Coconut husk biochar amendment enhances nutrient retention by suppressing nitrification in agricultural soil following anaerobic digestate application.

ABSTRACT: Anaerobic digestate and biochar are by-products of the biogasification and pyrolysis of agricultural wastes. This study tested the hypothesis that combined application of anaerobic pig/cattle manure digestate and coconut husk (CH) biochar can improve soil nutrient conditions, whilst minimizing atmospheric and groundwater pollution risks. Microcosms simulated digestate application to agricultural soil with and without CH biochar. Ammonia volatilization and nutrient leaching were quantified after simulated heavy rainfalls. Archaeal and bacterial community and abundance changes in soils were quantified via next generation sequencing and qPCR of 16S rRNA genes. Nitrifying bacteria were additionally quantified by qPCR of functional genes. It was found that CH biochar retarded nitrate leaching v

SUBMITTER: Plaimart J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7762785 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature