Biochar and Manure from Cattle Fed Biochar as Agricultural Amendments Alter CH 4 Oxidation in a Gray Luvisol

Tien L. Weber, Guillermo Hernandez-Ramirez, Sylvie Quideau and M. Derek MacKenzie ()
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Tien L. Weber: Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
Guillermo Hernandez-Ramirez: Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
Sylvie Quideau: Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
M. Derek MacKenzie: Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada

Land, 2023, vol. 12, issue 7, 1-16

Abstract: Greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions from agricultural practices contribute 14% of anthropogenic emissions to the atmosphere, and novel practices to reduce these emissions, including feeding cattle a modified diet, are of interest. This study examines how additions of manure from cattle fed a regular diet or a diet supplemented with 2% biochar, and biochar at 5 or 10 Mg ha −1 , impact GHG emissions in a Gray Luvisol agricultural field experiment. Emissions of CH 4 and N 2 O were monitored, and soil samples were collected to analyze exchangeable NPKS, microbial biomass, total C and N, electrical conductivity, and pH. Wheat ( Triticum aestivum ) was planted, and grain yield measured. We calculated the yield-based emission factor (EF yield ) and cumulative area-based GHG emissions emission factor (EF area ). The results showed an up to 98.5% change in the inhibition of CH 4 oxidation from biochar-manure + biochar at 5 and 10 Mg ha −1 compared to the CT. The biochar in biochar-manure may have acted as a biocide to methanotrophs, causing a reduction in the release of CH 4 over time. Yet, there were no significant differences in N 2 O emissions amongst treatments. Therefore, biochar-manure + biochar at 5 and 10 Mg ha −1 applications may impact total GHG emissions and improve grain productivity and protein content compared to BM alone.

Keywords: greenhouse gases; cattle; manure; biochar (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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