Profit Analysis by Soil Carbon Sequestration with Different Composts and Cooperated with Biochar during Corn (Zea mays) Cultivation Periods in Sandy Loam Soil

Despite the ability of biochar to enhance soil fertility and to sequester soil carbon, its potential reduction of green house gas emissions and profit analysis with different organic composts and cooperated with biochar for crop cultivation have been a few evaluated. This study was conducted to estimate their greenhouse gas emission reduction and profit analysis by soil carbon sequestration with different organic composts and cooperated with biochar application during corn cultivation periods. For the experiment, the treatments were consisted of aerobic digestate of swine wastes (AD), pig compost as the control (PC), cow compost (CC) and pig compost cooperated with 1% biochar (PC + 1% biochar). The soil texture used in this study was sandy loam, and application rates of chemical fertilizer were 190-39-221 kg·ha-1 (N-P2O5-K2O) as recommended amount after soil test. The soil samples were periodically taken at every 15 day intervals during the experimental periods. It was observed that soil carbon sequestration by AD, CC and PC + 1% biochar application was estimated to be 429 kg·ha-1, 2366 kg·ha-1, and 3978 kg·ha-1, and their CO2-e emission reductions were estimated to be 0.16 tones for AD, 0.87 tones for CC, and 14.58 tones for PC + 1% biochar per hectar for corn cultivation periods. Their profits were estimated at $14.58 for lowest and $451.90 for highest. In Korea Climate Exchange, it was estimated to be $115.20 per hectar of corn cultivation with PC + 1% biochar. So, the price of CO2 per hectar for corn cultivation with PC + 1% biochar was high at 16.8 times relative to cow compost treatment only. For the plant growth response, it was observed that plant height and fresh ear yield were not significantly different among the treatments. Therefore, these experimental results might be fundamental data for assuming a carbon trading mechanism exists for biochar soil application in agricultural practices.

Carbon Sequestration and Nitrogen Transformation in Soil Cooperated with Organic Composts and Biochar during Corn (<i>Zea mays</i>) Cultivation

Background: Objectives of this study were to investigate changes of soil carbon contents and to evaluate N mineralization and nitrification rates in soils cooperated with organic composts and biochar during the 2nd year corn cultivation. Methods and Results: For the experiment, the soil texture used in this study was clay loam. Application rates of chemical fertilizer were 480-150- 260 kg/ha (N-P2O5-K2O) as recommended amount after soil test. Biochar application was 0.2% to soil weight. The soil samples were periodically taken at every 15-day interval during corn cultivation periods. The treatments were consisted of cow compost (CC), pig compost (PC), swine digestate from aerobic digestion system (AD), and their biochar cooperation. TC contents in treatments cooperated with biochar at harvesting stages were ranged from 0.96% to 1.24%, and its CC applied plot was highest at 1.24%. It was observed that TC contents with biochar treatments were higher than the compost treatment only. Therefore, it was observed to be carbon sequestration into corn field cooperated with biochar. For nitrogen transformation in soil cooperated with organic composts and biochar, net mineralization rates were dramatically decreased at 44 days after sowing, but nitrification rates were abruptly increased at 73 days after sowing. For N mineralization and nitrification rates, it was shown that they were generally low in the soil cooperated with biochar as compared to the only application plots of different organic composts. Also, it was observed to be highest in the application plot of pig compost manure. Conclusion: Overall, application of biochar in the cropland could be an important role for mitigation of greenhouse gas as well as carbon sequestration.

Carbon Sequestration in Soil Cooperated with Organic Composts and Bio-Char during Corn (Zea mays) Cultivation

Background: The objective of this study was to estimate the carbon sequestration in soils cooperated with organic composts and bio-char during corn cultivation. Methods and Results: For the experiment, the soil texture used in this study was clay loam, and application rates of chemical fertilizer and bio-char were 230-107-190 kg·ha-1 (N-P2O5-K2O) as recommended amount after soil test and 0.2% to soil weight. The soil samples were periodically taken at every 15-day intervals during the experimental periods. The treatments consisted of cow compost, pig compost, swine digestate from aerobic digestion system, and their bio-char cooperation. For estimating soil C sequestration, it is determined by the net balance between carbon inputs and outputs during corn cultivation periods. For the experimental results, it found that applications of aerobic swine digestate, cow compost, and pig compost could sequester C by 38.9%, 82.2% and 19.7% in soil, respectively, when bio-char from rice hulls was cooperated with soil. For plant responses, application of bio-char in the corn field for carbon sequestration was not occurred the damage of corn growth. Conclusion: When bio-char from rice hulls was cooperated with soil, applications of aerobic swine digestate, cow compost, and pig compost could sequester C by 38.9%, 82.2% and 19.7% in soil, respectively. Therefore, addition of bio-char with organic composts could have a potential soil C sequestration in agricultural practices.