front Plant Sci. 2023;14:1250669. https://doi.org/ 10.3389/fpls.2023.1250669

Strunecký O, Shreedhar S, Kolá? L, Maroušková A. Changes in soil water retention following biochar amendment. Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization and Environ Effects. 2021;pp.1–9. https://doi.org/10.1080/15567036.2021.1916652

Marousek J, Gavurova B, Marouskova A. Cost breakdown indicates that biochar production from microalgae in central Europe requires innovative cultivation procedures. Energy Nexus. 2024;16:100335. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nexus.2024.100335

Khatun M, Hossain M, Joardar JC. Quantifying the acceptance and adoption dynamics of biochar and co-biochar as a sustainable soil amendment. Plant Sci Today. 2024;11(2):307–17. https://doi.org/10.14719/ pst.3242

Rosmiza MZ, Davies WP, Rosniza AC, Jabil MJ, Mazdi M, Toren WW, Rosmawati CC. Developing more green agribusiness: The case for exploiting Malaysia’s under-utilised rice straw. Mediterr J Soc Sci. 2015;6. https://doi.org/10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n3s2p532

Ghorai AK, Saha S, Chakraborty AK. Concentrated jute and mesta leaf manures: Its role on summer radish production and its comparative performance with mustard oil cake. Indo-Am J Agric Vet Sci. 2014;2(1):26–30.

Pollnow J. Biochar feedstock research using a two-barrel nested retort. Kerr Center for Sustain Agri, Poteau, Oklahoma, United States; 2014

BARC. Fertilizer recommendation guide. Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council, Farmgate, Dhaka; 2012. p. 274

Day PR. Particle fraction and particle size analysis. In: Black CA, editor. Methods of soil analysis, ASA, Madison; 1965. pp. 545–67. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronmonogr9.1.c43

USDA. Soil survey manual. Soil Survey Staff. Bureau of Plant Industry, Soil and Agricultural Engineering. Handbook No. 18: 205. US Govt. Printing Office, Washington DC; 1951

Pansu M, Gautheyrou J. Handbook of soil analysis: mineralogical, organic and inorganic methods. Springer, Heidelberg; 2006 https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-31211-6

Walkley A, Black IA. An examination of the Degtjareff method for determining soil organic matter and a proposed modification of the chromic acid titration method. Soil Sci. 1934;37(1):29–38. https://doi.org/10.1097/00010694-193401000-00003

Jackson ML. Soil chemical analysis. Prentice-Hall Inc., Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey; 1973

Olsen SR, Sommers LE. Phosphorus. In: Page AL, Miller RH, Keeny RH, editors. Methods of soil analysis. Part 2. Chemical and microbiological properties. Agron. No. 9, 2nd ed. American Society of Agronomy, Madison, WI; 1982. pp. 403–30 https://doi.org/10.2134/agronmonogr9.2.2ed.c24

Knudsen D, Peterson GA, Pratt PF. Lithium, sodium, potassium. In: Page AL, Miller RH, Keeney DR, editors. Methods of soil analysis. Part 2: Chemical and microbiological properties. 2nd ed. Madison, Soil Science Society of America; 1982. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronmonogr9.2.2ed.c13

Allen E, Grimshaw HM, Parkinson JA, Quamby C, Roberts JD. Chemical analysis. In: Moore PD, Chapman SB, editors. Methods in plant ecology. Blackwell Scientific, London; 1986. pp. 285–344

Murphy JA, Riley JP. A modified single solution method for the determination of phosphate in natural waters. Anal Chim Acta. 1962;27:31–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-2670(00)88444-5

Wang M, Zhu Y, Cheng L, Andserson B, Zhao X, Wang D, Ding A. Review on utilization of biochar for metal-contaminated soil and sediment remediation. J Environ Sci. 2018;63:156–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jes.2017.08.004

Purakayastha TJ, Bera T, Bhaduri D, Sarkar B, Mandal S, Wade P, et al. A review on biochar modulated soil condition improvements and nutrient dynamics concerning crop yields: pathways to climate change mitigation and global food security. Chemosphere. 2019;227:345–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.03.170

Vaccari FP, Baronti S, Lugato E, Genesio L, Castaldi S, Fornasier F, Miglietta F. Biochar as a strategy to sequester carbon and increase yield in durum wheat. Eur J Agron. 2011;34(4):231–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eja.2011.01.006

Ahmad M, Rajapaksha AU, Lim JE, Zhang M, Bolan N, Mohan D, et al. Biochar as a sorbent for contaminant management in soil and water: a review. Chemosphere. 2014;99:19–33. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2013.10.071

Ahmed A, Kurian J, Raghavan V. Biochar influences on agricultural soils, crop production and the environment: a review. Environ Rev. 2016;24(4):495–502. https://doi.org/10.1139/er-2016-0008

Song D, Tang J, Xi X, Zhang S, Liang G, Zhou W, Wang X. Responses of soil nutrients and microbial activities to additions of maize straw biochar and chemical fertilization in a calcareous soil. Eur J Soil Biol. 2018;84:1–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejsobi.2017.11.003

Sigua GC, Novak JM, Watts DW, Johnson MG, Spokas K. Efficacies of designer biochars in improving biomass and nutrient uptake of winter wheat grown in a hard setting subsoil layer. Chemosphere. 2016;142:176–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.06.015

Chen W, Meng J, Han X, Lan Y, Zhang W. Past, present and future of biochar. Biochar. 2019;1:75–87. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-019-00008-3

Berihun T, Tolosa S, Tadele M, Kebede F. Effect of biochar application on growth of garden pea (Pisum sativum L.) in acidic soils of Bule Woreda Gedeo Zone Southern Ethiopia. Int J Agron. 2017;2017:1–8. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/6827323

Karimi A, Moezzi A, Chorom M, Enayatizamir N. Application of biochar changed the status of nutrients and biological activity in a calcareous soil. J Soil Sci Plant Nutr. 2019;20:450–59. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-019-00129-5

Amonette J, Joseph S. Characteristics of biochar: micro-chemical properties. In: Lehmann J, Joseph S, editors. Biochar for environmental management: science and technology. London: Earthscan; 2009. pp. 33–52

Saxena J, Rana G, Pandey M. Impact of addition of biochar along with Bacillus sp. on growth and yield of French beans. Scientia Horticulturae. 2013;162:351–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2013.08.002

Filiberto DM, Gaunt JL. Practicality of biochar additions to enhance soil and crop productivity. Agri. 2013;3(4):715–25. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture3040715

Cheng CH, Lehmann J, Engelhard MH. Natural oxidation of black carbon in soils: changes in molecular form and surface charge along a climosequence. Geochim Cosmochim Acta. 2008;72(6):1598–610. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2008.01.010

Yan P, Shen C, Zou Z, Fu J, Li X, Zhang L, et al. Biochar stimulates tea growth by improving nutrients in acidic soil. Scientia Horticulturae. 2021;283:110078. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2021.110078

Mandal S, Sarkar B, Bolan N, Novak J, Ok YS, Zwieten VL, et al. Designing advanced biochar products for maximizing greenhouse gas mitigation potential. Crit Rev Environ Sci Technol. 2016;46(17):1367–401. https://doi.org/10.1080/10643389.2016.1239975

Zhai L, CaiJi Z, Liu J, Wang H, Ren T, Gai X, et al. Short-term effects of maize residue biochar on phosphorus availability in two soils with different phosphorus sorption capacities. Biol Fertil Soils. 2014;51:113–22. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-014-0954-3

DeLuca TH, Gundale MJ, MacKenzie MD, Jones DL. Biochar effects on soil nutrient transformations. In Lehmann J, Joseph S, editors. Biochar for environment management; 2009. pp. 251–80

Igalavithana AD, Ok YS, Usman AR, Al?Wabel MI, Oleszczuk P, Lee SS. The effects of biochar amendment on soil fertility. Agricultural and environmental applications of biochar: Advances and barriers; 2016. 63:123–44 https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaspecpub63.2014.0040

Abrishamkesh S, Gorji M, Asadi H, Bagheri-Marandi GH, Pourbabaee AA. Effects of rice husk biochar application on the properties of alkaline soil and lentil growth. Plant Soil Environ. 2015;61(11):475–82. https://doi.org/10.17221/117/2015-PSE

Gul S, Whalen JK. Biochemical cycling of nitrogen and phosphorus in biochar-amended soils. Soil Biol Biochem. 2016;103:1–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2016.08.001

Syuhada AB, Shamshuddin J, Fauziah CI, Rosenani AB, Arifin A. Biochar as soil amendment: Impact on chemical properties and corn nutrient uptake in a Podzol. Can J Soil Sci. 2016;96(4):400–12. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjss-2015-0044

Published

03-04-2025 — Updated on 13-04-2025

Versions

How to Cite

1.
Md. Enamul H, Khan Towhid O, Md. Abul K. Effects of biochar produced from rice straw and oil cake on soil nutrients, growth, yield and nutrient content of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Plant Sci. Today [Internet]. 2025 Apr. 13 [cited 2025 Apr. 29];12(2). Available from: https://horizonepublishing.com/journals/index.php/PST/article/view/4247

Issue

Section

Research Articles