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Land
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Biochar-Complemented Compost: Production, Characterization, and Application
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Biochar-Complemented Compost: Production, Characterization, and Application

A special issue of Land (ISSN 2073-445X).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 19 June 2024 | Viewed by 12037

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Naser Khan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Chemical Engineering, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
Interests: composting; biochar; soil quality; agriculture; bioremediation; smart monitoring and control systems for composting process
Prof. Dr. Md. Jakariya

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Environmental Science and Management (ESM), North South University, Bashundhara, Dhaka 1229, Bangladesh
Interests: human geography; environmental risk assessment; climate change adaptation; migration and GIS

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are facing a phenomenal increase in organic wastes. On the other hand, areas of degraded land are expanding quickly, affecting land use for urban, agricultural, industrial and environmental purposes. Compost, biochar or their mixtures are considered as materials for resolving these issues.

Composting is one of the preferred ways of managing biodegradable wastes. Composting is largely a microbe-driven decomposition process that produces carbon- and nutrient-rich organic soil conditioner. Compost carries available and organically bound nutrients and carbon. After application of compost to a soil, organically bound nutrients and carbon are released over a long period of time through decomposition. Although composting is an age-old technique, we are increasingly depending on science to improve compost quality. Innovative ideas are being pursued to achieve such goals.

Biochar, a widely studied soil amendment made from organic sources, is a carbonaceous and porous material that has the potential to hold nutrients until required by plant roots and/or microorganisms. The primary source of nutrients in biochar is endogenic, i.e., feedstock. However, its porous nature may allow it to absorb and hold nutrients from exogenic sources, such as soil, wastewater, nutrient solution and compost. Biochar can also be artificially enriched with microbes of interest.

Complementing compost with biochar can be done by mixing, incubating, composting, etc. Complementing compost may bring together a wide range of benefits to both materials. Both compost and biochar can improve the physical, chemical and biological quality of soils by supplying labile and stable carbon and nutrients. Compost may also provide beneficial microbes. This means that biochar-complemented compost is a suitable material for soil application to achieve improved soil quality, increased crop production, and remediated contaminated soils.

This Special Issue of Land intends to cover research studies undertaken in the areas of compost and biochar-complemented compost, covering the production, characterization and application of these individual or combined material/s.

Dr. Naser Khan
Prof. Dr. Md. Jakariya
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Land is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • waste management
  • compost
  • biochar
  • soil quality
  • nutrient
  • carbon
  • agriculture
  • bioremediation

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 8732 KiB  
Article
Co-Composted Chicken Litter Biochar Increases Soil Nutrient Availability and Yield of Oryza sativa L.
by Maru Ali, Osumanu Haruna Ahmed, Mohamadu Boyie Jalloh, Walter Charles Primus, Adiza Alhassan Musah and Ji Feng Ng
Land 2023, 12(1), 233; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12010233 - 11 Jan 2023
Viewed by 1643
Abstract
Intensified cultivation of rice has accelerated weathering of most tropical acid soils leading to significant loss of base cations. In most developing countries, rice yield is low and this results in its production being costly because productivity versus labor is low. The objectives [...] Read more.
Intensified cultivation of rice has accelerated weathering of most tropical acid soils leading to significant loss of base cations. In most developing countries, rice yield is low and this results in its production being costly because productivity versus labor is low. The objectives of this study were to (i) enhance soil chemical properties, nutrient uptake, and grain yield of rice grown on a mineral tropical acid soil using agro-wastes; (ii) determine the agro-waste (chicken manure, cow dung, forest litter, and Leucaena) that has the potential to significantly increase rice yield; and (iii) determine the residual effects of the organic soil amendments produced from the agro-wastes on soil and rice productivity. The treatments used in this three-cycle field study were (i) soil without amendments (S0); (ii) prevailing recommended rates for fertilizers (NPK-Mg); (iii) biochar–forest litter compost (OSA1); (iv) biochar–chicken litter compost (OSA2); (v) biochar–cow dung compost (OSA3); (vi) biochar–Leucaena compost (OSA4); and (vii) biochar–Leucaena–chicken litter compost (OSA5). Standard procedures were used to determine the plants’ rice growth, grain yield, plant nutrient concentrations and uptake, and selected soil chemical properties. The use of organic soil amendments (OSA1 to OSA5) significantly improved the soil chemical properties, rice plant growth, nutrient uptake, and grain yield compared with the prevailing method of cultivating rice (NPK-Mg). The application of organic soil amendments reduced the use of inorganic N, P, K, MgO, and trace elements fertilizers up to 25%, 100%, 64%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. The organic soil amendments with Leucaena significantly increased rice grain yield of OSA5 at 11.17, 13.11, and 10.06 t ha−1 in the first, second, and third cropping cycles, respectively. The residual effect of the organic soil amendments also improved rice plant growth, nutrient uptake, and rice grain yield although these were slightly reduced as compared to those of the two previous cropping cycles, the afore-stated treatments were superior to the prevailing method of cultivating rice (NPK-Mg). Transforming agro-wastes into organic soil amendments can improve tropical mineral acid soils and rice productivity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biochar-Complemented Compost: Production, Characterization, and Application)
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11 pages, 1403 KiB  
Article
Effects of Torrefied Wood Chips and Vermicompost on Tree Growth and Weed Biomass: Implications for the Sustainable Management of Salt-Affected Reclaimed Lands
by Ji Young An, Aung Aung, Jonathan Ogayon Hernandez, Jeong Min Seo, Si Ho Han and Byung Bae Park
Land 2022, 11(5), 725; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11050725 - 11 May 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1724
Abstract
A harsh environment, slow tree growth, nutrient deficiencies, and competition between trees and weeds can impede forest establishment on reclaimed lands. We investigated the effects of torrefied wood chips (TWC) and vermicompost (VC) soil amendments on the growth of Populus euramericana Guinier, weed [...] Read more.
A harsh environment, slow tree growth, nutrient deficiencies, and competition between trees and weeds can impede forest establishment on reclaimed lands. We investigated the effects of torrefied wood chips (TWC) and vermicompost (VC) soil amendments on the growth of Populus euramericana Guinier, weed biomass, and soil chemical properties on reclaimed land in Saemangeum. The 2.5 Mg ha−1 and 5.0 Mg ha−1 TWC had a similar effect on tree diameter and height growth (i.e., 2.5 = 5.0 > 0 TWC) and tended to have similar, higher effect on the total biomass of P. euramericana than the 0 Mg ha−1. The 2.5 Mg ha−1 TWC resulted in a significantly larger root biomass than the 5.0 Mg ha−1 TWC. The weed biomass was significantly larger at the 2.7 Mg ha−1 VC (i.e., 730.5–810.5 g m−2) than the control (605.1–610.6 g m−2), but VC alone was not effective for tree growth and soil amelioration. The TWC had no effect on weed biomass. Thus, the TWC and VC had contrasting effects on tree growth and weed biomass when they were used as soil amendments on salt-affected reclaimed land. VC application may promote weed proliferation, whereas TWC application may potentially increase the growth of P. euramericana and control weed growth on reclaimed lands. Our results enhance the existing knowledge on tree and weed responses to torrefied wood chips and vermicompost amendments for the sustainable management of salt-affected reclaimed lands. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biochar-Complemented Compost: Production, Characterization, and Application)
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17 pages, 3738 KiB  
Article
Biochar Application Increases Labile Carbon and Inorganic Nitrogen Supply in a Continuous Monocropping Soil
by Rong Huang, Bing Li, Yulan Chen, Qi Tao, Qiang Xu, Denghong Wen, Xuesong Gao, Qiquan Li, Xiaoyan Tang and Changquan Wang
Land 2022, 11(4), 473; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11040473 - 25 Mar 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2408
Abstract
Biochar is an effective method for increasing soil carbon (C) sequestration and nitrogen (N) supply under continuous monocropping. To investigate the impact of biochar placement methods on soil C and N, a one-year field experiment with five treatments was conducted including control, mineral [...] Read more.
Biochar is an effective method for increasing soil carbon (C) sequestration and nitrogen (N) supply under continuous monocropping. To investigate the impact of biochar placement methods on soil C and N, a one-year field experiment with five treatments was conducted including control, mineral fertilizers only (F), biochar hole placement (BFH; biochar applied to the soil layer at 5–10 cm) + F, biochar band placement (BFB; biochar applied to the soil layer at 15–20 cm) + F, and biochar band and hole placement + F (BFBH). The results showed that, regardless of the placement method, biochar application increased soil total organic C (TOC) and C pool management index by 6.9–39.7% and 4.1–36.1%, respectively, especially for dissolved organic C (DOC; 6.9–51.3%), readily oxidizable C (ROC; 2.4–46.4%), and microbial biomass C (MBC; 10.4–41.7%). Single biochar placement methods significantly influenced DOC, MBC, and ROC contents of both soil layers in the rank order of BFH ≈ BFBH > BFB at 0–15 cm and BFB ≈ BFBH > BFH at 15–30 cm. Soil TN and microbial biomass N (MBN) mainly accumulated at the site of biochar placement. The increased soil TOC:TN and MBC:N ratios under biochar treatments promoted inorganic N immobilization and reduced the loss of ammonium N and nitrate N (NO3−-N) through leaching at the early stage of tobacco growth. Biochar-adsorbed N was remobilized at a later period (vigorous growth stage and maturity), possibly causing the slow decrease in NO3−-N content. Additionally, soil C and N pools were significantly influenced by the main effects of soil layer and growth stage. Overall, biochar application increased soil C and N pools and inorganic N supply through N remobilization. However, the increased labile organic C content and microbial activity may prevent C sequestration in biochar-amended soils. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biochar-Complemented Compost: Production, Characterization, and Application)
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16 pages, 1343 KiB  
Article
Soil OC and N Stocks in the Saline Soil of Tunisian Gataaya Oasis Eight Years after Application of Manure and Compost
by Nadhem Brahim, Hatem Ibrahim, Rawan Mlih, Abdelhakim Bouajila, Nissaf Karbout and Roland Bol
Land 2022, 11(3), 442; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11030442 - 20 Mar 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2245
Abstract
Soil organic matter plays an important role in improving soil properties, crop productivity and is a key constituent and driver of the global carbon cycle. Nevertheless, relatively limited quantitative information is available on the organic carbon (OC) stocks and the actual potentials for [...] Read more.
Soil organic matter plays an important role in improving soil properties, crop productivity and is a key constituent and driver of the global carbon cycle. Nevertheless, relatively limited quantitative information is available on the organic carbon (OC) stocks and the actual potentials for OC and total nitrogen (N) sequestration under arid cropping systems. In this study, we evaluated the immediate and long-term (after eight years) effects of compost or manure additions, at a rate of 100 t ha−1, on the soil OC and N stocks in the Gataaya oasis in Southern Tunisia. The oasis had been abandoned and no additions had taken place in the 10 years prior to experiment. Soil samples were taken systematically every 10 cm up to a depth of 50 cm. After adding compost (CMP) and manure (MAN) in 2013, the bulk density (BD) decreased in the surface layers, especially at the 0–10 cm soil layer where it declined from 1.53 g cm−3 to 1.38 g cm−3 under compost and 1.41 g cm−3 under manure. Soil OC and N stocks, however, increased after adding compost and manure. Manure contributed more to OC stock increase than compost, with +337 and +241%, respectively. Correspondingly, the N stock increased by + 47 and +12%, respectively, due to manure and compost. After four years, compared to 2013 stocks, the decrease in OC stock was almost identical with −43 (CMP) and −41% (MAN). However, N stock seemed more stable under compost compared to manure, with −2 and −19%, respectively. After eight years, the N stock remained higher in the deepest layer 30–50 cm compared to other layers. This suggested that high gypsum application can inhibit N mineralization. The initial enhanced OC stock after the organic amendment, both for compost and for manure, was very quickly lost and after eight years had virtually returned to the initial OC state by the end of the eight years. Therefore, these oasis ecosystems require a near annual supply of exogenous organic material to maintain OC at an enhanced level. After eight years, manure amendment was found to be better than compost for increasing soil OC (3.16 against 1.86 t/ha, respectively) and for increasing N (0.35 against 0.18 t/ha, respectively). However, the cost and availability make the amendment with compost more interesting in oasis (400 Tunisian dinars/t for compost against 1016 Tunisian dinars/t for manure). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biochar-Complemented Compost: Production, Characterization, and Application)
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15 pages, 1114 KiB  
Article
Biochar Enriched with Buffalo Slurry Improved Soil Nitrogen and Carbon Dynamics, Nutrient Uptake and Growth Attributes of Wheat by Reducing Leaching Losses of Nutrients
by Hafiz Muhammad Rashad Javeed, Mazhar Ali, Imtiaz Ahmed, Xiukang Wang, Ibrahim Al-Ashkar, Rafi Qamar, Abdullah Ibrahim, Muhammad Habib-Ur-Rahman, Allah Ditta and Ayman EL Sabagh
Land 2021, 10(12), 1392; https://doi.org/10.3390/land10121392 - 16 Dec 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2482
Abstract
The present investigation was conducted to understand the role of enriched biochar on soil nitrogen and carbon dynamics, leaching losses of nutrients, and growth attributes of wheat. Buffalo slurry (BS) was used to enrich the biochar for 24 h and 2% biochar (SB) [...] Read more.
The present investigation was conducted to understand the role of enriched biochar on soil nitrogen and carbon dynamics, leaching losses of nutrients, and growth attributes of wheat. Buffalo slurry (BS) was used to enrich the biochar for 24 h and 2% biochar (SB) or enriched biochar (SEB) was used. Enrichment of biochar with BS as SEB improved the C and N contents of biochar by 33–310% and 41–286% respectively. The application of biochar (SB) and enriched biochar (SEB) reduced the net nitrification by 81% and 94%, ammonification by 48% and 74%, and carbon dioxide by 50% and 92% respectively as compared to control. The leaching losses minerals i.e., C (by 30%), N (by 125%), P (by 50%), K (by 82%), Na (by 9%), Ca (by 24%), and Mg (by 12%) was decreased in SEB treatments compared to control. The soil enzyme activities, microbial biomass (MBC and MBN), wheat agronomy, soil bulk density and soil pore density, mineral uptake from the soil, and mineral contents in the plant body were improved in the SEB as compared to SB and control treatments. Our results revealed that the biochar enrichment process could improve the C and N storage in the soil reservoir and lower the environmental risks to soil and water. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biochar-Complemented Compost: Production, Characterization, and Application)
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