Loading...

Agricultural Science Digest

Potential of Biochar for Minesoil Amendment and Floristic Diversity Enhancement at the Yongwa Quarry Site in the Eastern Region of Ghana

DOI: 10.18805/ag.D-254    | Article Id: D-254 | Page : 61-65
Citation :- Potential of Biochar for Minesoil Amendment and Floristic Diversity Enhancement at the Yongwa Quarry Site in the Eastern Region of Ghana.Agricultural Science Digest.2021.(41):61-65
D. Adusu, S. Abugre, D. Dei-Kusi simon.abugre@uenr.edu.gh
Address : Department of Forest Science, UENR, P. O. Box 214, Sunyani.
Submitted Date : 3-04-2020
Accepted Date : 21-10-2020
First Online:

Abstract

Background: Reclamation of degraded and mined lands has become paramount due to exploitation of our resources. The study sought to explore the potential of biochar for amending degraded mined soil and stockpiled topsoil and its ability to enhance plant diversity at the Yongwa quarry site in the eastern region of Ghana. 
Method: Two separate experiments were conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Four treatments were allotted randomly within each block for stockpiled topsoil and amended degraded mined soil experiments and replicated three times. Biochar and poultry manure were applied at 0.002 tons per every 2 m x 2 m plot. However, when applied in combination (biochar and poultry manure), they were applied at 0.001 tons of biochar and 0.001 tons of poultry manure per every 2 m x 2 m plot. 
Result: The results of the study revealed a generally higher nutrient status and species diversity on the plots with amended soils compared to the control. The highest Shannon index (2.04) was recorded on the combined biochar and poultry manure-amended plots while the lowest was recorded on the control plot (1.08). A similar trend was observed on the degraded mined soil amended plots with the combined biochar and poultry manure-amended soil recording the highest Shannon index (2.32) and effective number of species values (10.15) compared to the other amendment plots. 

Keywords

Biochar Degraded soil Plant diversity Stockpile soil

References

  1. Ameloot, N., Sleutel, S., Das. K.C., Kanagaratnam, J. and De Neve S. (2015). Biochar amendment to soils with contrasting organic matter level: effects on N mineralization and biological soil properties. GCB Bioenergy. 7: 135-144. 
  2. Atkinson, C.J., Fitzgerald, J.D. and Hipp,. N.A. (2010). Potential mechanisms for achieving agricultural benefits from biochar application to temperate soils: a review. Plant Soil. 337: 1-18.
  3. Ballard, D., Bradford, B. and Skousen, J. (1996). Use of Reclaimed Land for Horticultural Crop Production. Dept. of Agricultural and Natural Resources, West Virginia University.
  4. Bender, M.R., & Wood, C.W. (2000). Total phosphorus in soil. Methods of Phosphorus Analysis for Soils, Sediments, Residuals and Waters. 45.
  5. Bendfeldt, E.S., Burger, J.A. and Daniels, W.L. (2001). Quality of amended mine soils after sixteen years. Soil Science Society of America Journal. 65(6): 1736-1744.
  6. Biederman, L.A. and Harpole, W.S. (2013). Biochar and its effects on plant productivity and nutrient cycling: a meta analysis. GCB bioenergy. 5(2): 202-214.
  7. Bremner, J.M. (1960). Determination of nitrogen in soil by the Kjeldahl method. The Journal of Agricultural Science. 55(1): 11-33.
  8. Brewer, C.E., Unger, R., Schmidt-Rohr, K. and Brown, R.C. (2011). Criteria to select biochars for field studies based on biochar chemical properties. Bioenergy Research. 4: 312-323.
  9. DeLuca, T., MacKenzie, M.D., Gundale, M.J. and Holben, W.E. (2006). Wildfire-produced charcoal directly influences nitrogen cycling in ponderosa pine forests. Soil. Sci. Soc. Am. J. 70: 448-453.
  10. De Vos, B., Lettens, S., Muys, B. and Deckers, J.A. (2007). Walkley-Black analysis of forest soil organic carbon: recovery, limitations and uncertainty. Soil Use and Management. 23(3): 221-229.
  11. Genesio, L., Miglietta, F., Lugato, E., Baronti, S., Pieri, M. and Vaccari, F.P. (2012). Surface albedo following biochar application in durum wheat. Environmental Resource Letters. 7: doi: 10.1088/1748-9326/7/1/014025.
  12. Glaser, B.; Lehmann, J. & Zech, W. (2002). Ameliorating physical and chemical properties of highly weathered soils in the tropics with charcoal - a review. Biology and Fertility of Soils. 35: 219-230.
  13. Ghana Statistical Service. (2014). 2010 Population and Housing Census: District Analytical Report, Yilo Krobo Municipal. Accra: Ghana Statistical Service.
  14. Gundale, M.J., Nilsson, M.C., Pluchon, N. and Wardle, D.A. (2016). The effect of biochar management on soil and plant community properties in a boreal forest. GCB Bioenergy. 8(4): 777-789.
  15. Keech, O., Carcaillet, C. and Nilsson, M.C. (2005). Adsorption of allelopathic compounds by wood-derived charcoal; the role of wood porosity. Plant and Soil. 272: 291-300.
  16. Kimetu, J.M., Lehmann, J., Ngoze, S.O., Mugendi, D.N., Kinyangi, J., Riha, S.J., Verchot, L., Recha, J.W. and Pell, A.N. (2008). Reversibility of Soil Productivity Decline with Organic Matter of Differing Quality along a Degradation Gradient. Ecosystems. 11: 726-739.
  17. Kuzyakov, Y.; Subbotina, I.; Chen, H.Q.; Bogomolova, I. and Xu, X.L. (2009). Black carbon decomposition and incorporation into soil microbial biomass estimated by C-14 labeling. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 41: 210-219.
  18. Lehmann, J., Rillig, M.C., Thies, J., Masiello, C.A., Hockaday, W.C. and Crowley, D. (2011). Biochar effects of soil biota - A review. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 43: 1812-1836.
  19. Lehmann, J.; Skjemstad, J. and Sohi, S. (2008). Australian climate-carbon cycle feedback reduced by soil black carbon. Nature Geoscience. 1: 832-835.
  20. Liang, B., Lehmann, J., Solomon, D., Sohi, S., Thies, J.E., Skjemstad, J.O., Luizao, F.J., Engelhard, M.H., Neves, E.G. and Wirick, S. (2008). Stability of biomass-derived black carbon in soils. Geochimica Et Cosmochimica Acta. 72: 6069-6078.
  21. Magurran, A.E. (2004). Measuring biological diversity. 2004. Malden: Blackwell.
  22. Novak, J.M., Busscher, W.J., Watts, D.W., Laird, D.A., Ahmedna, M.A. and Niandou, M.A. (2010). Short-term CO2 mineralization after additions of biochar and switchgrass to a Typic Kandiudult. Geoderma. 154(3-4): 281-288.
  23. SERAS, (2002). Standard operating procedure for soil pH determination. SOP. 1844: 1-6.
  24. Stanford, G. and English, L. (1949). Use of the flame photometer in rapid soil tests for K and Ca. Agronomy Journal. 41(9): 446-447.

Global Footprints