Clay and biochar amendments decreased inorganic but not dissolved organic nitrogen leaching in soil
Daniel N. Dempster A C , Davey L. Jones B and Daniel V. Murphy A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Soil Biology Group, School of Earth and Environment, UWA Institute of Agriculture, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
B Environment Centre Wales, Bangor University, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK.
C Corresponding author. Email: dempster.dn@gmail.com
Soil Research 50(3) 216-221 https://doi.org/10.1071/SR11316
Submitted: 29 November 2011 Accepted: 29 March 2012 Published: 25 May 2012
Abstract
Nitrogen (N) leaching from coarse-textured soils frequently leads to productivity losses and negative environmental consequences. Historically, clay amendment has been used on coarse-textured soils to decrease water repellence and nutrient leaching. More recently, biochar has been proposed as an alternative soil amendment to decrease N leaching while simultaneously storing carbon. As biochar has a greater nutrient-retention capacity, we hypothesised that biochar derived from Eucalyptus marginata would be a more effective amendment than clay at minimising N leaching. The soil used was a coarse-textured agricultural sand with the following treatments: (1) biochar incorporated homogenously into the 0–10 cm soil layer, (2) clay incorporated similarly, (3) biochar added as a layer at 10 cm depth, (4) clay added similarly, or (5) a control. Amendments were added at 25 t/ha and watered periodically over 21 days and watered with the equivalent to 30 mm. Clay and biochar amendments significantly decreased cumulative NH4+ leaching by ~20% and NO3– leaching by 25%. Biochar decreased NO3– leaching significantly more than clay, possibly due to decreased nitrification. Dissolved organic N leaching was not influenced by any treatment. Leaching of N was unaffected by amendment application method. We conclude that to decrease N leaching, land managers should apply the most readily available of the amendments in the most convenient manner.
Additional keywords: black carbon, charcoal, dissolved organic nitrogen, DON, mineralisation.
References
ANZECC, ARMCANZ (2000) ‘Australian and New Zealand guidelines for fresh and marine water quality. Vol. 1. The guidelines.’ (Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council and Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand: Canberra)Bowman GM, Hutka J (2002) Particle size analysis. In ‘Soil physical measurement and interpretation for land evaluation’. (Eds NJ McKenzie, KJ Coughlan, HP Cresswell) pp. 224–239. (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne)
Cabrera ML, Beare MH (1993) Alkaline persulfate oxidation for determining total nitrogen in microbial biomass extracts. Soil Science Society of America Journal 57, 1007–1012.
| Alkaline persulfate oxidation for determining total nitrogen in microbial biomass extracts.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2cXns1ensQ%3D%3D&md5=11d24a59e58b033ce64c68590741d5c9CAS |
Cheng C, Lehmann J, Theis JE, Burton SD, Engelhard MH (2006) Oxidation of black carbon by biotic and abiotic processes. Organic Geochemistry 37, 1477–1488.
| Oxidation of black carbon by biotic and abiotic processes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XhtFylurbO&md5=026356f714e1e3e2d6d039d8f6ba71d1CAS |
Cheng C, Lehmann J, Engelhard MH (2008) Natural oxidation of black carbon in soils: changes in molecular form and surface charge along a climosequence. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 72, 1598–1610.
| Natural oxidation of black carbon in soils: changes in molecular form and surface charge along a climosequence.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXivFOjurg%3D&md5=9c8c8ad5a94fb8dfc8d6d607099d7d0eCAS |
Dempster DN, Gleeson DB, Solaiman ZM, Jones DL, Murphy DV (2011) Decreased soil microbial biomass and nitrogen mineralisation with Eucalyptus biochar addition to a coarse textured soil. Plant and Soil (in press).
Ding Y, Liu YX, Wu WX, Shi DZ, Yang M, Zhong ZK (2010) Evaluation of biochar effects on nitrogen retention and leaching in multi-layered soil columns. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution 213, 47–55.
| Evaluation of biochar effects on nitrogen retention and leaching in multi-layered soil columns.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXht12ksrbO&md5=fb5af07ed0b159bf84d7361004bb9bbfCAS |
Dolling PJ, Porter WM (1994) Acidification rates in the central wheatbelt of Western Australia. 1. On a deep yellow sand. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 34, 1155–1164.
| Acidification rates in the central wheatbelt of Western Australia. 1. On a deep yellow sand.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXms12hs70%3D&md5=2480e95ca76b5db2da88a8c3149e6c4fCAS |
Flavel TC, Murphy DV (2006) Carbon and nitrogen mineralization rates after application of organic amendments to soil. Journal of Environmental Quality 35, 183–193.
| Carbon and nitrogen mineralization rates after application of organic amendments to soil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XhtFGisbk%3D&md5=f90b3265c47e8282d4f3bfc4a9d9a9deCAS |
Gentile R, Vanlauwe B, van Kessel C, Six J (2009) Managing N availability and losses by combining fertilizer-N with different quality residues in Kenya. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 131, 308–314.
| Managing N availability and losses by combining fertilizer-N with different quality residues in Kenya.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXktVOrtL0%3D&md5=54376153fef54b0a6e3f7747f1637160CAS |
Glaser B, Lehmann J, Zech W (2002) Ameliorating physical and chemical properties of highly weathered soils in the tropics with charcoal—a review. Biology and Fertility of Soils 35, 219–230.
| Ameliorating physical and chemical properties of highly weathered soils in the tropics with charcoal—a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38Xkt1Wmsrc%3D&md5=dfe5b24f5e9ace6e229433ae3241a11aCAS |
Hall DJM, Jones HR, Crabtree WL, Daniels TL (2010) Claying and deep ripping can increase crop yields and profits on water repellent sands with marginal fertility in southern Western Australia. Australian Journal of Soil Research 48, 178–187.
| Claying and deep ripping can increase crop yields and profits on water repellent sands with marginal fertility in southern Western Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Harper RJ, Gilkes RJ (2004) The effects of clay and sand additions on the strength of sandy topsoils. Australian Journal of Soil Research 42, 39–44.
| The effects of clay and sand additions on the strength of sandy topsoils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Harper RJ, McKissock I, Gilkes RJ, Carter DJ, Blackwell PS (2000) A multivariate framework for interpreting the effects of soil properties, soil management and landuse on water repellency. Journal of Hydrology 231–232, 371–383.
| A multivariate framework for interpreting the effects of soil properties, soil management and landuse on water repellency.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hoyle FC, Murphy DV (2011) Influence of organic residues and soil incorporation on temporal measures of microbial biomass and plant available nitrogen. Plant and Soil 347, 53–64.
| Influence of organic residues and soil incorporation on temporal measures of microbial biomass and plant available nitrogen.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXhtFyjsbbN&md5=91db916894bba11be78a73e0bf2534efCAS |
Hoyle FC, Baldock JA, Murphy DV (2011) Soil organic carbon: role in rainfed farming systems, with particular reference to Australian conditions. In ‘Rainfed farming systems’. (Eds P Tow, I Partridge, I Cooper, C Birch) pp. 339–364. (Springer Science: London)
Isbell RF (1996) ‘The Australian Soil Classification.’ (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne)
Jones DL, Healey JR, Willett VB, Farrar JF, Hodge A (2005) Dissolved organic nitrogen uptake by plants—an important N uptake pathway? Soil Biology & Biochemistry 37, 413–423.
| Dissolved organic nitrogen uptake by plants—an important N uptake pathway?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXhtFGgsrnI&md5=e25b37589d2f60f5339768e7a0ce7214CAS |
Jones DL, Murphy DV, Khalid M, Ahmad W, Edwards-Jones G, DeLuca TH (2011) Short-term biochar-induced increase in soil CO2 release is both biotically and abiotically mediated. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 43, 1723–1731.
| Short-term biochar-induced increase in soil CO2 release is both biotically and abiotically mediated.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXnsVeqsbs%3D&md5=40b3f56c4accef77c74023bfeb6d1a47CAS |
Kamphake LJ, Hannah SA, Cohen JM (1967) Automated analysis for nitrate by hydrazine reduction. Water Research 1, 205–216.
| Automated analysis for nitrate by hydrazine reduction.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaF2sXhtVyisL8%3D&md5=ed8f13ae62a40979ac4d7fa3d5966de0CAS |
Kempers AJ, Luft AG (1988) Re-examination of the determination of environmental nitrate as nitrite by reduction with hydrazine. Analyst 113, 1117–1120.
| Re-examination of the determination of environmental nitrate as nitrite by reduction with hydrazine.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL1cXltVersrY%3D&md5=e8e501021d5871930137be232cf918cfCAS |
Krom MD (1980) Spectrophotometric determination of ammonia; a study of a modified Berthelot reaction using salicylate and dichloroisocyanurate. Analyst 105, 305–316.
| Spectrophotometric determination of ammonia; a study of a modified Berthelot reaction using salicylate and dichloroisocyanurate.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL3cXkvVOqsLo%3D&md5=8b916139137a8f23d5eb1c15a68b5c1bCAS |
Laird D, Fleming P, Wang B, Horton , Karlen D (2010) Biochar impact on leaching from a Midwestern agricultural soil. Geoderma 158, 436–442.
| Biochar impact on leaching from a Midwestern agricultural soil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXhtVyjsLfM&md5=e38625299654995e485985969fd9332dCAS |
Lawes Agricultural Trust (2007) ‘Genstat.’ 10th edn (VSN International Ltd: Hemel Hempstead, UK)
Lehmann J (2007) Bioenergy in the black. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 5, 381–387.
| Bioenergy in the black.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lehmann J, Joseph S (2009) Biochar for environmental management: an introduction. In ‘Biochar for environmental management, science and technology’. (Eds J Lehmann, S Joseph) pp. 1–12. (Earthscan: London)
Lehmann J, da Silva JP, Steiner C, Nehls T, Zech W, Glaser B (2003) Nutrient availability and leaching in an archaeological Anthrosol and a Ferralsol of the Central Amazon basin: fertilizer, manure and charcoal amendments. Plant and Soil 249, 343–357.
| Nutrient availability and leaching in an archaeological Anthrosol and a Ferralsol of the Central Amazon basin: fertilizer, manure and charcoal amendments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXit1Citrc%3D&md5=2948735dadf917cc89409a2b1c5c6443CAS |
Lehmann J, Gaunt J, Rondon M (2006) Bio-char sequestration in terrestrial ecosystems—a review. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change 11, 395–419.
| Bio-char sequestration in terrestrial ecosystems—a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McKissock I, Walker EL, Gilkes RJ, Carter DJ (2000) The influence of clay type on reduction of water repellency by applied clays: a review of some West Australian work. Journal of Hydrology 231–232, 323–332.
| The influence of clay type on reduction of water repellency by applied clays: a review of some West Australian work.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McKissock I, Gilkes RJ, Walker EL (2002) The reduction of water repellency by added clay is influenced by clay and soil properties. Applied Clay Science 20, 225–241.
| The reduction of water repellency by added clay is influenced by clay and soil properties.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXptFCmsrc%3D&md5=55e2f8f998333fb4847c7bfccdb3f7d9CAS |
Moore G (2004) ‘Soil guide—a handbook for understanding and managing agricultural soils.’ National Landcare and Department of Agriculture Western Australia Bulletin No. 4343. (National Landcare and Department of Agriculture Western Australia: Perth, W. Aust.)
Murphy DV, MacDonald AJ, Stockdale EA, Goulding KWT, Fortune S, Gaunt JL, Poulton PR, Wakefield JA, Webster CP, Wilmer WS (2000) Soluble organic nitrogen in agricultural soils. Biology and Fertility of Soils 30, 374–387.
| Soluble organic nitrogen in agricultural soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXhtlCrtrY%3D&md5=a15003d7a601dd8b1e23a3cfcf0a31c5CAS |
Ogawa M, Okimori Y, Takahashi F (2006) Carbon sequestration by carbonisation of biomass and forestation: three case studies. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change 11, 421–436.
| Carbon sequestration by carbonisation of biomass and forestation: three case studies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Power JF, Wiese R, Flowerday D (2001) Managing farming systems for nitrate control: a research review from management systems evacuation areas. Journal of Environmental Quality 30, 1866–1880.
| Managing farming systems for nitrate control: a research review from management systems evacuation areas.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38Xht1Sls7o%3D&md5=33f2991c506c75fafc9f9fa0252f7478CAS |
Quiroga-Garza HM, Picchioni GA, Remmenga MD (2001) Bermudagrass fertilized with slow-release nitrogen sources. 1. Nitrogen uptake and potential leaching losses. Journal of Environmental Quality 30, 440–448.
| Bermudagrass fertilized with slow-release nitrogen sources. 1. Nitrogen uptake and potential leaching losses.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXltVehtbw%3D&md5=5e8abe92c56b4eb720b8e72d6b8e74a9CAS |
Rayment GE, Higginson FR (1992) ‘Australian laboratory handbook of soil and water chemical methods.’ (Inkata Press: Melbourne)
Rovira AD (1992) Dryland Mediterranean farming systems in Australia. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 32, 801–809.
| Dryland Mediterranean farming systems in Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Searle PL (1984) The Berthelot or indophenol reaction and its use in the analytical chemistry of nitrogen—a review. Analyst 109, 549–568.
| The Berthelot or indophenol reaction and its use in the analytical chemistry of nitrogen—a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL2cXlsVartbk%3D&md5=535b48613d6e6446c7532169d5941198CAS |
Smolders AJP, Lucassen ECHET, Bobbink R, Poelofs JGM, Lamers LPM (2010) How nitrate leaching from agricultural lands provokes phosphate eutrophication in groundwater fed wetlands: the sulphur bridge. Biogeochemistry 98, 1–7.
| How nitrate leaching from agricultural lands provokes phosphate eutrophication in groundwater fed wetlands: the sulphur bridge.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXksFCqtbs%3D&md5=58c2f042ab991d34dc0cb5366d0d6c2aCAS |
Tennant D, Scholz G, Dixon J, Purdie B (1992) Physical and chemical characteristics of duplex soils and their distribution in the south-west of Western Australia. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 32, 827–843.
| Physical and chemical characteristics of duplex soils and their distribution in the south-west of Western Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2cXot1Skug%3D%3D&md5=be9c3fe7064a21e0ee82046c481040a6CAS |
