Effects of Adding Pyrochar and Hydrochar to Calcareous Soil on Nutrient Uptake by Maize

Authors

  • Yuxiao Cai Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomass Gasification Technology, Energy Research Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences)
  • Luyu Liu College of Engineering Ocean University of China
  • Wei Zhang College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University
  • Sen Xing Shandong 963 Agricultural Science and Technology Co, Ltd
  • Xiaohui Liang Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomass Gasification Technology, Energy Research Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences)
  • Mingjie Gao Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomass Gasification Technology, Energy Research Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences)
  • Hewei Yu Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomass Gasification Technology, Energy Research Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences)
  • Zhaoxia Jiang Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomass Gasification Technology, Energy Research Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences)
  • Kenji Ogino Graduate School of Bio-Applications and Systems Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
  • Xiuxiu Chen Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomass Gasification Technology, Energy Research Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences)
  • Bing Wang Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomass Gasification Technology, Energy Research Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences); Graduate School of Bio-Applications and Systems Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
  • Hongyu Si Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomass Gasification Technology, Energy Research Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences)

Keywords:

Hydrochar, Pyrochar, Maize, Mineral nutrients, Mycorrhizal infection rate

Abstract

The patterns and mechanisms underlying the effects of different types of biochar on crop dry matter accumulation and uptake of major soil minerals are uncertain. This study demonstrated the positive effects of adding pyrochar (PC) and hydrochar (HC) to calcareous soils on nutrient uptake by maize seedlings and revealed the important role of mycorrhizal colonization. The effects depended on the type of biochar added and the type of nutrient evaluated. The dry weights of maize seedlings were higher in the HC and PC groups than in the control group, and the P accumulation was 17% higher than that of the control. Adding PC significantly increased Zn accumulation and the concentration and accumulation of Cu in maize seedlings, whereas adding HC increased the Fe concentration. Applying PC and HC also promoted mycorrhizal colonization of maize roots, and P, Zn, and Cu accumulations in the plant were positively correlated with the mycorrhizal colonization rate. This study found that applying PC and HC to calcareous soil at the tested application rate promotes the uptake of some mineral nutrients by maize at the seedling stage, and this effect was at least partially influenced by an increased mycorrhizal colonization rate in the plant root system.

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Published

2023-03-01

Issue

Section

Research Article or Brief Communication