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The Effects of Biochar and Anaerobic Digester Effluent on Soil Quality and Crop Growth in Karnataka, India

Sekar, Samantha
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1343750717

Abstract Details

2012, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Environment and Natural Resources.
Both biochar and anaerobic digester effluent, which are byproducts of gasification and anaerobic digestion, respectively, have been proposed as means of improving soil quality, plant productivity, and reducing C emissions. These soil amendments may be especially beneficial in rural regions of developing countries where biomass feedstock is locally available and energy poverty is pervasive. Thus, a field study was conducted in a remote village in Karnataka, India to test the ability biochar and anaerobic digester effluent to enhance soil quality and crop growth on a loamy sand soil. The two-year study included 4 treatments in the first year: control (Ct), biochar (B), effluent (E), and biochar+effluent (B+E) and two additional treatments in the second year: conventional fertilizer (C+F) and biochar+conventional fertilizer (B+F). The biochar was applied at a rate of 30Mg/ha and effluent at a rate of 56.25m3/ha. In the second year, 50kg/ha of NPK fertilizer was added to each conventional fertilizer plot. One year after application, soil ρb significantly decreased by 7.3% and fT increased by 8.5% with biochar addition. Biochar also increased soil pH but had no impact on EC. The effluent did not have a significant effect on any soil properties tested, but after the first cropping season, biomass yield of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) from treatment E was approximately 11 times greater than Ct. Treatment B+E produced an even greater yield, suggesting there was an interactive effect among soil amendments. However, in year 2, there were no significant differences in crop growth or soil N among treatments Ct, B, E, and B+E, nor were there differences in crop growth between C+F and B+F. The results indicate that anaerobic digester effluent has a positive effect on crop growth but that the biochar tested does not improve soil nutrient or water retention, suggesting additional research is required to determine the most effective forms of biochar for improving soil quality and increasing agricultural yields.
Dr. Rattan Lal (Advisor)
Dr. Peter Curtis (Committee Member)
Dr. Jay Martin (Committee Member)
112 p.
Environmental Science; Soil Sciences
biochar; anaerobic digester effluent; biogas slurry; soil quality; karnataka; radish; nutrient retention

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Sekar, S. (2012). The Effects of Biochar and Anaerobic Digester Effluent on Soil Quality and Crop Growth in Karnataka, India [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1343750717

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Sekar, Samantha. The Effects of Biochar and Anaerobic Digester Effluent on Soil Quality and Crop Growth in Karnataka, India. 2012. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1343750717.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Sekar, Samantha. "The Effects of Biochar and Anaerobic Digester Effluent on Soil Quality and Crop Growth in Karnataka, India." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1343750717

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1343750717
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© 2012, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.