The study aimed to investigate the effects of biochar (BC) application on hydraulic properties and nitrogen (N) transport in a podzolic soil profile. Soil samples were collected from an agricultural research field in Pasadena, Newfoundland, Canada. The following three types of leaching columns were prepared: (i) topsoil, (ii) top and E-horizon soil, and (iii) mixed soil (2:1 ratio of topsoil and E-horizon soil). Granular biochar (GBC) and powder biochar (PBC) were mixed with soils at the rate of 0%, 1% and 2% (w/w). BC’s morphological structure and pore size distribution were examined using a scanning electron microscope, and the specific surface area was assessed by the Brunauer−Emmett−Teller method. Soil physical and hydraulic properties (bulk density, porosity, field capacity (FC), permanent wilting point, plant available water (PAW)), leaching concentration of nitrate (NO3−) and ammonium (NH4+), and volume of leachate were measured through a total of 378 experiments under laboratory conditions. GBC and PBC showed hydrophobic and hydrophilic characteristics, respectively. With the 2% PBC amendment, porosity increased by 3%, FC by 10%, and PAW by 13% in the mixed soil and reduced NO3− leaching by 36% in top and E-horizon soil and NH4+ leaching by 72% in mixed soil. On the other hand, NO3− and NH4+ leaching was reduced by 26% and 33% in mixed soil when treated with 2% GBC. A 2% application rate for both BC (GBC and PBC) showed the best performance to enhance soil hydraulic properties and retain significant amounts of NO3− and NH4+ in the boreal podzol.
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22 December 2022
Biochar applications to boreal podzol improve soil hydraulic properties and control nitrogen dynamics
Ratnajit Saha,
Raymond Thomas,
Kelly Hawboldt,
Muhammad Nadeem,
Mumtaz Cheema,
Lakshman Galagedara
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Canadian Journal of Soil Science
Vol. 103 • No. 2
June 2023
Vol. 103 • No. 2
June 2023
Granular biochar
hydraulic properties
nitrogen retention
podzolic soil
powder biochar