Summary
This lysimeter study evaluated slow pyrolysis wood chip biochar's effects on nitrogen cycling and emissions in two contrasting temperate soils under a three-year arable rotation. Whilst biochar reduced N₂O emissions by 15% and leaching by 43% compared to controls, it did not improve nitrogen use efficiency, crop yields or nitrogen uptake across any of the three crops, suggesting environmental benefits are decoupled from agronomic performance in this system.
UK applicability
The findings are directly relevant to UK temperate agriculture, given similar soil types, climate and intensive management systems. The results suggest that biochar application in UK intensive arable systems may provide greenhouse gas mitigation benefits without yield penalty, though agronomic gains should not be expected under standard fertilisation regimes.
Key measures
Nitrogen use efficiency; crop yield; nitrogen uptake; N₂O emissions; nitrogen leaching losses; 15N recovery in plants, soil, and leachate; soil type comparisons (sandy loamy Cambisol vs. silty loamy Luvisol)
Outcomes reported
The study measured nitrogen use efficiency, crop yields, nitrogen uptake, nitrous oxide emissions, and nitrogen leaching across two soil types under a winter wheat–cover crop–sorghum rotation amended with biochar. Nitrogen fate was tracked using 15N-labelled fertiliser applied to the first crop and monitored in plants, soil and leachate.
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