« Back

Abstract:

The application of biochar into soil could increase the immobilization of macronutrients and micronutrients and reduce their uptake to a plant therefore we studied the transmission of nutrients to the maize organs in relations to the addition of biochar at the different rates in loamy Haplic Luvisol in the locality of Dolná Malanta (Slovakia). Soil and plant samples were collected from the plots exposed to the following treatments: 1) B0 – no biochar as the control, 2) B10 – biochar at rate of 10 t ha^-1, 3) B20 – biochar at rate of 20 t ha^-1. The results showed that in B10 and B20 treatments, the values of soil pH were higher by 8% and by 10% in comparison with B0. A higher content of the total organic carbon in B10 (12.1 ± 0.81 g kg^-1) and B20 (13.6 ± 1.59 g kg^-1) than in B0 (10.9 ± 1.69 g kg^-1) was also determined. Our results showed no significant trends on the changes of total nitrogen due to biochar application. The addition of 20 t ha^-1 of biochar increased significantly total Mn content in the soil by 5% as compared to B0 plot. The contents of HCl-extractable Mn, Zn and Ni were influenced significantly by the biochar application. Mg content in stalks was increased significantly only after the application of biochar at rate of 20 t ha^-1. Biochar affected significantly Ni contents in stalks (in case of B20) and leaves (in case of B10) of maize. The application of biochar increased significantly bioaccumulation of Mg in stalks of maize and their values in B10 and in B20 treatments were higher by 25% and 40% in comparison to B0. In comparison to B0, bioaccumulation of Ni in stalks was lower by 32% and 44% in B10 and B20, respectively. The application of 10 and 20 t ha^-1 of biochar decreased bioaccumulation of Ni in leaves by 37%.