Biochar is a carbon-rich material similar to charcoal that is produced when biomass is burned in the absence of oxygen - a process known as pyrolysis. When applied to agricultural soil biochar can impart benefits, such as improved nutrient cycling, increased productivity, and carbon sequestration, but there are limited data concerning its effect in mixed perennial communities, such as tallgrass prairie. Our investigation addresses this research gap and identifies both positive effects and negative externalities associated with intentional or unintentional prairie exposure to biochar.
Our meta-analysis used data from 114 published articles to determine biochar's effect on plant productivity, soil organisms, and nutrient cycling. We found positive (aboveground biomass, rhizobia infection, plant phosphorus concentration and soil phosphorus) to neutral (belowground biomass, mycorrhizal fungi infection, plant nitrogen concentration) effects of biochar in the environment. However, most of theses studies were in agricultural systems and more data concerning biochar in perennial systems are needed.
We also measured plant and soil community development for 5 years in a tallgrass prairie restoration in the loess hill region of Iowa. We used factorial applications of Royal Oak biochar (0%, 2.6%, and 5.2%) and composted manure (0 and 4.5 kg m-2) and found several benefits (increased soil carbon and plant species richness) and few externalities associated with biochar addition. Biochar and manure interacted to effect phosphorus cycling.
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