Biochar Application in Combination with Inorganic Nitrogen Improves Maize Grain Yield, Nitrogen Uptake, and Use E ciency in Temperate Soils
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Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Agronomy
Abstract
Biochar (B) has shown promise in improving crop productivity. However, its interaction
with inorganic nitrogen (N) in temperate soils is not well-studied. The objective of this paper was
to compare the e ect of fertilizer N-biochar-combinations (NBC) and N fertilizer (NF) on maize
(Zea mays L.) grain yield, N uptake, and N use e ciency (NUE). Trials were conducted in 2018 and
2019 at Efaw and Lake Carl Blackwell (LCB) in Oklahoma, USA. A randomized complete block
design with three replications and ten treatments consisting of 50, 100, and 150 kg N ha1 and 5, 10,
and 15 Mg B ha1 was used. At LCB, yield, N uptake, and NUE under NBC increased by 25%, 28%,
and 46%, respectively compared to NF. At Efaw, yield, N uptake, and NUE decreased under NBC by
5%, 7%, and 19%, respectively, compared to NF. Generally, results showed a significant response to
NBC at 10 Mg B ha1. While results were inconsistent across locations, the significant response to
NBC was evident at LCB with sandy loam soil but not Efaw with silty clay loam. Biochar application
with inorganic N could improve N use and the yield of maize cultivated on sandy soils with poor
physical and chemical properties.
Description
Keywords
Biochar, Nitrogen fertilizer, Nitrogen use efficiency, Field application
Citation
Omara, P., Aula, L., Oyebiyi, F. B., Eickhoff, E. M., Carpenter, J., & Raun, W. R. (2020). Biochar application in combination with inorganic nitrogen improves maize grain yield, nitrogen uptake, and use efficiency in temperate soils. Agronomy, 10(9), 1241. doi:10.3390/agronomy10091241