biochar and low organic matter soils
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Biochar and Low Organic Matter Soils. Duane Friend Extension Educator. Acknowledgements. Funding for the study was through the Illinois Department of Agriculture Sustainable Ag Grant program Additional assistance has been provided by the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
BIOCHAR AND LOW ORGANIC MATTER
SOILSDuane Friend
Extension Educator
Acknowledgements
Funding for the study was through the Illinois Department of Agriculture Sustainable Ag Grant program
Additional assistance has been provided by the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center
Field Study Details
Plots at 3 field sites with low inherent soil organic matter
Three replications of 0, 10 and 20 tons/acre (0, 24.7 tons/Ha, 49.4 tons/Ha) of biochar applied in 10 foot by 10 foot (305 by 305 cm) plots at each site
Each site planted to field corn, with normal agronomic operations
Examined soil changes, yield
McCully Heritage (Calhoun County)
Site had been in alfalfa
Was plowed, with biochar then applied and tilled in
Site was hand seeded with Roundup Ready corn
Central Illinois Irrigated Growers plot (Mason County)
Plot previously in field corn
Plot irrigated
Planted with Roundup Ready corn by farm operator
Site M (Jim Edgar Conservation Area- Cass County)
Plot previously in soybeans
Plot part of strip till field
Planted to non Roundup Ready corn, by farm operator
Organic Matter July 2012
Mason Cass Calhoun0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
Control10 tons/Ac20 tons/Ac
CEC values July 2012
Mason Cass Calhoun0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
Control10 tons/Ac20 tons/Ac
Control 10 tons/Ac 20 tons/ac0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Calhoun County Plots (Bushels/Ac)Harvested 9.13.12
Mason County Plots (Bushels/Ac)Harvested 9.11.12
Control 10 tons/Ac 20 tons/Ac0
5
10
15
20
25
Cass County Plots (Bushels/Ac)Harvested 9.6.12
Control 10 tons/Ac 20 tons/Ac0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Organic Matter October 2012
Mason Cass Calhoun0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
Control10 tons/Ac20 tons/Ac
CEC Values October 2012
Mason Cass Calhoun0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
Control10 tons/Ac20 tons/Ac
Organic Matter May 2013
Mason Cass Calhoun0
1
2
3
4
5
6
Control10 tons/Ac20 tons/Ac
CEC Values May 2013
Calhoun Cass Mason0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
Control10 tons/Ac20 tons/Ac
Soil pH values May 2013
Calhoun Cass Mason5.5
5.7
5.9
6.1
6.3
6.5
6.7
6.9
7.1
7.3
7.5
Control10 tons/Ac20 tons/Ac
2013
Will continue to monitor plots in 2013
Will take additional soil samples and do yield checks