Variation of Greenhouse Gases Fluxes and Soil Properties with Addition of Biochar from Farm-Wastes in Volcanic and Non-Volcanic Soils

Cristina Muñoz, Milagros Ginebra and Erick Zagal
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Cristina Muñoz: Department of Soils and Natural Resources, Faculty of Agronomy, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán 3812120, Chile
Milagros Ginebra: Doctoral Program in Agronomic Sciences, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán 3812120, Chile
Erick Zagal: Department of Soils and Natural Resources, Faculty of Agronomy, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán 3812120, Chile

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 7, 1-14

Abstract: The decomposition of organic wastes contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and global warming. This study evaluated the effect of biochar (BC) produced from different farm wastes (chicken, pig and cow manures) on greenhouse gas emissions and soil chemical and biological properties in different grassland soils (volcanic and non-volcanic soils). A 288-day laboratory experiment was carried out, monitoring CO 2 , N 2 O and CH 4 emissions and evaluating total C, soil pH, microbial biomass and enzymatic activity in three grassland soils. The results varied depending on the soil type and feedstock of BC produced. BC-cow decreased emissions of CO 2 and CH 4 fluxes for volcanic and non-volcanic soils, probably due to decreases in β-glucosidase activity. Biochars from cow and pig manures increased soil C content, favouring the persistence of C into the soil at 288-days of incubation. Soil pH increased with the application of BC in the soils.

Keywords: greenhouse gases; biochar; farm wastes; microbial biomass; Total Carbon (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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