Effects of pelleted sugarcane biochar applications on growth, yield and economics of rainfed corn (Zea mays L.) in the Mississippi Delta

Authors: PINNAMANENI, SRINIVASA - Oak Ridge Institute For Science And Education (ORISE); Anapalli, Saseendran; Lima, Isabel; BOONE, STEPHANIE - University Of Arizona; Beacorn, Jean; Bellaloui, Nacer; Reddy, Krishna

Submitted to: Industrial Crops and Products
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/12/2023
Publication Date: 8/26/2023
Citation: Pinnamaneni, S., Anapalli, S.S., Lima, I.M., Boone, S.A., Beacorn, J.A., Bellaloui, N., Reddy, K.N. 2023. Effects of pelleted sugarcane biochar applications on growth, yield and economics of rainfed corn (Zea mays L.) in the Mississippi Delta. Industrial Crops and Products. Industrial Crops & Products 204 (2023) 117318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2023.117318.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2023.117318

Interpretive Summary: Utilization of plant residues as a soil amendment is widely considered as a safe and impactful conservation agricultural practice to enhance crop productivity and soil health. Biochar is one such plant residue derived product considered to improve soil water holding capacity. However, there are no studies on the impact of biochar on corn productivity in humid Mississippi Delta. To address this, scientists at the USDA-ARS, Crop Production Systems Research Unit and Sustainable Water Management Research Unit, Stoneville, MS, Commodity Utilization Research Unit, New Orleans, LA, and University of Arizona, Tuscon, AZ conducted a 3-yr. (2019-2021) field study by applying sugarcane bagasse derived biochar at 0, 5, 10, 15, and 25 t/ha in rainfed corn production. The results of the study indicated that no significant impact on grain yield in the first year, but grain yield increased by 5.4 to 12.6% and 8 to 16.0% during second and third year, respectively. These improved grain yields with biochar did not result in increased net returns owing to the significant increase in production costs, particularly due to the costs associated with large quantities of biochar application.

Technical Abstract: Applications of biochar as a soil amendment can improve soil health and crop productivity. A field study was conducted during 2019-2021 to assess rainfed corn (Zea mays L.) production applied with sugarcane bagasse biochar at five application rates (0, 5, 10, 15, and 25 t ha-1) in a Dundee silt loam soil. The effects of biochar on rainfed corn growth, grain yield, and grain quality were examined. Biochar significantly improved grain yields in the second and third years of application. Grain yield increases varied between 5.4 and 12.6 %, and 8 and 16.0 % in 2020 and 2021, respectively. In the third year, grain yields were 10.64, 11.50, 11.97, 12.14, and 12.35 Mg ha-1 at 0, 5, 10, 15, and 25 Mg ha-1 biochar levels, respectively. Grain quality was not impacted by biochar application, except protein content. This study demonstrated that successive biochar applications at rates of 5 Mg ha-1 and higher can enhance corn grain yield under rainfed conditions. These improved grain yields with biochar did not translate to increased net returns due to the disproportionate increase in production costs, particularly due to the costs associated with large quantities of biochar applications. However, the potential benefits of longer-term continuous use of biochar in corn production merit further investigation as producers are concerned about the availability, distance between the field of application and source, and quantity required for a significant impact on farm returns.