Combined Effect of Freeze–Thaw Cycles and Biochar Addition on Soil Nitrogen Leaching Characteristics in Seasonally Frozen Farmland in Northeast China

Lihong Wang; Tianxiao Li; Hui Liu; Zuowei Zhang; Aizheng Yang; Hongyu Li

doi:10.3390/agronomy14010153

Agronomy (Jan 2024)

Combined Effect of Freeze–Thaw Cycles and Biochar Addition on Soil Nitrogen Leaching Characteristics in Seasonally Frozen Farmland in Northeast China

Lihong Wang,
Tianxiao Li,
Hui Liu,
Zuowei Zhang,
Aizheng Yang,
Hongyu Li

Affiliations

Lihong Wang: Key Laboratory of Efficient Use of Agricultural Water Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
Tianxiao Li: Key Laboratory of Efficient Use of Agricultural Water Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
Hui Liu: College of Arts and Sciences, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
Zuowei Zhang: Key Laboratory of Efficient Use of Agricultural Water Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
Aizheng Yang: Key Laboratory of Efficient Use of Agricultural Water Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
Hongyu Li: College of Agriculture, Heilongjiang Agricultural Engineering Vocational College, Harbin 150025, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14010153
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 14, no. 1
p. 153

Abstract

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Global climate warming and increased climate variability may increase the number of annual freeze–thaw cycles (FTCs) in temperate zones. The occurrence of more frequent FTCs is predicted to influence soil carbon and nitrogen cycles and increase nitrogen leaching. Biochar has the potential to increase soil organic carbon storage and decrease nitrogen leaching. This study aims to investigate the impact of freeze–thaw cycles (FTCs) on soil nitrogen leaching in temperate zones, considering the potential exacerbation of FTCs due to global climate warming and increased climate variability. This study focuses on how biochar, a carbon-rich material produced from biomass, might mitigate nitrogen leaching by influencing soil characteristics. This study explores the interactions between different laboratory-simulated FTC frequencies (ranging from 0 to 12 cycles) and various biochar addition ratios (0%, 2%, 4%, and 6% w/w) on soil nitrogen leaching based on a total of 60 soil columns. Pearson correlations between the soil quality indicators and nitrogen leaching characteristics were detected, and partial least squares path modeling (PLS-PM) was used to assess the effects of the FTCs, biochar addition ratios, and soil quality indicators on the nitrogen leaching content. The results showed that the amount of leached soil NH4+-N and NO3−-N reached 0.129–1.726 mg and 2.90–7.90 mg, respectively. NH4+-N and NO3−-N first increased and then decreased under the FTCs, with the highest values being observed after the 6th FTC. As the biochar addition ratio increased, the NH4+-N and NO3−-N contents decreased. Correlation analysis showed that the nitrogen leaching content was significantly related to the soil pH, soil organic matter (SOM), NH4+-N content, and microbial biomass carbon content (MBC) (p < 0.01). The results of the conceptual path model revealed that nitrogen leaching characteristics were significantly affected by the pH, SOM, soil nitrogen content, and biochar addition ratio. Our results suggest that biochar addition can help reduce nitrogen leaching in farmland soil in areas with black soil and seasonal freeze–thaw cycles.

Published in Agronomy

ISSN: 2073-4395 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Agriculture
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/agronomy

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