Impact of biochar on crop yield and nitrogen

2011
CC BY 4.0

Research organisation
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Daniel Dempster (UWA)
Nadine Hollamby (Liebe Group)
Zakaria Solaiman (UWA)
Year(s) 2011
Contributor Liebe Group
Trial location(s) Buntine, WA
Impact of biochar on crop yield and nitrogen locations
Aims
  • To determine the impacts of biochar on crop yield.
  • To determine how biochar influences plant nitrogen uptake and soil nitrogen mineralization.
  • To compare the effectiveness of different methods of applying biochar to the soil.
Key messages
Not specified
Lead research organisation N/A
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source GRDC LIE00006
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

This research was funded by Grain Research Development Corporation (GRDC) through LLE00006, ‘Improved stubble & soil management for sustainable farming systems in the Liebe area’.


Other trial partners Not specified
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop type Cereal (Grain): Wheat
Treatment type(s)
  • Fertiliser : Rate
  • Soil Improvement : Type
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Replicated

Buntine 2011

Sow rate or Target density 60
Sow date 30 May 2011
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size 20m x 2m
Plot replication 4
Paddock history 2008 - wheat, 2009 - canola, 2010 - wheat
Fertiliser

As per treatment  (N), 50 kg/ha Bigphos + Mn 

Herbicide

2 L/ha Roundup PowerMax, 2.5 L/ha BoxerGold

Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Download results

Trial results Table 1

@T1: Post tillering @T2: Athesis
# Treatment 1
Treatment 2
Protein (%) Grain yield (t/ha) Biomass (t/ha) Biomass (t/ha)
1 Banded Biochar 0 kg N 8.7 2 0.23 3.58
1 Nil Biochar 0 kg N 8.55 1.91 0.25 4
1 Spread Biochar 0 kg N 9.07 2.18 0.25 3.16
2 Banded Biochar 20 kg N 8.85 2.31 0.28 3.62
2 Nil Biochar 20 kg N 8.85 1.99 0.36 3.77
2 Spread Biochar 20 kg N 8.82 2.38 0.29 4.04
3 Banded Biochar 40 kg N 8.6 2.76 0.38 4.85
3 Nil Biochar 40 kg N 8.95 2.71 0.32 5.38
3 Spread Biochar 40 kg N 8.9 2.33 0.34 4.93
4
4
4
5
5
5
6
6
6
7
7
7
8
8
8
9
9
9

Grain yield t/ha


Loading

Biomass t/ha


Loading

Protein %


Loading
Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Site Depth Type pH EC P K N A OC CAT
Buntine, WA 0 - 10cm Sandy loam 5.50 0.04
Buntine, WA 10 - 30cm Sandy loam 4.60
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Buntine, WA Sandy loam
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Buntine, WA Kandosol
Soil Moisture Source: BOM/ANU
Average amount of water stored in the soil profile during the year, estimated by the OzWALD model-data fusion system.
Year Buntine WA
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000

Climate

Buntine WA 2011


Observed climate information

Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 295mm

Derived climate information

Buntine WA

Loading
Loading
Loading

Some data on this site is sourced from the Bureau of Meteorology

SILO weather estimates sourced from https://www.longpaddock.qld.gov.au/silo/
Jeffrey, S.J., Carter, J.O., Moodie, K.B. and Beswick, A.R. (2001). Using spatial interpolation to construct a comprehensive archive of Australian climate data , Environmental Modelling and Software, Vol 16/4, pp 309-330. DOI: 10.1016/S1364-8152(01)00008-1.

Trial report and links

2011 trial report