The biochar effect on soil respiration and nitrification

• Published in: Plant, soil and environment Vol. 64; no. 3; pp. 114 - 119
• Main Authors: ŠLAPÁKOVÁ, Barbora, JEŘÁBKOVÁ, Julie, VOŘÍŠEK, Karel, TEJNECKÝ, Václav, DRÁBEK, Ondřej
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Czech
• Published: Prague Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) 01.01.2018; Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences
• Subjects: cambisol; Carbon dioxide; Cellulose; Cellulose fibers; Charcoal; Efflux; microbial activity; Microbiota; Microorganisms; mineralization; Nitrification; Nutrient cycles; Pyrolysis; Respiration; Soil amendment; Soil microorganisms; Soil testing; Soils
• ISSN: 1214-1178; 1805-9368
• DOI: 10.17221/13/2018-PSE

Soil microorganisms play a main role in the nutrient cycle and they also play an important role in soil health. This article studies the influence of three rates of biochar (0.5, 1 and 3%) in comparison with control (0 biochar) in two different soils (Valečov and Čistá) on soil microbiota activities. The biochar was prepared from 80% of digestate from Zea mays L. and 20% of cellulose fibres by pyrolysis (470°C, 17 min). The biochar ability to influence microbial processes in soil was determined by respiration and nitrification tests. There were no significant differences between basal respiration of control samples and biochar-amended samples. Basal respiration in the Valečov soil reached average amounts from 1.32 to 1.52 mg CO2/h/100 g. In the Čistá soil, basal respiration reached average amounts from 1.40 to 1.49 mg CO2/h/100 g. No significant differences were proved also in nitrification tests of both soils. Nitrifying potential was the highest in 3% rate of biochar amendment. There were no negative changes in the measured soil parameters. CO2 efflux was not higher in biochar-amended soil.