Synergistic Effects of Acacia Prunings-Derived Biochar and Nitrogen Application on the Mineral Profile of Maize ( Zea mays L.) Grains

Habib Ullah, Sahib Alam, Waqar Ahmad, Stuart Morrow, Muhammad Sabir and Yacine Hemar
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Habib Ullah: Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar 25130, Pakistan
Sahib Alam: Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar 25130, Pakistan
Waqar Ahmad: School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
Stuart Morrow: School of Chemical Science, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
Muhammad Sabir: Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
Yacine Hemar: School of Chemical Science, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 5, 1-14

Abstract: Despite the proven impact of biochar (BC) on crop yield, little is known about its effect on cereal grain quality. We explored the effect of acacia pruning-derived biochar and nitrogen (N) applications on the mineral profile of maize grains in a field study. Biochar was applied at the rates of 5, 10, 15, and 20 t ha −1 and N at 100, 150, and 200 kg ha −1 along with the control (BC or N not applied) in a split-plot arrangement using a randomized complete block design. At crop maturity, the grains were analyzed for K, P, Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe, and Cu content. The results showed that BC application at the rate of 10 t ha −1 along with N at 200 kg ha −1 resulted in the highest concentrations of K, P, Ca, and Mg in grains. The Fe content was the maximum at the N application rate of 200 kg ha −1 while Zn and Cu had the highest concentration at 150 kg N ha −1 with no BC. It was concluded that the integrated use of BC and N could be a valuable strategy to improve the nutritional quality of maize grains. The enrichment of BC with micronutrients is recommended to achieve the desired concentration of micronutrients in maize grains to help cure malnutrition. However, further investigation is warranted to validate the impact of BC made of different feedstocks on soils of contrasting mineralogy as organo-mineral interactions might mask the true potential of BC.

Keywords: biochar; nitrogen fertilization; natural resource management; minerals; maize grain; circular economy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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