Summary
This lysimeter experiment examined whether slow-pyrolysis wood chip biochar could improve nitrogen use efficiency, crop yields and reduce nitrous oxide emissions in temperate soils under intensive fertilisation. Applied to two contrasting soil types in a three-year winter wheat–cover crop–sorghum rotation receiving 15N-labelled fertiliser, the biochar treatment reduced N2O emissions by 15±4% and N leaching by 43±19% but had no significant effect on nitrogen use efficiency, crop yields or plant N uptake. The findings suggest that whilst biochar offers environmental benefits in terms of emissions and leaching reduction, its application does not substantially alter overall nitrogen cycling or enhance crop productivity in temperate intensive rotations.
UK applicability
These results are directly applicable to UK temperate arable systems, where soils and management intensities resemble the experimental conditions. The finding that biochar does not enhance crop yields or nitrogen use efficiency in intensively fertilised rotations is particularly relevant to UK farming practice and may inform policy on biochar subsidies or recommendations for arable producers.
Key measures
Nitrogen use efficiency; crop yields; N uptake; N2O emissions; N leaching losses; 15N recovery in plants, soil and leachate; N2O reduction as percentage difference between biochar and control treatments
Outcomes reported
The study measured nitrogen use efficiency, crop yields, nitrogen uptake, nitrous oxide emissions, and nitrogen leaching losses in a winter wheat–cover crop–sorghum rotation grown in two soil types amended with or without biochar. Changes in the fate of 15N-labelled fertiliser across plants, soil and leachate were tracked across three cropping cycles.
Topic tags
Dig deeper with Pulse AI.
Pulse AI has read the whole catalogue. Ask about this record, its theme, or how the findings apply to UK farming and policy — every answer cites the underlying studies.