{"id":1486,"date":"2020-01-21T15:11:06","date_gmt":"2020-01-21T23:11:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/?p=1486"},"modified":"2020-01-21T16:31:04","modified_gmt":"2020-01-22T00:31:04","slug":"research-evaluation-biochar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/research-evaluation-biochar\/","title":{"rendered":"Research Update: Evaluation of Biochar"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Note: This is part of a Research Update series that highlights projects funded by the Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) annual grant program. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project Title: <\/strong>Evaluation\nof Biochar for On-Farm Soil Management in California<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project Leaders:<\/strong> Danielle Gelardi, Sanjai J. Parikh, William R. Horwath, Daniel Geissler, Toby O\u2019Geen, Kate M. Scow (UC Davis), Milt McGiffen (UC Riverside), Michelle Leinfelder-Miles (UC ANR) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project Status:<\/strong> Year 2 of 3<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overview:<\/strong> This FREP-funded project will provide baseline data for biochar application to agricultural lands in California\u2019s Central Valley. More specifically, this project is evaluating biochar\u2019s potential as a soil amendment for impacting crop yield, soil moisture, nutrient retention and carbon sequestration, with attention paid to agronomic parameters such as biochar application rate and fertilizer rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Background:<\/strong> Biochar is produced from pyrolysis, a high-temperature decomposition of biomass (agricultural and forestry waste), and it has been proposed as an effective way to increase soil carbon stocks and improve soil health and ecosystem services. However, due to differences in biochar feedstock, production methods, soil properties, climate and cropping systems, there have been inconsistent reports on biochar impacts in agricultural systems. Results vary as to biochar\u2019s ability to increase crop yields while addressing issues such as nitrate leaching, nutrient-use efficiency and soil organic matter levels. Thus, there is a need for reliable and localized research data to inform growers, stakeholders and policy makers of the benefits and trade-offs of biochar use on agricultural lands. The project aims to fill this knowledge gap by providing long-term empirical research data about the potential of biochar to boost crop yields and nutrient-use efficiency while minimizing nitrogen losses in the field. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Approach<\/strong>: <\/em>The researchers tested basic physical and chemical properties of seven types of biochar, produced from different feedstocks and temperatures. Table 1 shows different types of biochar used in this study, the method of pyrolysis, and important physical and chemical properties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Table 1. Biochar characterization data. All values reported as mean (n=3). Abbreviations: EC, electrical conductivity; CEC, cation exchange capacity; DOC, dissolved organic carbon.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/th><\/th><\/th><\/th><\/th><\/th><\/th><\/th><\/th><\/th><\/th><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
ID<\/td>Feedstock<\/td>Pyrolysis<\/td>Carbon (%)<\/td>Nitrogen (%)<\/td>Oxygen (%)<\/td>Ash (%)<\/td>pH<\/td>EC (ms cm-1<\/sup>)<\/td>Surface area (m2<\/sup>g1<\/sup>)<\/td>CEC (cmolc\/kg)<\/td>DOC (mg\/kg)<\/td><\/tr>
NO (Control)<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td><\/tr>
AS<\/td>almond shell (raw)<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td><\/tr>
CS650<\/td>coconut shell<\/td>slow<\/td>71.2<\/td>0.8<\/td>13.7<\/td>5.3<\/td>7.8<\/td>0.3<\/td>233.6<\/td>26.8<\/td>644.5<\/td><\/tr>
SW500-I<\/td>softwood sawdust w\/ inoculant<\/td>hydro<\/td>63.5<\/td>0.7<\/td>20.1<\/td>9.2<\/td>10.4<\/td>2.1<\/td>152.6<\/td>34.1<\/td>32171.2<\/td><\/tr>
AS500<\/td>75% almond shell, 25% softwood sawdust<\/td>hydro<\/td>65.8<\/td>0.8<\/td>17.1<\/td>19.0<\/td>9.3<\/td>3.2<\/td>54.7<\/td>24<\/td>38322.1<\/td><\/tr>
AS800<\/td>almond shell<\/td>gasification<\/td>35.3<\/td>0.6<\/td>26.4<\/td>55.4<\/td>10.1<\/td>27.2<\/td>188.2<\/td>52.7<\/td>479.3<\/td><\/tr>
SW650<\/td>pine<\/td>slow<\/td>78.3<\/td>0.3<\/td>10.2<\/td>4.5<\/td>8<\/td>0.1<\/td>305.6<\/td>21.6<\/td>351.2<\/td><\/tr>
SW500<\/td>softwood sawdust<\/td>hydro<\/td>70.9<\/td>0.1<\/td>17.1<\/td> 4.5 <\/td>7.8<\/td>2.5<\/td>93.5<\/td>16.5<\/td>43776.2<\/td><\/tr>
SW800<\/td>softwood forestry thinning<\/td>mixed<\/td>41.8<\/td> 0.1 <\/td>15.3<\/td>31.5<\/td>10.3<\/td>2.7<\/td>363.6<\/td>60.8<\/td>631.4<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In 2017, the researchers carried out a growth chamber experiment to test the effects of seven types of biochar, a raw almond shell amendment, and the control (no biochar) (Table 1) on romaine lettuce biomass and nitrogen accumulation. In addition, they established two three-year field trials in Davis and Parlier, Calif. Researchers subsurface banded each biochar at four rates (high, low, tiny, and control), in combination with low (150 lbs N per acre) and high (225 lbs N per acre) UAN-32 fertilizer rates. The experimental design is a randomized complete block design with three replicates per treatment combination. Processing tomatoes were planted each spring and harvested each fall, with data collected on marketable tomato yield, as well as plant and soil carbon and nitrogen content. The researchers developed a nitrogen budget to calculate and determine nitrogen losses through leaching and volatilization loss pathways. The data collection and analysis are ongoing in the lab and field experiments, with the third and final field season beginning in spring of 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preliminary results:<\/strong> Although not statistically analyzed, the researchers indicated that biochar produced from pyrolysis of pine (SW650) and coconut shell (CS650) had the highest concentration of carbon, respectively. However, the highest concentration of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was observed in the softwood sawdust biochar (SW500) (Table 1). The results of growth chamber experiment showed that AS800 was problematic for plant growth; however, all other biochars showed no negative effect on plant growth parameters. Preliminary data suggest that CS650, SW650-M, SW500-I, and SW800 provide the most benefit for plant growth (Figure 1, left). Also, AS and AS500 indicated slightly smaller biomass accumulation compared to the control (Figure 1, left). SW500-I, SW500, and CS650 biochars resulted in higher plant tissue nitrogen concentrations compared to the other biochar types and control (Figure 1, right).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Two
Figure 1. Plant biomass accumulation (left) and total plant nitrogen concentration (right) for lettuce for each of the biochar treatments and a 0% biochar control (NO). All values reported as mean + SE for experimental replicates (n=4)-2017.<\/em> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the Davis trial, tomato marketable yield (Figure 2) and nitrogen losses through volatilization and leaching (Figure 3) varied depending on the nitrogen and biochar application rates. Results from the Parlier site are pending. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Figure 2. Marketable yield from season 1 (2018) processing tomatoes from Davis trial. High fertilizer rates (225 lbs-N\/acre) at left (a) and low fertilizer (150 lbs-N\/acre) at right (b).<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Figure 3. Nitrogen losses through volatilization and leaching in Davis at (a) high (225 lbs-N\/acre) and (b) low (150 lbs-N\/acre) UAN-32 fertilizer rates. <\/em> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The impacts of different biochar sources and application rates and their interaction with nitrogen application rates are yet to be determined. At the close of this project, there will be a more comprehensive understanding of biochar\u2019s effects on tomato yields, soil carbon sequestration and nutrient retention for Central Valley, Calif. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

CDFA FREP funds projects on research and education regarding the agronomically safe and environmentally sound use of fertilizer in California. Visit https:\/\/www.cdfa.ca.gov\/is\/ffldrs\/frep\/CompetitiveGrantProgram.html<\/a> for more information about the annual FREP Grant Program. Visit https:\/\/www.cdfa.ca.gov\/is\/ffldrs\/frep\/Research.html<\/a> for details about current and completed FREP-funded projects, as well as a searchable database that aims to make the research available, understandable and convenient for growers to implement.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Note: This is part of a Research Update series that highlights projects funded by the Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) annual grant program. Project Title: Evaluation of Biochar for On-Farm Soil Management in California Project Leaders: Danielle Gelardi, Sanjai J. Parikh, William R. Horwath, Daniel Geissler, Toby O\u2019Geen, Kate M. Scow (UC Davis), Milt McGiffen (UC Riverside), Michelle Leinfelder-Miles (UC …<\/p>\n

Read More<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1618,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[86],"tags":[133,405],"class_list":["post-1486","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-all","tag-biochar","tag-research-updates"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p9r16A-nY","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":139,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/key-learnings-from-the-frepwpha-conference\/","url_meta":{"origin":1486,"position":0},"title":"Key Learnings from the FREP\/WPHA Conference","author":"Brooke Elliot","date":"November 30, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"The twenty fourth annual FREP\/WPHA Conference took place on October 26-27, where speakers from industry, academia, and agricultural consulting provided cutting edge information on nutrient management in California agriculture. The conference presentations covered a wide range of nutrient management topics including education and outreach, soil microbiology, government regulations and irrigation,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nutrient Management Events"","block_context":{"text":"Nutrient Management Events","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/category\/nutrient-management-events\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Conf-Key-Learnings-Banner","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Conf-Key-Learnings-Banner-1024x330.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Conf-Key-Learnings-Banner-1024x330.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Conf-Key-Learnings-Banner-1024x330.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":134,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/fertilizer-research-conference-will-be-held-in-modesto-october-26-27-2016\/","url_meta":{"origin":1486,"position":1},"title":"Fertilizer Research Conference Will be Held in Modesto, October 26-27, 2016","author":"Brooke Elliot","date":"October 20, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"The California Department of Food and Agriculture\u2019s Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) and the Western Plant Health Association (WPHA) are hosting their 24th annual fertilizer research conference on October 26-27, 2016 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Modesto, California. This event brings together industry professionals and academic researchers to learn\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nutrient Management Events"","block_context":{"text":"Nutrient Management Events","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/category\/nutrient-management-events\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Conf-Blog-Banner","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Conf-Blog-Banner.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Conf-Blog-Banner.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Conf-Blog-Banner.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Conf-Blog-Banner.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":129,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/availability-of-fertilizer-research-and-education-grant-funding\/","url_meta":{"origin":1486,"position":2},"title":"Availability of Fertilizer Research and Education Grant Funding","author":"Brooke Elliot","date":"August 16, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Grant proposals are due on September 1, 2016. FREP is currently accepting proposals for a 2016 special grant for fertilizer research and education. This competitive grant program funds research that advances the environmentally safe and agronomically sound use of fertilizing materials. Funding availability is limited to proposals that address the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "FREP Grant Program"","block_context":{"text":"FREP Grant Program","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/category\/frep-grant-program\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":184,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/research-update-data-driven-nitrate-leaching-hazard-index-and-bmp-assessment-tool\/","url_meta":{"origin":1486,"position":3},"title":"Research Update: Data Driven Nitrate Leaching Hazard Index and BMP Assessment Tool","author":"Brooke Elliot","date":"March 14, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Research Project: A Data Driven Nitrate Leaching Hazard Index and BMP Assessment Tool - O\u2019Geen, A. et al. Status: Second year of a three year study Issue: California growers are faced with the challenge of producing high-quality crops while minimizing the movement of fertilizer nitrogen to groundwater. One major difficulty\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "All"","block_context":{"text":"All","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Figure 1. Spatial distribution of simulated travel times for a HYDRUS model map of nitrate leaching (50% complete).","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/OGeen-blog-810x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":334,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/grants-to-begin-funding-january-2018\/","url_meta":{"origin":1486,"position":4},"title":"Grants to Begin Funding January 2018","author":"Brooke Elliot","date":"January 2, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"The Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is pleased to announce the award of almost $800,000 in grant funds to agricultural organizations and universities this year. These grants will fund four projects that will improve the efficiency and reduce the environmental\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "FREP Grant Program"","block_context":{"text":"FREP Grant Program","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/category\/frep-grant-program\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":2775,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/observations-from-the-field-central-coast-growers-adopt-winter-cover-crops-to-improve-nitrogen-use-efficiency-and-facilitate-regulatory-compliance\/","url_meta":{"origin":1486,"position":5},"title":"Observations from the Field: Central Coast Growers Adopt Winter Cover Crops to Improve Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Facilitate Regulatory Compliance","author":"Karen Adler","date":"April 27, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Note: This is part of a Research and Outreach Update series that highlights projects funded by the California Department of Food and Agriculture\u2019s (CDFA)\u00a0Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) annual grant program. Project Title: Facilitating Grower Adoption of Cover Crop Nitrogen Scavenging to Minimize Residual Nitrogen Loss and Comply with\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "FREP Grant Program"","block_context":{"text":"FREP Grant Program","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/category\/frep-grant-program\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/PIs-and-Karen-150x118.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/PIs-and-Karen-150x118.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/PIs-and-Karen-150x118.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/PIs-and-Karen-150x118.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1486","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1618"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1486"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1486\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1505,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1486\/revisions\/1505"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1486"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1486"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1486"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}