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Biochar as a global change adaptation: predicting biochar impacts on crop productivity and soil quality for a tropical soil with the Environmental Policy Integrated Climate (EPIC) model

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Abstract

The Environmental Policy Integrated Climate (EPIC) model with newly-developed biochar algorithms was used to determine the impacts of biochar amendments on corn (Zea mays L.) yields, soil cation exchange capacity (CEC), pH, bulk density (Db) and soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics. The objectives were (1) to determine biochar impacts on crop yields and soil properties of a tropical soil and (2) to evaluate biochar’s potential as a climate change adaptation tool. EPIC was validated using results of a 4−yr experiment performed on an Amazonian Oxisol amended with biochar at rates of 0, 8, and 20 Mg ha−1. Simulated yields of corn on biochar amended soil were significantly greater than control yields (p < 0.05). Simulated soil pH increased from original 3.9 to 4.19, CEC increased from 9.76 to 11.5 cmolc kg−1, and SOC also increased. After validation, EPIC was used to simulate the impacts of the same biochar rates applied at 4 year intervals on corn yields and soil properties over the next 20 years. Soil CEC increased from 11.1 cmolc kg−1 to 20.2 cmolc kg−1 for the highest biochar application rate. Soil pH increased from 3.9 to 5.64. SOC increased up to 2.59 % for the highest biochar application rate with decreased topsoil Db from 1.11 Mg m−3 to 0.97 Mg m−3. Long-term corn yields were slightly decreased. Although the results are biochar-, dose-, and soil-specific, biochar additions to tropical soils hold promise as a climate change adaptation tool resulting in increased soil carbon sequestration and improved soil properties.

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Acknowledgments

The project was supported by the DOE Office of Science under the Carbon Sequestration in Terrestrial Ecosystems (CSiTE), the Terrestrial Ecosystem Sciences Program, the Regional Climate Modeling Program and by the Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park. The senior author gratefully acknowledges the financial support from the Fulbright Commission. The authors are grateful to anonymous reviewers for their critical and constructive reviews. Authors also thankfully acknowledge James Amonette and Allison Thomson (PNNL) for internal review of the manuscript and the following colleagues for technical assistance: Ritvik Sahajpal (University of Maryland), David Manowitz (PNNL), Prasad Bandaru (PNNL) and Xuesong Zhang (PNNL).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Joint Global Change Research Institute (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory) and Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland, 1204 HJ Patterson Hall, College Park, MD, 20740, USA

    Taras E. Lychuk

  2. Joint Global Change Research Institute (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and University of Maryland), 5825 University Research Court, Suite 1200, College Park, MD, 20740-3825, USA

    Roberto C. Izaurralde

  3. Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland, 1109 H.J. Patterson Hall, College Park, MD, 20740-2496, USA

    Robert L. Hill

  4. Ecosystem Science & Management Program, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9, Canada

    William B. McGill

  5. Blackland Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center, 720 East Blackland Road, Temple, TX, 76502, USA

    Jimmy R. Williams

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  1. Taras E. Lychuk
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  2. Roberto C. Izaurralde
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Correspondence to Taras E. Lychuk.

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Lychuk, T.E., Izaurralde, R.C., Hill, R.L. et al. Biochar as a global change adaptation: predicting biochar impacts on crop productivity and soil quality for a tropical soil with the Environmental Policy Integrated Climate (EPIC) model. Mitig Adapt Strateg Glob Change 20, 1437–1458 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11027-014-9554-7

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