impacts of biochar additions on agronomic yields kurt spokas usda-ars, soil and water management...
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Impacts of Biochar Additions on Agronomic Yields
Kurt Spokas
USDA-ARS, Soil and Water Management Unit, St. Paul, MNAdjunct Professor University of Minnesota – Department of Soil, Water and Climate
Illinois Biochar Group MeetingIllinois Biochar Group MeetingISTCISTC
June 9, 2011June 9, 2011
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Biochar: Soil Application
• The assumed target for biochar has been soil application
• Focus has been on “creating” Terra Preta soils
Observations of increased soil fertility and productivity. Postulated from ‘slash and burn’ historic charcoal additions
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However, on the other side:
• Wood distillation plants [1800-1950’s]• Wood pyrolysis – source of chemicals and energy prior to petroleum (fossil fuel)
• Multiple large plants existed (10 cords [14 tons] per day)
• Some plants on US-EPA Superfund site list
• Other charcoal sites• Not always productive
• Reduced seed germination• Reduced plant growth
Biochar: Soil Application
(BEGLINGER AND LOCKE, 1957)
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Applications date back to the beginning of modern science [1800’s]:
Soil Application… Long History
(LeFroy, 1883)
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Does biochar improve agronomic yields?
Biochar Soil Application
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Recent compilation of historical and recent biochar (black carbon) applications:
Biochar Soil Application
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Further Observations from Existing Studies
Wood Feedstock –
Majority of observed positive yield improvements have used wood feedstock with traditional soil kiln/fire pit methods (not pyrolysis units)
Other feedstocks:
negative to no impact…
Exception: Poultry manure (higher N-content)
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Significant Hurdles
1. Lack of adequate documentation of biochar properties and conditions in existing studies
2. Existing feeling that biochar = biochar
3. Once produced – Biochar is reactive
• Surface chemistry is not only a function of production and feedstock, but also of post-production conditions and storage (i.e. cooling method, activation)
• Biochars with equivalent production conditions still can be chemically and structurally different
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Sorbed Organics on Oak Biochar
Slow pyrolysis
Slow pyrolysis
Fast pyrolysis
Gasifier pyrolysis
Soil kiln mound (traditional)
Equivalent production conditions
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Active Biochar ResearchMN Corn Growers Association
> Examining the potential use of microwave assisted pyrolysis in the conversion of distillers grain into value added products (energy, bio-oil and biochar)
MN Dept. of Agriculture (Specialty Crop Block Grant)
> Impacts of biochar on specialty crop production
- Soil and yield impacts
- Potential bioaccumulation of other organic compounds on biochar
USDA-ARS
> Rosemount, MN Field Plots – 8 different biochars & biomass
> Laboratory assessments of GHG and VOC impacts
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Conclusions Despite the long research history –
No absolute “biochar” consistent trends Highly variable material
– Production & post-production handling
Different responses to biochar Function of soil ecosystem (microbial linkage) & position on black carbon continuum
Importance of fully documenting methods of creation, handling, and properties – Allow future elucidation of factors
Several inter-related mechanisms
Biochar does act as a carbon sequestration agent As long as biochar has low oxygen to carbon (O:C) molar ratio
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Looking Forward• Economics caused the shift from biomass to fossil fuels in the early
1920’s:
We at the cusp where environmental stewardship is returning the pendulum back to biomass as the source for human’s energy, chemical and agronomic needs
Research is needed to optimize both:
1. Advanced pyrolysis system development for combined energy, chemical, and biochar production
2. Subsequent utilization of biochar in a sustainable and environmentally responsible manner [not limited solely to soil application]
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AcknowledgementsI would like to acknowledge the cooperation:National Council for Air and Stream Improvement (NCASI) Universität Bonn (Germany)IRNASE-CSIC (Spain)Università di Bologna (Italy)Penn State; University of MinnesotaIllinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) [Univ. of Illinois]US-EPA and other USDA-ARS locations
Dynamotive Energy SystemsNC Farm Center for Innovation and SustainabilityBest EnergiesNorthern TilthMinnesota Biomass ExchangeBiochar Brokers Chip EnergyAECOMAvello BioenergyICM, Inc.Freedom Field Energy
Partial Funding: • Minnesota Corn Growers Association/Minnesota Corn Research Production Council• Minnesota Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant Program
Technical Support : Martin duSaire Students: Tia Phan, Lindsey Watson, Lianne Endo, Kia Yang, Eric Nooker, Ed Colosky and Amanda Bidwell
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USDA-ARS Biochar and Pyrolysis Initiative
GRACEnet Project (30 locations): Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Carbon Enhancement Network
REAP Project (24 locations): Renewable Energy Assessment Project
Biochar and Pyrolysis Initiative (15 locations)
Ongoing field plot trial (6 locations)
Multi-location USDA-ARS research efforts: