Articles
Effect of biochar amendment on soil nutrients and plant growth of highbush blueberry in yellow-brown soil
Article number
1440_67
Pages
489 – 496
Language
English
Abstract
Biochar has been widely used as a soil amendment for improving soil fertility and production in numerous crops.
However, there is limited information regarding the effects of biochar amendment on soil nutrients and its effect on plant growth of highbush blueberry in yellow-brown soil.
Therefore, a 6 months pot experiment was carried out to evaluate the potential of using biochar as a soil amendment for highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum hybrid ‘Lanmei 1’) in yellow-brown soil. 0.5-year-old seedlings of ‘Lanmei 1’ were grown in pots filled with unamended soil (yellow-brown soil) or soil amended at a rate of 10, 20, or 30% biochar (by volume). The seedlings were fertilized once every 2 weeks with 100 mL ammonium sulfate and potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution containing 424 mg L‑1 of N, 227 mg L‑1 of P, 287 mg L‑1 of K. The results show that biochar applications significantly improved the soil organic carbon, soil total N, available P, and available K. Furthermore, biochar amendment significantly increased the plant height (by 15-32%), total branch length (by 45-95%), total leaf area (by 50-135%), and total dry weight (by 58-139%) of ‘Lanmei 1’ blueberry.
Overall, amending yellow-brown soil with biochar appears to be an effective strategy to improve soil fertility and promote plant growth of highbush blueberry.
However, there is limited information regarding the effects of biochar amendment on soil nutrients and its effect on plant growth of highbush blueberry in yellow-brown soil.
Therefore, a 6 months pot experiment was carried out to evaluate the potential of using biochar as a soil amendment for highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum hybrid ‘Lanmei 1’) in yellow-brown soil. 0.5-year-old seedlings of ‘Lanmei 1’ were grown in pots filled with unamended soil (yellow-brown soil) or soil amended at a rate of 10, 20, or 30% biochar (by volume). The seedlings were fertilized once every 2 weeks with 100 mL ammonium sulfate and potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution containing 424 mg L‑1 of N, 227 mg L‑1 of P, 287 mg L‑1 of K. The results show that biochar applications significantly improved the soil organic carbon, soil total N, available P, and available K. Furthermore, biochar amendment significantly increased the plant height (by 15-32%), total branch length (by 45-95%), total leaf area (by 50-135%), and total dry weight (by 58-139%) of ‘Lanmei 1’ blueberry.
Overall, amending yellow-brown soil with biochar appears to be an effective strategy to improve soil fertility and promote plant growth of highbush blueberry.
Publication
Authors
Jiguang Wei, Jiafeng Jiang, Qilong Zeng, Yanqin Jiang, Hong Yu
Keywords
soil conditioner, nutrient analysis, soil properties, growth parameters, Vaccinium corymbosum
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