Biochar Field trial results in Norway - 2011
1Adam
1Bioforsk
O’Toole, Daniel P. Rasse, 2Bjørn Lilleeng
Soil and Environment, Ås, Norway.
2 Norsk Landbruksrådgiving Gudbrandsdalen
Støttet av:
Field trials in Norway - 2011
Sel
Ås
Notodden
Introduction
• Carbonizing biomass renders plant-C more resistant
to biological breakdown – a feature making it
attractive for increasing soil C stocks.
Ås – Can biochar be used for carbon
storage?
• Biochar is a novel
solution for increasing
Soil C and reducing
atomospheric CO2
…provided that it:
• It is in fact stable, and
leads to an overall
increase in soil-C
• Does not pose a risk to
food production and soil
health
Purpose of study
To estimate the stability of biochar-C and effects of
biochar on native soil-C under field conditions
Methods
• C Stability: Measuringthe δ13C signature
and CO2 efflux of a C3 soil after additons
of Miscanthus (C4 plant) derived biochar
C4 plants: ~ -15‰
Miscanthus
δ13C
Oats
C3 SOM: ~ -30‰
Methods
• Equipment: Closed static
chambers, Infrared gas analyzer
(IRGA) for CO2 efflux and
Piccaro G1101-i for δ13C
measurements)
• Keeling plot method used to
isolate soil respired CO2 in
chamber measurements.
Biochar and Soil description
• Feedstock: Miscanthus giganteus (Elephant Grass)
• Produced by Pyreg Gmbh (Germany)
Pyroysis temperature 650-750 °C
• Fixed C = 70%
VM= 7%
Ash= 23%
• Total N: 2.5 g kg-1
• Total P: 1.3 g kg-1
• Total K:4.8 g kg-1
• pH: 10
• BET: 349 m2 g-1
• Soil: Inceptisol, Sandy Clay Loam, TOC: 2.5 %
Field Trial
• 2010-2013
• Biochar inverse
ploughed in the
fall of 2010
• 2011 crop: Oats
• 2012 crop: Barley
Experimental Design
16 plots - 4 treatments x 4 reps
1.
2.
3.
4.
Miscanthus Biochar 8 t C ha-1
Miscanthus residue 8t C ha-1
Control – no amendments
Miscanthus Biochar 25 t C ha-1
• Randomized block design
Results
Soil respiration 2011
0,800
0,700
g CO2 m-2 h-1
0,600
0,500
Miscanthus 8t C ha-1
Control
0,400
Biochar 8t C ha-1
0,300
Biochar 25t C ha-1
Average for season
0,200
0,100
0,000
17.05.2011
06.06.2011
26.06.2011
16.07.2011
05.08.2011
25.08.2011
14.09.2011
0.33C
0.32MC8
0.31BC8
0.29BC25
δ13 C measurements
δ13 C
SD (n=2)
Control
-29,8
0,4
Biochar 8 t
-29,6
0,3
Biochar 25 t
-29,4
2,0
Miscanthus 8 t
-26,8
1,6
Contribution of C4 derived C to soil-C loss
Oat grain yield (kg per dekar)
700
-5%
600
+6%
Kg daa-1
500
400
300
200
100
0
Control
MC8
BC8
BC25
No significant diff. Between treatments
Straw yield DM (kg plot-1)
4,5
4,0
3,5
3,0
2,5
2,0
1,5
1,0
0,5
0,0
4,0
3,8
4,0
BC 8t C ha-1
BC 25 t C ha-1
3,5
Control
MC 8 t C ha-1
No significant diff. Between treatments
What can we conclude so far on soil and plant effects?
Heavy metal content
Biochar was well under the legal limits
set for soil amendments in Norway
Conclusion
Preliminary first year results
• Appeared relatively stabil and did not prime native C
• Did not lead to decreased plant and grain yields
• More years are required to establish a trend
Interreg: Climate Saving Soils project
Field Trial: Simmenstad Farm, Sel. Norway 2011-12
Experimental Design
16 plots - 4 treatments x 4 reps
Fertilizer
1. Biochar 2t daa-1
10 kg N daa-1
2. Sludge 2t daa-1
6 kg N daa-1
3. Biochar 2t + sludge 2t daa-1
6 kg N daa-1
4. Control – no amendments
10 kg N daa-1
• Randomized block design
A poor year for grain in Norway
Photo: Karl Erik Berge (Nationen
Flood in Gudbrandsdalen, June 2011
110 mm in one week (normal 50 mm/mth)
441mm from June 01 – Sept 29 (normal 228 mm)
Soil erosion from the flood
The field in July – flood effects
Soil water and temperature effects
Plant and grain yields
Barley grain yield Sel 2011
Yield as compared to 5 year average barley yield
(kg daa-1)
500
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011 (10%)
Biochar
Sludge
BC + S
Control
Thanks for your attention
Acknowledgements
- Svend Pung – SKP, UMB
- Toril Trædal (UMB)
- Bjørn Lilleeng (NLR) Gudbrandsdalen
- Kåre Simmenstad (farmer)
- Christophe Moni, Farshad Tami
and Robert Barneveld
Funding: Matprogrammet, Norwegian Research
Council. Interreg IV NSR program and SLF
Our website: www.bioforsk.no/biochar