Effects of two wood-based biochars on the fate of added fertilizer nitrogen—a 15N tracing study

Abstract A 15 N tracing pot experiment was conducted using two types of wood-based biochars: a regular biochar and Kon-Tiki-produced nutrient-enriched biochar, at application rates (1% 5% (w/w)), in addition to fertilizer only control treatment. Ryegrass sown pots, all which except controls received N-labelled as either NH 4 NO 3 or . We quantified the effect on soil 2 O emissions, well fate fertilizer-derived ammonium (NH + ) nitrate (NO − terms their leaching from soil, uptake into plant biomass, recovery soil. found that biochars reduced mineral emissions. Similarly, higher rate significantly increased aboveground ryegrass biomass yield. However, no differences emissions yields were observed between treatments, although tended be lower treatment than The analysis revealed added nitrate, but compared Thus, total derived not affected by addition, cannot explain increase treatments. Instead, attributed enhanced This suggests interactions native organic may important determinants availability growth.