1. Soil quality, crop productivity and SOM priming in biochar and wood-ash amended soils
Eleanor (Swain) Reed1*, David Chadwick1, Paul Hill1, Davey Jones1
1School of Environment, Natural Resources & Geography, Bangor University, Bangor, UK
*Now at: Wardell Armstrong LLP, Newcastle, UK
19th April 2016
EGU16

2. Introduction Introduction to Biochar and Wood Ash
Long term Biochar versus Wood Ash Agronomic Field Trial
Key results
Biochar versus Wood Ash Carbon Priming Experiment
Conclusions
Biochar & Wood ash Long term Trial with long term CO2 flux chambers at Henfaes Farm, Bangor University (Photo: E Reed, 27/03/2015)

3. Biochar Carbon sequestration in soil using biochar
Potential secondary agronomic benefits
The main draw back of the use of this commercial product in Welsh agriculture is the current legislative ban on its application to land.
Prove it has no negative effects on soil quality or land management
Powdered biochar used in the long term field trial at Henfaes Farm, Bangor University (Photo: E Reed, 19/03/2015)

4. Wood Ash Residue remaining after the combustion of wood
Acts as a liming agent
Neutralizes soil acidity
Reduces Al toxicity
Potential secondary agronomic benefits
source of Ca, K, Mg and P
Wood ash used in the long term field trial at Henfaes Farm, Bangor University
(Photo: E Reed, 19/03/2015)

5. Long term Biochar versus Wood Ash Agronomic Field Trial
Experimental Aims:
Directly compare the agronomic value of BC versus WA when used in grassland management
Evaluate the impact of BC and WA on soil quality at the field scale over multiple seasons

6. Long term Biochar versus Wood Ash Agronomic Field Trial
Experimental Set-Up:
Randomised block design field trial
Biochar was added at 10 t ha-1
Wood ash was added at a rate equivalent to 10 t ha-1 of biochar which equated to t ha-1 (i.e. ash content of biochar ca. 5.7%)

7. Results on Crop Productivity
Potentially N limited as no fertilizer application was applied.
Biochar & Wood ash Long term Trial at Henfaes Farm, Bangor University (Photo: E Reed, 07/10/2014)

8. Results on Soil Quality
The application of biochar had a significant effect on:
soil moisture;
soil pH;
soil organic matter (SOM);
soil organic carbon (SOC).
The wood ash amendment had a significant effect on:
soil pH

9. Results on Soil Quality

10. Field Trial Conclusions
This study confirms the ability of biochar to sequester carbon
Biochar promotes the long term conservation of soil moisture
Optimum soil pH can reduce the mobility of potentially toxic elements and limit plant uptake
There were no nutritional benefits to the crop
Grass seed application at the long term field trial at Henfaes. (Photo: E Reed, 11/09/2014)

11. Biochar versus Wood Ash Carbon Priming Experiment
Experimental Aims:
Evaluate the SOC priming capacity of biochar and wood ash using 14C- labelled native SOC
Mineralization of native SOC can be enhanced or decreased by the introduction of substrates in soils (i.e. positive or negative priming)
Biochar & Wood ash Carbon Priming Experiment, Bangor University (Photo: E Reed, 07/03/2015)

12. Biochar versus Wood Ash Carbon Priming Experiment
Experimental Set-Up:
Using soil previously labelled with 14C organic matter amended with biochar or wood ash.
Biochar and Wood ash were added at rates comparable to the field trial ( i.e. 10 t ha-1 and 0.57 t ha-1).
The rates of 14CO2 production was measured over 50 days.
Biochar & Wood ash Carbon Priming Experiment, Bangor University (Photo: E Reed, 07/03/2015)

13. Conclusions Substrate co-application to land:
Increase C sequestration via Biochar and
Reduce native SOC turnover via Wood Ash

14. Acknowledgements Any Questions? Prof. Davey Jones Prof. Dave Chadwick
Dr. Paul Hill
Lab Technicians: Sarah Chesworth & Gordon Turner
Field Technicians: John Evans & Alex King
Henfaes Staff: Llinos Hughes & Mark Hughes
Any Questions?
Photo: E Reed, 05/09/2014