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Showing 3 results for Biochar
Effect of Soil Organic Treatments on Zinc Biofortification of Wheat Grain Cv. Rakhshan
P. Zarabi, A. Fatemi, M. Safaie Khorram,
Volume 12, Issue 1 (5-2021)
Abstract
Agronomic biofortification is one of the approaches to alleviate zinc deficiency in wheat. In this approach by changing the status of zinc, it could be available to plant. The application of organic fertilizers can stimulate physicochemical properties of soil and nutrition cycling which enhances zinc bioavailability. This study was conducted to evaluate the application of some organic compounds on grain zinc concentration and phytic acid to zinc ratio in wheat grain, biological yield, and grain yield of Rakhshan cultivar. The study was set as a completely randomized design with three replications during 2017-2018 in a greenhouse. The treatments were: control, hard wood biochar, and rice husk biochar with three levels: 0.5, 1, 2.5% (w/w), compost at 2% (w/w), and integrated treatments including compost + hard wood biochar, compost + rice husk biochar, with 1% (w/w) of each one. Results showed a significant effect (p < 0.05) of treatments on grain yield, phytic acid to zinc ratio (p < 0.01), biological yield, and grain zinc concentration. The biological yield and protein content of wheat grain were not significantly different between control and the studied treatments. The phytic acid to zinc ratio of wheat grain was less than 25 for control, as well as for 1% and 2.5% of hard wood biochar, compost, and integrated treatments. Therefore, depending on their availability, the applications of 2.5% hard wood biochar, 2.5% rice husk biochar, 2% compost, or hard wood biochar+compost are recommended as organic fertilizers.

Effect of Date Kernel Biochars on Enzymatic Activity in Rhizosphere and Non-rhizosphere Soils of European Borage (Borago officinalis L.)
A. Abbasian, M. Sheklabadi,
Volume 12, Issue 2 (9-2021)
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of date kernel biochar and nano-biochar on enzymatic activities of rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere environment of European borage. The date kernel was converted to biochar at 400 and 800 ºC pyrolysis temperatures and mixed with different soils. Four soils with different characteristics including acidic, calcareous, saline-sodic and saline-highly sodic were selected. Biochars were then converted to nano-size materials using the rolling ball method. Also nanoparticles were extracted from date kernel powder by hydrothermal method. The obtained biochars were mixed with soil and transferred to greenhouse pots. European borage was planted and harvested after 60 days. Rhizospheric and non-rhizospheric soils were collected and the activity of acidic and alkaline-phosphomonoesterase, protease and β-glucosidase enzymes were measured. The highest and lowest activities of acid-phosphomonoesterase, protease and β-glucosidase enzymes were found in the acidic and saline-highly sodic soils, respectively. However, the highest alkaline-phosphomonoesterase activity was observed in the saline-highly sodic soil. The activity of enzymes in the rhizosphere soil was greater than in the non-rhizosphere soil. The highest activities of enzymes were found in the control and were reduced by using biochar, nano-biochar and nanoparticle biochars. The conversion of biochar to nano-biochar could not increase the activity of enzymes in the soil.

Effect of Sewage Sludge and Its Biochar Application on Water Repellency and Structural Stability of Two Calcareous Soils under Corn Cultivation
Z. Khanmohammadi, M. Afyuni, M. R. Mosaddeghi,
Volume 13, Issue 1 (5-2022)
Abstract
Sewage sludge has positive effects on chemical and physical properties of soil. Biochar production from sewage sludge, while having positive effects on the soil, can lead to its effective management, especially in relation to the environment. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of sewage sludge and its biochar on water repellency and structural stability of two calcareous soils with clay loam and loam texture under corn cultivation. Sewage sludge was mixed with soils in the rates of 10, 20 and 40 t ha–1 (S1, S2 and S3). The equivalent application rates of biochar were 7.3, 14.5 and 29 t ha–1 (B1, B2 and B3). At the end of corn growing period, soil water repellency was measured by the intrinsic sorptivity method. Water-dispersible clay (WDC) was also measured as an indicator of soil structural instability. Results showed that the water repellency index (RI), ethanol sorptivity (SE) and soil-water contact angle (β) were significantly higher in sewage sludge and biochar treatments than those of control. However, the WDC in the sewage sludge and biochar treatments was significantly lower than the control. The values of RI and β in the clay loam soil were significantly higher than the loam soil. In both sewage sludge and biochar treatments, an increment in the application rate increased the RI. In the clay loam soil, the highest RI and SE were observed in the sewage sludge and then in the biochar treatment; while in the loam soil, the RI had the trend of biochar > sewage sludge > control. Overall, the results indicated that the use of organic treatments such as sewage sludge and its biochar would increase sub-critical soil water repellency and structural stability.

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