Title:
Co-Composted Biochar and Compost on Multi-Grass Meadow: an Evaluation of the Effects on Plants Growth and Pedofauna Biodiversity
Author(s):
Santunione, G., Guidetti, R., Parenti, M., Ottani, F., Rebecchi, L., Sgarbi, E.
Document(s):
Paper
Poster
Abstract:
Compost is the product of the aerobic degradation of organic matter and it is used both as soil amendment and organic fertilizer, being free of pathogens and rich in nutrients. COMBI is the product obtained by adding biochar to the composting process. Biochar enhances microbiological degradation thanks to its unique properties in terms of porosity, cation exchange capacity, electrical conductivity and water retention potential beside acting as bulking agent. Furthermore, it represents one of the most promising carbon negative materials, especially when applied on lands. Recent studies highlighted how COMBI is able to multiply beneficial effects of its application on soil compared to standard compost. It also ameliorates both physical (density, porosity) and chemical soil properties, which have knock-on effects on plant growth and other living organisms (bacteria, fungi, arthropods). After their aerobic degradation into composting bin, COMBI and compost have been applied to multi-grass meadow plots on agricultural boundary-land plots, and data about plants growth and soil biota have been collected and analyzed. Soil quality have been assessed by several parameters: total plant biomass growth, plant biodiversity, and Dualex indices (chlorophyll concentration, leaf epidermal flavonoids, N balance index –NBI- and anthocyanins concentration). Furthermore, treatments effects were also evaluated using ecological soil quality indexes, in particular the QBS-ar index (based on the microarthopods present in the soil) and the ratio mites/springtails. Periodical evaluations of the indexes gave an idea of the effects of treatments on the soil animal community (pedofauna). The first survey on pedofauna carried out before the beginning of the experiment evidenced a high biodiversity with high values of QBSar index for all the experimental plots, demonstrating that the plots are uniform and comparable. A similar trend regards plant diversity: from harvesting sites did not emerge differences in species distribution. Plants are predominantly Cosmopolitan and Euro-Asian species, being this in line with other floristic studies conducted in the Po Plain. First results on plants biomass production, collected after 60 days of experiment on treated harvesting sites, showed a significant increase of both fresh and dry weight compared to control ones (p-value <0.05). At the same time, chlorophylls and NBI values raised on certain species (Rumex crispus, Plantago lanceolata, Taraxacum officinale) grown on COMBI and Compost sites compared with control ones. These findings confirm the capability of COMBI and Compost to have some beneficial effects on soil; these preliminary data need to be verified by future analysis, also through a monitoring activity in the same plots over time.
Keywords:
biodiversity, composting, soil fertility, grass, biochar
Topic:
Sustainable Resources for Decarbonising the Economy
Subtopic:
Innovative biomass production for energy integrated into traditional agri-forestry systems
Event:
30th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
1AV.4.12
Pages:
141 - 146
ISBN:
978-88-89407-22-6
Paper DOI:
10.5071/30thEUBCE2022-1AV.4.12
Price:
FREE
