Effects of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) straw and its biochar application on NH3 volatilization and N use efficiency in a drip-irrigated cotton field

Reducing ammonia (NH 3 ) volatilization is a practical way to increase nitrogen (N) fertilizer use efficiency (NUE). In this field study, soil was amended once with either cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) straw (6 t ha −1 ) or its biochar (3.7 t ha −1 ) unfertilized (0 kg N ha −1 ) or fertilized (450 ...

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Published in:Soil science and plant nutrition (Tokyo) 2016-11, Vol.62 (5-6), p.534-544
Main Authors: Li, Qi, Liao, Na, Zhang, Ni, Zhou, Guangwei, Zhang, Wen, Wei, Xing, Ye, Jun, Hou, Zhenan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
ammonia volatilization
biochar
Cotton straw
NUE
yield
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Summary:Reducing ammonia (NH 3 ) volatilization is a practical way to increase nitrogen (N) fertilizer use efficiency (NUE). In this field study, soil was amended once with either cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) straw (6 t ha −1 ) or its biochar (3.7 t ha −1 ) unfertilized (0 kg N ha −1 ) or fertilized (450 kg N ha −1 ), and then soil inorganic N concentration and distribution, NH 3 volatilization, cotton yield and NUE were measured during the next two growing seasons. In unfertilized plots, NH 3 volatilization losses in the straw-amended and biochar-amended treatments were 38-40% and 42-46%, respectively, less than that in control (i.e., unamended soil) during the two growing seasons. In the fertilized plots, NH 3 volatilization losses in the straw-amended and biochar-amended treatments were 30-39% and 43-54%, respectively, less than that in the control. Straw amendment increased inorganic N concentrations, cotton yield, cotton N uptake and NUE during the first cropping season after application, but not during the second. In contrast, biochar increased cotton N uptake and NUE during both the first and the second cropping seasons after application. Furthermore, the effects of biochar on cotton N uptake and NUE were greater in the second year than in the first year. These results indicate that cotton straw and cotton straw biochar can both reduce NH 3 volatilization and also increase cotton yield, N uptake and NUE. In addition, the positive effects of one application of cotton straw biochar were more long-lasting than those of cotton straw.
ISSN:0038-0768
1747-0765
DOI:10.1080/00380768.2016.1219969