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Biochar enhances soil hydraulic function but not soil aggregation in a sandy loam

Zhou, H.; Fang, H.; Zhang, Q.; Wang, Q.; Chen, C.; Mooney, S. J.; Peng, X.; Du, Z.

Authors

H. Zhou

H. Fang

Q. Zhang

Q. Wang

CHAO CHEN Chao.Chen@nottingham.ac.uk
Transitional Assistant Professor

SACHA MOONEY sacha.mooney@nottingham.ac.uk
Professor of Soil Physics

X. Peng

Z. Du



Abstract

© 2018 British Society of Soil Science Biochar has the potential to modify soil structure and soil hydraulic properties because of its small particle density, highly porous structure, grain size distribution and surface chemistry. However, knowledge of the long-term effects of biochar on soil physical properties under field conditions is limited. Using an 8-year field trial, we investigated the effects of successive additions of high-dose maize-cob-derived biochar (9.0 t ha −1 year −1 , HB), low-dose maize-cob-derived biochar (4.5 t ha −1 year −1 , LB), straw return (SR) and control (no biochar or straw, CK) on soil aggregate distribution, three-dimensional (3-D) pore structure, hydraulic conductivity and water retention in the upper 10 cm of a sandy loam soil from the North China Plain. Results showed that LB and HB treatments increased soil organic C content by 61.0–116.3% relative to CK. Interestingly, biochar amendment did not enhance the proportion of macroaggregates (> 2 and 0.25–2 mm) or aggregate stability, indicating limited positive effects on soil aggregation. The HB treatment decreased soil bulk density, and increased total porosity and macroporosity (> 30 μm). The retention of soil water, including gravitational water (0–33 kPa), capillary water (33–3100 kPa) and hygroscopic water (> 3100 kPa), was improved under HB soil. The HB and LB treatments increased plant-available water content by 17.8 and 10.1%, respectively, compared with CK. In contrast, SR showed no significant increase in soil porosity and water retention capacity but improved the water stability of macroaggregates. We concluded that biochar used in the coarse-textured soil enhanced saturated hydraulic conductivity and water-holding capacity, but did not improve soil aggregation. Highlights: Pore structure and hydraulic properties were studied in an 8-year biochar-amended sandy loam. HB (high-dose biochar) increased total soil porosity and CT-identified macroporosity (> 30 μm). Water retention improved under HB soil. Biochar addition had no effect on the formation of macroaggregates.

Citation

Zhou, H., Fang, H., Zhang, Q., Wang, Q., Chen, C., Mooney, S. J., …Du, Z. (2018). Biochar enhances soil hydraulic function but not soil aggregation in a sandy loam. European Journal of Soil Science, 70(2), 291-300. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejss.12732

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jun 3, 2018
Online Publication Date Sep 9, 2018
Publication Date Sep 9, 2018
Deposit Date Sep 13, 2018
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal European Journal of Soil Science
Print ISSN 1351-0754
Electronic ISSN 1365-2389
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 70
Issue 2
Pages 291-300
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/ejss.12732
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1073743
Publisher URL https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ejss.12732

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