117-55 Effect of Fast Pyrolysis Biochar On Selected Phyical Properties of Two Iowa Soils.



Monday, October 17, 2011
Henry Gonzalez Convention Center, Hall C, Street Level

Devinder Sidhu, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Biochar, a carbon rich product produced by anaerobic heating of carbonaceous material (process known as pyrolysis) has received much attention as a promising solution not only for better management of soil physical, chemical and biological properties favorable to agricultural production and environmental quality, but also as a tool for long term C sequestration and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Research suggests improvement in crop yields and beneficial soil properties, decrease in nutrient losses from soil and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Research involving biochar in soils is still at an early stage, and more work is required to investigate biochar effects on a wider range of soils under different climatic and management conditions. We are using two biochars – Switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum,L.) and Corn Stover (Zea Mays,L.), (Fast Pyrolysis Biochars, 5000C) to study the effects of biochar type and application rates on soil water retention, saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) of soil and soil thermal properties ( Volumetric heat capacity, thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity) under laboratory conditions. Two Iowa soils of different textures will be used to do a comparative study of biochar effects in different soils. The outcomes of this analysis will complement the ongoing work to study biochar effects on soil properties.
See more from this Division: S01 Soil Physics
See more from this Session: General Soil Physics: II (Includes Graduate Student Competition)