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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Bowling Green, Kentucky » Food Animal Environmental Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #300954
Title: Combination of biochar and poultry litter impact on soil properties and corn yield

Author
item Sistani, Karamat
item Simmons, Jason
item JN-BAPTISTE, MARCIA - Non ARS Employee

Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/10/2013
Publication Date: 11/5/2013
Citation: Sistani, K.R., Simmons, J.R., Jn-Baptiste, M. 2013. Combination of biochar and poultry litter impact on soil properties and corn yield. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts. Abstract.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Biochar, a by-product of a thermochemical process called pyrolysis, which involves burning of any agricultural and animal waste (biomass) under high temperature and absence of oxygen. It is assumed that since biochar is very high in aromatic carbon, which persists in soil environment for very long time. Biochar has a porous physical nature that can be used by microorganisms; also as soil conditioner, it improves soil quality parameters such as soil compaction, infiltration rate, water holding capacity, nutrient exchange capacity (CEC), aggregation and aggregate stability, organic carbon build up, soil reaction (pH), and soil microbial ecology. In this process, soil acts as an enormous C sink, which could significantly contribute to the reduction of CO2 in the atmosphere. Our objective was to evaluate biochar application impact on soil and corn grain yield in comparison with chemical fertilizer and animal manure. Treatments included: Biochar at the rate of 9.5 T/A; Biochar + poultry manure (9.5 T/A + Poultry litter to provide 200 lb N/A); Biochar + Chemical fertilizers (9.5 T/A + NPK at 200 lb N/A); Poultry litter at the rate to provide 200 lb N/A; Chemical fertilizers at the rate of 200 lb N/A plus P and K as needed; and Control, nothing added. Corn grain yield in 2010 and 2011 were lower than 2013 due to drought and hail damage during the growing seasons. No significant differences among treatments in regard to corn yield in 2010 and 2011. In 2013 (an optimum year), biochar treatment produced significantly lower corn grain yield than chemical fertilizer, poultry litter, and combination of biochar and poultry litter.