Nitrogen availability and ammonia volatilization in biochar-based fertilizers

Author(s)

Puga, Aline Peregrina ; de Almeida Queiroz, Matheus Castro ; Vieira Ligo, Marcos Antonio ; Carvalho, Cristina Silva ; Moreno Pires, Adriana Marlene ; Santos Marcatto, Juliana de Oliveira ; de Andrade, Cristiano Alberto

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ARCHIVES OF AGRONOMY AND SOIL SCIENCE; v. 66, n. 7, p. 13-pg., 2019-08-13.

Abstract

Increasing N use efficiency is an important strategy to intensify sustainable agriculture, optimize nutrient use, and reduce N loss to the environment via different routes. Owing to its physicochemical properties, biochar can be used as an additive to produce biochar-based fertilizers (BFs) with increased efficiency. We investigated N availability and ammonia loss from 17 BFs (3%-38% N). N availability and release from BFs were evaluated by water extraction experiments and soil column leaching. BFs (5%-10% N) had an average of 64% solubilized N after five extractions, whereas urea had 98% solubilized N. However, BFs produced with urea released N more slowly in soil, with the release rate 60% less than that of urea. Ammonia volatilization was evaluated using a 22-d experiment, where N was applied to soil surface (pH = 4.4). We compared urea, BF granulated with urea, and BF produced by coating urea granules with acidified or unacidified biochar. Compared to urea, biochar-based fertilizers granulated with urea and urea granules coated with acidified biochar significantly reduced (t-test at 5%) ammonia volatilization by 14%. The results demonstrated the potential of BFs as enhanced efficiency fertilizers. Therefore, BFs might be a good option to mitigate N loss. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/21633-7 - Agronomic and environmental efficiency of biochar enriched or not with mineral source in the supply of nitrogen.
• Grantee: Aline Peregrina Puga
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 17/02886-7 - Carbon stability of biochar, aging process and fertilizer effect from formulations with mineral sources
• Grantee: Cristiano Alberto de Andrade
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants