Effect of biochar on the greenhouse gas emissions from farmland and its physicochemical properties

Abstract

To investigate the effects of biochar on greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions by static chamber-gas chromatograph method, a field experiment with three treatments was conducted: soil without fertilizer (CK), soil with conventional fertilizer (N) and soil with chemical fertilizer after biochar application (NB). The results showed that biochar reduced the N2O emission significantly and increased the absorption of CH4 to soil. Compared to N, the N2O emission from NB decreased by 21.76%, and increased CH4 absorption by 55.31%, but no significant difference of CO2 emission was showed between NB and N. Meanwhile biochar increased soil pH, total nitrogen content and organic carbon content, and also decreased soil NH4 + -N content and bulk density. Biochar provided a new way to reduce GHGs from farmland and force air pollution of China’s agriculture.