Journal article
Short-term effects of organo-mineral enriched biochar fertiliser on ginger yield and nutrient cycling
Journal of Soils and Sediments, Vol.19(2), pp.668-682
2019
Abstract
Purpose Biochar has agronomic potential but currently is too expensive for widespread adoption. Newmethodologies are emerging to reduce the cost such as enriching biochar with nutrients that match crops and soil requirements. However, the effects of biochar-based fertilisers on plant yield and soil nutrient availability have not been widely examined. This study investigated the effects of a novel organo-mineral biochar fertiliser in comparison to organic and commercial biochar fertiliser on ginger (Zingiber officinale Canton). Materials and methods There were four treatments: (1) commercial organic fertiliser (5 t ha-1), as the control; (2) commercial biochar-based fertiliser (5 t ha-1); (3) organo-mineral biochar fertiliser at low rate (3 t ha-1); and (4) organo-mineral biochar fertiliser at high rate (7.5 t ha-1). A replicated pot trial was established with black dermosol soil and ten replicate pots for each treatment. Ginger was planted and grown for 30 weeks. Plant growth, biomass, foliar nutrients and water extractable soil nutrients including phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and calcium (Ca) were examined. Results and discussion High rate organo-mineral biochar fertiliser increased soil P and K availability at week 30 (harvest) after planting, compared to all other treatments and low rate organo-mineral biochar fertiliser performed similarly to the organic control for P and K. High rate organo-mineral biochar fertiliser increased total foliar nutrient content at week 30 in P, K and Ca compared to commercial biochar fertiliser. High rate organo-mineral biochar fertiliser improved the commercial value of ginger (+ 36%) due to a shift in the proportion of higher grade rhizomes. Low rate organo-mineral biochar fertiliser plants displayed similar yield, total dry and aboveground biomass to commercial organic fertiliser. Commercial biochar fertiliser had significantly lower biomass measures compared with other treatments as the rate applied had lower nutrient concentrations. Conclusions Our results show organo-mineral biochar fertilisers could be substituted for commercial organic fertilisers at low rates to maintain similar yield or applied at high rates to increase commercial value where economically feasible.
Details
- Title
- Short-term effects of organo-mineral enriched biochar fertiliser on ginger yield and nutrient cycling
- Authors
- Michael B Farrar (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringHelen M Wallace (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringCheng Yuan Xu (Author) - Griffith UniversityThi Thu Nhan Nguyen (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringEhsan Tavakkoli (Author) - NSW Department of Primary IndustriesStephen Joseph (Author) - University of New South WalesShahla Hosseini Bai (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
- Publication details
- Journal of Soils and Sediments, Vol.19(2), pp.668-682
- Publisher
- Springer
- Date published
- 2019
- DOI
- 10.1007/s11368-018-2061-9
- ISSN
- 1439-0108
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450902702621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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