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Soil carbon footprint, budgeting, and dynamics in a biomass conversion–based long-term organic production system

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Abstract

Application of biomass-derived low-cost biochar alter cropland soil’s ability to store organic carbon dynamics. At the ICAR-Sikkim Centre in Gangtok, India, a 10-year field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different organic manures (5.0 to 10.0 t ha−1) and maize biomass-derived low-cost biochar (pyrolysis temperature 600 °C) applications on soil carbon dynamics. The biochar was characterized by TEM, SEM, TGA, EDS, XRD, and FT-IR for morpho-mineralogical data. Different organic manures and maize biomass–derived biochar considerably enhanced soil carbon dynamics and pools. Low-cost biochar application at 2.5 t ha−1 significantly increased the very labile carbon followed by a decrease at 5 t ha−1. Manure with biochar delivered a huge impact on the active carbon pool as compared with manure without biochar. Biochar 5 t ha−1 + vermicompost 5 t ha−1 (23.41) augmented the passive carbon pool more than control (8.90) significantly. Besides, augmenting biochar addition rate in soil significantly reduced the lability index having a higher value with 2.5 t ha−1 than 5 t ha−1. Also, vermicompost 5 t ha−1 + biochar 5 t ha−1 (2.31) increased the carbon pool index significantly than the control. Interestingly, augmenting the low-cost biochar addition rate significantly enhanced the carbon management index. With the increase in days of incubation, the cumulative carbon mineralization of different biochars increased. Among the biochars, the highest % C mineralization of the initial TOC was found in black gram biochar. Data showed that the addition rate and type of biochar caused a considerable change in the decay constant. The mineralization quotient was more at a lower rate than the higher rate of biochar application. Our research conclusively established that in order to improve SOC dynamics and pools in the maize-black gram system in India’s northeastern regions, low-cost biochar technology is advised.

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Acknowledgements

The author is very thankful to ICAR RC for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, for providing the necessary research facilities.

Funding

The author received funds from the “National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA).”

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  1. ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Sikkim Centre, Tadong, Gangtok, Sikkim, 737102, India

    Shaon Kumar Das

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Shaon Kumar Das: comprehensive research work, data analysis and interpretation, writing of the article, and final interpretation.

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Das, S.K. Soil carbon footprint, budgeting, and dynamics in a biomass conversion–based long-term organic production system. Biomass Conv. Bioref. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-023-04646-3

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