scholarly journals Biochar Effects on Soil Physiochemical Properties in Degraded Managed Ecosystems in Northeastern Bangladesh

Soil Systems ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 69
Author(s):  
Md. Rezaul Karim ◽  
Md Abdul Halim ◽  
Nigel V. Gale ◽  
Sean C. Thomas

A body of emerging research shows the promise of charcoal soil amendments (“biochars”) in restoring fertility in degraded agricultural and forest soils. “Sustainable biochars” derived from locally produced waste biomass and produced near the application site are of particular interest. We tested the effects of surface applications of wood-derived biochars (applied at 7.5 t·ha−1) on soil physiochemical properties (N, P, K, pH, soil moisture content, organic matter content, and bulk density) in three land-use types: agriculture (Camellia sinensis monoculture), agroforestry (C. sinensis with shade trees), and secondary forest (Dipterocarpus dominated) assessed over seven months. We found significant positive effects of biochar on soil physiochemical properties in all land-use types, with the strongest responses in the most degraded tea monoculture sites. Although biochar had no significant effect on soil N and K, it improved soil P—the primary nutrient most commonly limiting in tropical soils. Biochar also enhanced soil moisture and organic matter content, reduced bulk density, and increased soil pH in monoculture sites. Our results support the general hypothesis that biochar can improve the fertility of degraded soils in agricultural and forest systems in Bangladesh and suggest that biochar additions may be of great benefit to the most degraded soils.

Author(s):  
Claudia Wheler

Changes in land management can have a significant impact on soil quality, which can change the capacity of land to provide essential services to society. We explored the impact of land-use change and land management on an organic farm near Seeley’s Bay, Ontario on a Gananoque Clay soil. Three replicate soil samples were collected to a depth of 40cm (10 cm increments) from a native forest (never cultivated), a field producing hay for over 10 years, and a tilled field used to grow a variety of vegetables. The soils were analyzed by the entire class (GPHY 317) for bulk density, particle-size distribution, organic matter content, pH, soil colour, microbial biomass, and microbial activity. After reviewing the results, we found thegreatest decline in soil quality (using the forest soil as a “reference” for the area) was the tilled field for vegetable production. The tilled site had a higher average bulk density of 1.34g/cc compared to forests bulk density of 0.88g/cc. The forest had a higher average organic matter content of 5% versus an average of 4% found at the tilled site. Additionally, the tilled site had a higher pH (5.8 vs. 4.9) likely due to intermittent liming, and lower water holding capacity. The compilation of the results illustrates the true affects land-management has on soil quality. By understanding the impacts of different land-use methods society can modify current practices to help increase soil quality and prevent the loss of the critical services that healthy soil provides to society. 


2013 ◽  
Vol 361-363 ◽  
pp. 1024-1027
Author(s):  
Yang Liu ◽  
Zhong Ping Qiu ◽  
Jun Ru Shen ◽  
Yue Hu ◽  
Yin Yin Liu ◽  
...  

By study features of recovering vegetation and physics and chemistry characters of soil in embankment slopes of 3 years and10 years respectively, the correlation among those factors were investigated . The results show: the physics and chemistry characters of soil vary observably with recovering process; Soil bulk density decreases while soil moisture,TP,TNand organic matter content increase evidently; Although the coverage of vegetation changes little, the structure of vegetation community becomes more complex and spatial distribution is more even; The correlation between spatial distribution of vegetation and characters of soil is most remarkable. With process of restoration, the vegetation is affected more effectively by water and nutrients in site.


Weed Research ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (6) ◽  
pp. 490-500
Author(s):  
W Kaczmarek‐Derda ◽  
M Helgheim ◽  
J Netland ◽  
H Riley ◽  
K Wærnhus ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Trina Stephens

Land‐use change can have a major impact on soil properties, leading to long‐term changes in soilnutrient cycling rates and carbon storage. While a substantial amount of research has been conducted onland‐use change in tropical regions, empirical evidence of long‐term conversion of forested land toagricultural land in North America is lacking. Pervasive deforestation for the sake of agriculturethroughout much of North America is likely to have modified soil properties, with implications for theglobal climate. Here, we examined the response of physical, chemical and biological soil properties toconversion of forest to agricultural land (100 years ago) on Roebuck Farm near Perth, Ontario, Canada.Soil samples were collected at three sites from under forest and agricultural vegetative cover on bothhigh‐ and low‐lying topographic positions (12 locations in total; soil profile sampled to a depth of 40cm).Our results revealed that bulk density, pH, and nitrate concentrations were all higher in soils collectedfrom cultivate sites. In contrast, samples from forested sites exhibited greater water‐holding capacity,porosity, organic matter content, ammonia concentrations and cation exchange capacity. Many of these characteristics are linked to greater organic matter abundance and diversity in soils under forestvegetation as compared with agricultural soils. Microbial activity and Q10 values were also higher in theforest soils. While soil properties in the forest were fairly similar across topographic gradients, low‐lyingpositions under agricultural regions had higher bulk density and organic matter content than upslopepositions, suggesting significant movement of material along topographic gradients. Differences in soilproperties are attributed largely to increased compaction and loss of organic matter inputs in theagricultural system. Our results suggest that the conversion of forested land cover to agriculture landcover reduces soil quality and carbon storage, alters long‐term site productivity, and contributes toincreased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations.


1987 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 747-763 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. NAETH ◽  
A. W. BAILEY ◽  
W. B. McGILL

A study was conducted in Solonetzic mixed prairie of southern Alberta to evaluate and determine the longevity of selected ecosystem responses to pipeline installation. Five adjacent natural gas pipelines on a series of rights-of-way (ROW) were studied at three sites. The lines, which were installed in 1957, 1963, 1968, 1972 and 1981, had diameters of 86, 86, 91, 107 and 107 cm, respectively. Soils were analyzed for particle size distribution, bulk density, pH, electrical conductivity, ion composition, and organic matter content. It was concluded that pipeline construction in Solonetzic mixed prairie range-land initially tended to improve surface soil chemical and physical properties compared to blowouts, but reduced soil quality in vegetated native prairie. Surface bulk density increased to 1.3–1.6 Mg m−3 from an undisturbed density of 0.9–1.0 Mg m−3. Increased densities were evident to 55 cm in all 1981 transects except the trench where subsurface densities were reduced. Chemical changes were associated with reduced organic matter and increased salts at the surface. On the basis of differences between the various ages of pipelines (1981, youngest; 1957, oldest) there was evidence for greater amelioration of chemical changes than of physical disturbances over time. The time needed to restore half the lost organic matter was estimated to be approximately 50 y. Key words: Pipeline, Solonetzic soil, rangeland (native), soil chemistry, bulk density, reclamation


Author(s):  
John Bako Baon ◽  
Aris Wibawa

Double cropping of coffee with organic matter source plants is thought to increase organic matter content of soil. This study examined the effect of double cropping of coffee and organic matter source plants on soil organic matter content and yield of coffee plants. Arabica coffee trees in Andungsari Experimental Station (Bondowoso district), 1400 m asl. and climate type C; and Robusta coffee trees in Sumberasin Experimental Station (Malang district), 550 m asl. and climate type C, were used as experimental sites of this study which lasted for five years. Organic matter source plants consisted of some species that can be routinedly pruned and surface applied to coffee soil, and other creeping species that not being pruned, however the organic matter source derived from their fallen leaves. Application of farm manure and control (neither organic matter source plants nor farm yard manure) were used as comparison treatments. Results indicate that Ramayana (Cassia spectabilis) had vigorus growth resulting in greater biomass production compared to lamtoro (Leucaena leucocephala), mogania (Moghania macrophylla) and even kaliandra (Calyandra calothyrsus) which produced greater biomass among organic matter source plants grown in Arabica coffee farming. Double cropping of coffee with organic matter source plants did not affect soil organic matter content of Arabica and Robusta coffee farmings, though farm yard manure application increased soil organic matter content and soil bulk density, especially of Robusta coffee farm. Soil moisture content examined in dry season was not affected by double cropping. In contrary, Robusta coffee farm applied with farm yard manure had higher soil moisture content. At Arabica coffee farm, double cropping did not influence green coffee yield, on the other hand Ramayana reduced green coffee yield of Robusta coffee while farm yard manure increased the yield.Keywords : Coffeea arabica, Coffeea canephora, organic matter, soil moisture, double cropping, biomass producing plants.


2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 362-370
Author(s):  
Jose V. Fernandez ◽  
D. Calvin Odero ◽  
Gregory E. MacDonald ◽  
Jason A. Ferrell ◽  
Brent A. Sellers ◽  
...  

AbstractDissipation of S-metolachlor, a soil-applied herbicide, on organic and mineral soils used for sugarcane production in Florida was evaluated using field studies in 2013 to 2016. S-metolachlor was applied PRE at 2,270 g ha−1 on organic and mineral soils with 75% and 1.6% organic matter, respectively. The rate of dissipation of S-metolachlor was rapid on mineral soils compared with organic soils. Dissipation of S-metolachlor on organic soils followed a negative linear trend resulting in half-lives (DT50) ranging from 50 to 126 d. S-metolachlor loss on organic soils was more rapid under high soil-moisture conditions than in corresponding low soil-moisture conditions. On mineral soils, dissipation of S-metolachlor followed an exponential decline. The DT50 of S-metolachlor on mineral soils ranged from 12 to 24 d. The short persistence of S-metolachlor on mineral soils was likely attributed to low organic matter content with limited adsorptive capability. The results indicate that organic matter content and soil moisture are important for persistence of S-metolachlor on organic and mineral soils used for sugarcane production in Florida.


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