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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Parlier, California » San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center » Water Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #341664
Research Project: Develop Water Management Strategies to Sustain Water Productivity and Protect Water Quality in Irrigated Agriculture

Location: Water Management Research

Title: The fate of nitrogen affected by biochar and fertilizer source

Author
item DUAN, YINGHUA - Chinese Academy Of Sciences
item Gao, Suduan

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/11/2017
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Continuous improvement of nitrogen (N) use efficiency (NUE) and minimizing environmental loss is necessary to address the issues related to N fertilizer use in agronomic systems. The objective of this research was to determine the effectiveness of biochar amendment and fertilizer source on NUE improvement in chili (serrano) pepper production under drip irrigation. A field micro-plot experiment was conducted. Treatments included different rates of biochar amendments (0, 10, 30, and 50 ton/ha) with synthetic (inorganic) fertilizer, and combinations of organic N fertilizer (True Organic® 4-4-2) at 50, 75, and 100% of total N supply, and a non-fertilized and no biochar treated control. Plant uptake, ammonium volatilization, and nitrous oxide production in soil profile were determined. Data from the first year showed the 30 ton/ha biochar and the 50:50 inorganic/organic N treatments resulted in the highest pepper yield that was significantly higher than the non-fertilized control, 50 ton/ha biochar, and 100% organic-N treatments. All treatments showed higher N concentrations in pepper fruits than in the leaves and branches, but not in total mass. Neither biochar nor organic N appeared reducing NH3 volatilization rates except a delayed peak from organic N. Nitrous oxide production in soil, however, appears to be reduced by both biochar and organic N. At the end of first crop season, N in subsurface layer (25-75 cm) was decreased the most indicating where pepper plants most likely take up N. The field results can assist in developing effective N management practices for increasing NUE and reducing total loss to the environment.