Jihong Liu Clarke

Seniorforsker/Kinakoordinator

(+47) 404 50 609
jihong.liu-clarke@nibio.no

Sted
Ås - Bygg H7

Besøksadresse
Høgskoleveien 7, 1433 Ås

Sammendrag

Earthworms enhance compost mineralization, improving its fertilizer value and soil quality (biological activity, structure). However, they often increase greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly nitrous oxide (N₂O), via nitrogen mineralization. Combining biochar with compost may mitigate these emissions while further boosting soil benefits alongside earthworm activity. We present preliminary results from a soil incubation (2 months) experiment testing this synergy. Using a Norwegian loam Cambisol, a 2x2x2 factorial design (four replicates) assessed the presence/absence of earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris - 10 adults/jar), compost (manure/food waste - 60 Mg ha⁻¹ equivalent), and rice-straw biochar (700°C pyrolyzed - 20 Mg ha⁻¹ equivalent). We hypothesized that earthworm and compost addition may present synergistic effects in improving N mineralization with consequent enhanced GHG emissions. We expect that biochar may counteract these emissions and potentially present positive effects for soil quality. The goal was to develop a biochar-compost-earthworm system creating a fertilizer with higher nutrient availability and lower GHG emissions. In the first week of the incubation, we found that higher CO2 and N2O productions were associated with the presence of compost. Earthworms could further enhance the carbon decomposition but appeared to mitigate CH4 production. Further analysis will be carried out with a focus on GHG emissions (CO₂, CH₄, N₂O) and nitrogen mineralization dynamics.

Schematic illustration-SinoGrain III 050523

Divisjon for miljø og naturressurser

Sinograin III: Smart agricultural technology and waste-made biochar for food security, reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission, and bio-and circular economy


The Sinograin III project’s overall objective is to contribute to the UN SDGs by widely implementing precision agriculture technologies and application of “waste-to-value” biochar products to achieve sustainable food production with minimized GHG emission, improve soil fertility and promote green growth/zero waste in modern agriculture in China.

Aktiv Sist oppdatert: 24.09.2024
Slutt: okt 2027
Start: sep 2023