Heterogeneous global crop yield response to biochar: a meta-regression analysis
TLDR
In this article, the authors employ meta-analytical, missing data, and semiparametric statistical methods to explain heterogeneity in crop yield responses across different soils, biochars, and agricultural management factors, and then estimate potential changes in yield across different soil environments globally.Abstract:
Biochar may contribute to climate change mitigation at negative cost by sequestering photosynthetically fixed carbon in soil while increasing crop yields. The magnitude of biochar's potential in this regard will depend on crop yield benefits, which have not been well-characterized across different soils and biochars. Using data from 84 studies, we employ meta-analytical, missing data, and semiparametric statistical methods to explain heterogeneity in crop yield responses across different soils, biochars, and agricultural management factors, and then estimate potential changes in yield across different soil environments globally. We find that soil cation exchange capacity and organic carbon were strong predictors of yield response, with low cation exchange and low carbon associated with positive response. We also find that yield response increases over time since initial application, compared to non-biochar controls. High reported soil clay content and low soil pH were weaker predictors of higher yield response. No biochar parameters in our dataset—biochar pH, percentage carbon content, or temperature of pyrolysis—were significant predictors of yield impacts. Projecting our fitted model onto a global soil database, we find the largest potential increases in areas with highly weathered soils, such as those characterizing much of the humid tropics. Richer soils characterizing much of the world's important agricultural areas appear to be less likely to benefit from biochar.read more
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
Multi-year and multi-location soil quality and crop biomass yield responses to hardwood fast pyrolysis biochar
David A. Laird,Jeffrey M. Novak,Harold P. Collins,James A. Ippolito,D. L. Karlen,Rodrick D. Lentz,K.R. Sistani,Kurt A. Spokas,R.S. Van Pelt +8 more
TL;DR: In this article, a multi-location field study was designed and conducted to determine if consistent response patterns could be elucidated by controlling the type and amount of biochar applied, depth of incorporation, and soil/crop management practices as much as possible for six U.S. locations.
Journal ArticleDOI
Impact of biochar and compost amendment on soil quality, growth and yield of a replanted apple orchard in a 4-year field study.
Mahdi Safaei Khorram,Gan Zhang,Akram Fatemi,Rudolf Kiefer,Kamalodin Maddah,Mujtaba Baqar,Mohamad Pauzi Zakaria,Gang Li +7 more
TL;DR: Biochar and compost were beneficial in improving soil quality, mainly by increasing soil nutrient content and decreasing soil bulk density, and in increasing plant growth at early growth stages of apple orchards, but failed to enhance overall yield and fruit quality.
Journal ArticleDOI
Why short‐term biochar application has no yield benefits: evidence from three field‐grown crops
Chantelle Jay,J. D. Fitzgerald,Neil A. Hipps,Christopher J. Atkinson,Christopher J. Atkinson +4 more
TL;DR: In this article, the impact of biochar, as a supplement, on soil nutrient availability and yields for three crops within commercial management systems in a temperate environment was determined. But, the results showed that biochar application rate had little influence on the tissue concentration of any nutrient, irrespective of crop or sampling date.
Journal ArticleDOI
Opportunities and constraints for biochar technology in Australian agriculture: looking beyond carbon sequestration
Balwant Singh,Lynne M. Macdonald,Rai S. Kookana,Lukas Van Zwieten,Greg Butler,Stephen Joseph,Stephen Joseph,Anthony J. Weatherley,Bhawana Bhatta Kaudal,Andrew Regan,Julie Cattle,Feike A. Dijkstra,M. Boersma,Stephen Kimber,Alexander Keith,Maryam Esfandbod +15 more
TL;DR: In this article, the authors identify important opportunities as well as challenges in the adoption of biochar technology for broadacre farming and other sectors in Australia and highlight the need to look beyond carbon sequestration and explore other opportunities to value-add to biochar.
Journal ArticleDOI
Effects of biochar application on crop productivity, soil carbon sequestration, and global warming potential controlled by biochar C:N ratio and soil pH: A global meta-analysis
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explored the effect variation of biochar application alone (B) and biochar combined with chemical fertilizers (BF) on crop yield, soil organic carbon (SOC), and global warming potential (GWP).
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