The growth of horticultural species is closely related to the availability of nitrogen (N), whose physiological role is of great importance. Considering both the demand for nitrogen for agricultural yield and the easy leaching of nitrogen compounds, the amount of this soil nutrient is carefully assessed for implementing suitable fertilization programs. Excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers causes nitrate pollution with quality loss of drinking water aquifers and eutrophication phenomena. In recent years, the slow release of nitrate by the application of carbon-rich amendment (i.e. biochar) has been suggested as a potential strategy for increasing the bioavailability of nitrogen nutrients and reducing nitrate leaching. Biochar is a promising sustainable tool to improve the yield of horticultural crops and reduce the use of mineral fertilizers in agroecosystems. The incorporation of biochar along with controlled doses of nitrogen mineral fertilizers could have a potential for mitigation of leached nitrates in surface water bodies and groundwater. The aim of this work is to assess the effect of different levels of N in soil with and without amendment of virgin wood biochar on crop yield, quality, and release of nitrates into the soil. The main objective is the characterization of plant materials of Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis, in different doses of nitrogen and treatments with biochar, by analysis of Fourier Transform Infrared spectra. In this study, cauliflower was grown in mesocosms using two types of fertilization regimes: (1) dose of conventional inorganic fertilizer with and without biochar, (2) dose of high inorganic fertilizer with and without biochar. Soil biological and physicochemical properties and, the quantification of nitrogenous compounds in the percolation water, are studied in samples collected 10 days after each fertilization and at the end of the experiment (complete ripening of the corymb). Biomass samples are characterized by ATRFTIR spectroscopy. The experimental approach tested in this work intends to evaluate the biochar capabilities in preventing the loss of nitrates in horticultural systems, reducing the demand for nitrogen fertilizers, and improving agricultural yield.
Green Strategies for Sustainable Horticulture: Application of Biochar for Nitrate Reduction in Surface Water and Groundwater
D Losacco;C Campanale;C Massarelli;VF Uricchio;V Ancona
2021
Abstract
The growth of horticultural species is closely related to the availability of nitrogen (N), whose physiological role is of great importance. Considering both the demand for nitrogen for agricultural yield and the easy leaching of nitrogen compounds, the amount of this soil nutrient is carefully assessed for implementing suitable fertilization programs. Excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers causes nitrate pollution with quality loss of drinking water aquifers and eutrophication phenomena. In recent years, the slow release of nitrate by the application of carbon-rich amendment (i.e. biochar) has been suggested as a potential strategy for increasing the bioavailability of nitrogen nutrients and reducing nitrate leaching. Biochar is a promising sustainable tool to improve the yield of horticultural crops and reduce the use of mineral fertilizers in agroecosystems. The incorporation of biochar along with controlled doses of nitrogen mineral fertilizers could have a potential for mitigation of leached nitrates in surface water bodies and groundwater. The aim of this work is to assess the effect of different levels of N in soil with and without amendment of virgin wood biochar on crop yield, quality, and release of nitrates into the soil. The main objective is the characterization of plant materials of Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis, in different doses of nitrogen and treatments with biochar, by analysis of Fourier Transform Infrared spectra. In this study, cauliflower was grown in mesocosms using two types of fertilization regimes: (1) dose of conventional inorganic fertilizer with and without biochar, (2) dose of high inorganic fertilizer with and without biochar. Soil biological and physicochemical properties and, the quantification of nitrogenous compounds in the percolation water, are studied in samples collected 10 days after each fertilization and at the end of the experiment (complete ripening of the corymb). Biomass samples are characterized by ATRFTIR spectroscopy. The experimental approach tested in this work intends to evaluate the biochar capabilities in preventing the loss of nitrates in horticultural systems, reducing the demand for nitrogen fertilizers, and improving agricultural yield.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
