Agronomy | Free Full-Text | A Review of Biochar and Soil Nitrogen Dynamics

Agronomy 2013, 3(2), 275-293; doi:10.3390/agronomy3020275

Review

A Review of Biochar and Soil Nitrogen Dynamics

Tim J. Clough ^1,* , Leo M. Condron ^1,2 , Claudia Kammann ³  and Christoph Müller ^3,4 

¹ Department of Soil and Physical Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand² Bio-Protection Research Centre, PO Box 84, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, Christchurch, New Zealand³ Department of Plant Ecology, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32 (IFZ), University Gießen, Germany⁴ School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland

* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received: 1 February 2013; in revised form: 8 April 2013 / Accepted: 8 April 2013 / Published: 16 April 2013

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biochar as Option for Sustainable Resource Management)

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Abstract: Interest in biochar stems from its potential agronomic benefits and carbon sequestration ability. Biochar application alters soil nitrogen (N) dynamics. This review establishes emerging trends and gaps in biochar-N research. Biochar adsorption of NO₃⁻, up to 0.6 mg g⁻¹ biochar, occurs at pyrolysis temperatures >600 °C with amounts adsorbed dependent on feedstock and NO₃⁻ concentration. Biochar NH₄⁺ adsorption depends on feedstock, but no pyrolysis temperature trend is apparent. Long-term practical effectiveness of inorganic-N adsorption, as a NO₃⁻ leaching mitigation option, requires further study. Biochar adsorption of ammonia (NH₃) decreases NH₃ and NO₃⁻ losses during composting and after manure applications, and offers a mechanism for developing slow release fertilisers. Reductions in NH₃ loss vary with N source and biochar characteristics. Manure derived biochars have a role as N fertilizers. Increasing pyrolysis temperatures, during biochar manufacture from manures and biosolids, results in biochars with decreasing hydrolysable organic N and increasing aromatic and heterocyclic structures. The short- and long-term implications of biochar on N immobilisation and mineralization are specific to individual soil-biochar combinations and further systematic studies are required to predict agronomic and N cycling responses. Most nitrous oxide (N₂O) studies measuring nitrous oxide (N₂O) were short-term in nature and found emission reductions, but long-term studies are lacking, as is mechanistic understanding of reductions. Stable N isotopes have a role in elucidating biochar-N-soil dynamics. There remains a dearth of information regarding effects of biochar and soil biota on N cycling. Biochar has potential within agroecosystems to be an N input, and a mitigation agent for environmentally detrimental N losses. Future research needs to systematically understand biochar-N interactions over the long term.

Keywords: biochar; immobilization; mineralization; nitrate leaching; nitrogen; nitrous oxide; ammonia volatilisation

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Cite This Article

MDPI and ACS Style

Clough, T.J.; Condron, L.M.; Kammann, C.; Müller, C. A Review of Biochar and Soil Nitrogen Dynamics. Agronomy 2013, 3, 275-293.

AMA Style

Clough TJ, Condron LM, Kammann C, Müller C. A Review of Biochar and Soil Nitrogen Dynamics. Agronomy. 2013; 3(2):275-293.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Clough, Tim J.; Condron, Leo M.; Kammann, Claudia; Müller, Christoph. 2013. "A Review of Biochar and Soil Nitrogen Dynamics." Agronomy 3, no. 2: 275-293.

Agronomy | Free Full-Text | A Review of Biochar and Soil Nitrogen Dynamics