The Application of Biochar Enhances Soil Organic Carbon and Rice Yields
The freezing winter temperatures in Northeast China hinder the breakdown speed of straw, making it challenging to implement widespread straw return in rice fields, meaning that crop remnants are not efficiently utilised. This study involved a pot experiment conducted on rice plants that were treated...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Agronomy |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/3/455 |
| _version_ | 1797242414867415040 |
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| author | Chuang Yang Sen Dou Dan Guo Hangjin Zhao |
| author_facet | Chuang Yang Sen Dou Dan Guo Hangjin Zhao |
| author_sort | Chuang Yang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The freezing winter temperatures in Northeast China hinder the breakdown speed of straw, making it challenging to implement widespread straw return in rice fields, meaning that crop remnants are not efficiently utilised. This study involved a pot experiment conducted on rice plants that were treated with varying quantities of biochar: CK (no biochar); BC1 (5 t ha<sup>−1</sup>); BC2 (10 t ha<sup>−1</sup>); and BC3 (20 t ha<sup>−1</sup>). An investigation was conducted to examine the impact of biochar on the soil organic carbon (SOC), humus (HS) composition, humic acid (HA) structure, and rice yield of paddy fields. The findings demonstrated that the use of biochar led to a substantial rise in SOC and HA-C concentrations in the soil layer between 20 and 40 cm. Additionally, biochar’s application enhanced soil humification. Notably, the treatment with BC3 (20 t ha<sup>−1</sup>) had the most pronounced impact. The O/C ratio in the HA and the relative strength of the peaks at 1620 cm<sup>−1</sup> on the infrared spectra showed a more pronounced response to the BC3 treatment compared to the other biochar treatments. However, the application of the BC1 treatment at a rate of 5 t ha<sup>−1</sup> and the BC2 treatment at a rate of 10 t ha<sup>−1</sup> had a minimal impact on the fluorescence intensity of humic acid (HA). The application of the BC3 treatment increased the aromatic nature of the humic acid (HA) in paddy soil, leading to the formation of an intricate and enduring HA structure. Furthermore, the use of the BC3 treatment resulted in a notable enhancement in the quantity of spikes, spike weight, and number of grains per spike. Additionally, it positively impacted the accumulation of dry matter in the spike, leading to a substantial 13.7% increase in the rice yield. Applying biochar at a rate of 20 t ha<sup>−1</sup> is a sensible and effective approach to enhance the soil organic carbon (SOC) content, enhance the stability of the humic acid (HA)’s structure, and raise the rice yield in the rice-growing area of Northeast China. This study’s findings will establish a theoretical foundation for utilising soil biochar in the rice fields located in Northeast China. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T18:38:51Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-735999120e934804b6dda294a3b835a5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4395 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T18:38:51Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Agronomy |
| spelling | doaj.art-735999120e934804b6dda294a3b835a52024-03-27T13:16:35ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952024-02-0114345510.3390/agronomy14030455The Application of Biochar Enhances Soil Organic Carbon and Rice YieldsChuang Yang0Sen Dou1Dan Guo2Hangjin Zhao3College of Resource and Environmental Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, ChinaCollege of Resource and Environmental Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, ChinaCollege of Resource and Environmental Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, ChinaCollege of Agriculture, Jilin Agricultural Science and Technology University, Jilin 132101, ChinaThe freezing winter temperatures in Northeast China hinder the breakdown speed of straw, making it challenging to implement widespread straw return in rice fields, meaning that crop remnants are not efficiently utilised. This study involved a pot experiment conducted on rice plants that were treated with varying quantities of biochar: CK (no biochar); BC1 (5 t ha<sup>−1</sup>); BC2 (10 t ha<sup>−1</sup>); and BC3 (20 t ha<sup>−1</sup>). An investigation was conducted to examine the impact of biochar on the soil organic carbon (SOC), humus (HS) composition, humic acid (HA) structure, and rice yield of paddy fields. The findings demonstrated that the use of biochar led to a substantial rise in SOC and HA-C concentrations in the soil layer between 20 and 40 cm. Additionally, biochar’s application enhanced soil humification. Notably, the treatment with BC3 (20 t ha<sup>−1</sup>) had the most pronounced impact. The O/C ratio in the HA and the relative strength of the peaks at 1620 cm<sup>−1</sup> on the infrared spectra showed a more pronounced response to the BC3 treatment compared to the other biochar treatments. However, the application of the BC1 treatment at a rate of 5 t ha<sup>−1</sup> and the BC2 treatment at a rate of 10 t ha<sup>−1</sup> had a minimal impact on the fluorescence intensity of humic acid (HA). The application of the BC3 treatment increased the aromatic nature of the humic acid (HA) in paddy soil, leading to the formation of an intricate and enduring HA structure. Furthermore, the use of the BC3 treatment resulted in a notable enhancement in the quantity of spikes, spike weight, and number of grains per spike. Additionally, it positively impacted the accumulation of dry matter in the spike, leading to a substantial 13.7% increase in the rice yield. Applying biochar at a rate of 20 t ha<sup>−1</sup> is a sensible and effective approach to enhance the soil organic carbon (SOC) content, enhance the stability of the humic acid (HA)’s structure, and raise the rice yield in the rice-growing area of Northeast China. This study’s findings will establish a theoretical foundation for utilising soil biochar in the rice fields located in Northeast China.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/3/455biocharpaddy soilsoil organic carbonsoil humic acidrice yield |
| spellingShingle | Chuang Yang Sen Dou Dan Guo Hangjin Zhao The Application of Biochar Enhances Soil Organic Carbon and Rice Yields Agronomy biochar paddy soil soil organic carbon soil humic acid rice yield |
| title | The Application of Biochar Enhances Soil Organic Carbon and Rice Yields |
| title_full | The Application of Biochar Enhances Soil Organic Carbon and Rice Yields |
| title_fullStr | The Application of Biochar Enhances Soil Organic Carbon and Rice Yields |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Application of Biochar Enhances Soil Organic Carbon and Rice Yields |
| title_short | The Application of Biochar Enhances Soil Organic Carbon and Rice Yields |
| title_sort | application of biochar enhances soil organic carbon and rice yields |
| topic | biochar paddy soil soil organic carbon soil humic acid rice yield |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/3/455 |
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