Skip to main content
ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Parlier, California » San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center » Water Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #337681
Title: Effects of biochar amendment and fertilizer sources on serrano chili pepper yield, uptake, and nitrogen fate

Author
item Perez-Sandoval, Julio
item Gao, Suduan
item Shenk, Robert
item Hendratna, Aileen

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/27/2017
Publication Date: 1/31/2017
Citation: Perez-Sandoval, J.C., Gao, S., Shenk, R.J., Hendratna, A. 2017. Effects of biochar amendment and fertilizer sources on serrano chili pepper yield, uptake, and nitrogen fate. California Plant & Soil Conference, January 31-February 1, 2017, Fresno, California. p. 139.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Efficient nitrogen (N) management strategies are a key approach in addressing the increase of food demand and environmental protection. Failing to achieve adequate nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in agricultural systems can cause damaging outcomes including degradative water quality, increase in greenhouse gas emissions, and economic loss. Understanding balanced and appropriate uses of inorganic and organic nitrogen fertilizers can improve NUE, increase overall crop yield, and preserve environmental quality. The objective of this research is to determine the effectiveness of biochar amendment and nitrogen fertilizer sources on NUE improvement in serrano pepper production. A field pot experiment was conducted with treatments of biochar amendments and various combinations of inorganic and organic N fertilizers. Although the first year data did not show significant differences in pepper yield, biochar amendment and incorporation of organic N at lower ratio appeared to increase total plant N uptake. During the growing season, NH3 volatilization increased after fertilization events, but with lower or delayed peaks from organic N. Nitrous oxide production was reduced in soil profile from both biochar amendment and organic N source. We continue this study to determine the long term benefits of N source and soil amendment for crop production.