Year: 2020
Type: article
Abstract: Biochar may enhance soil health in sandy soils under peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] tree production. A study was initiated in the Sandhills of North Carolina by applying pine‐biochar at two different rates (5 and 10%, v/v) and types of application (incorporation to 30 cm [‐Inc] and surface [‐Sur]) in 2017. Soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics was assessed via soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), permanganate‐oxidizable carbon (POXC), aggregate fractions (macro‐, micro‐aggregates, and clay + silt particles), and enzyme activities (CNPS activity) at 0–15 and 15–30 cm in 2018 and 2019. After the first year of pine‐biochar application, POXC decreased in all biochar treatments, SOC was higher in the 10%‐Inc treatment, whereas CNPS activities and macroaggregates were highest in the 5%‐Sur compared with the non‐treated control. These results suggest early changes in SOM dynamics and biogeochemical cycling and have the potential to guide producers with the long‐term application of pine‐biochar to sandy soils.
DOI: 10.1002/agg2.20094
Authors: Juan Pablo Frene, Mattie Frazier, Edwin Rutto, McGwire Jones, Shuang Liu, Bernadette Clark, Michael Parker, Terrence G. Gardner
Institution: North Carolina State University
Language: English
Subfield: Soil Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,100
OpenAlex ID: W3088295229