Biochar as substitute for organic matter in the composition of substrates for seedlings.

In this study, we tested the hypothesis that pyrogenic carbon (biochar) has properties that enable it to replace fresh organic matter (cattle manure) in seedling substrates. These properties include specific electrophysiological interactions in soil-plant media, stability and longevity. The experiment was conducted in the nursery at the State University of Mato Grosso, located in the municipality of Nova Xavantina, between April and June 2011. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks with ten treatments and four replicates, including a commercial substrate. Linear regression analysis showed a strong positive relationship between manure treatments and number of leaves, fresh and dry biomass, diameter, height and Dickson Quality Index at 30 and 40 days after sowing (DAS), with the exception of height at 30 DAS. There was no significant relationship for biochar dosage in any assessment for these parameters. The use of substrates with different dosages of cattle manure resulted in an increase of seedling quality compared to biochar and commercial substrates. The hypothesis that biochar can be substituted for fresh organic matter and is more stable in the substrate was not supported

INTERACTIONS OF BIOCHAR AND ORGANIC COMPOUND FOR SEEDLINGS PRODUCTION OF Magonia pubescens A. St.-Hil.

ABSTRACTThe objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that biochar, applied with cattle manure, promotes better development of seedlings of Magonia pubescens St. Hil. The experiment was conducted at the State University of Mato Grosso, Nova Xavantina, Brazil, in 2011. We used a completely randomized design, with twelve treatments and three replications. The substrates formed by the higher levels of cattle manure plus biochar (30%) provided better results of height, diameter and aerial biomass. However, the Dickson Quality Index has not confirmed the quality of seedlings in these treatments. We also observed that the doses of biochar (20 and 30%) when added separately to the Latosol, are not efficient for the growth improvement of the seedlings. Based on the present results, we validate the hypothesis that substrates formed with a mixture of cattle manure and biochar are effective to improve the production of seedlings of M. pubescens

Biochar adicionado em Latossolo Vermelho beneficia o desenvolvimento de mudas de beterraba?

The objective of this study was to verify the effect of biochar (granulated charcoal) added to an oxisol on the sugar beet seedlings production. The experiment was conducted in the seedlings nursery at the Mato Grosso State University, located at Nova Xavantina municipality, MT, Brazil, during the 2011 crop year. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design with five treatments and four repetitions. Different doses of biochar were applied to an oxisol in order to evaluate the seedlings growth and quality, studing the differences between doses of biochar through linear regression. The biochar addition to the oxisol did not promoted growth or quality increase on sugar beet seedlings. All the evaluated treatments presented poor seedlings development and quality, below the optimal level. The addition of low-chemical quality biochar in low fertility soils and with no fertilization is not recommended for sugar beet production during the short seedling production cycle.O objetivo deste trabalho consistiu em verificar o efeito do biochar (carvão vegetal) adicionado em Latossolo Vermelho na produção de mudas de beterraba. O experimento foi realizado no viveiro da Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso, município de Nova Xavantina, em 2011. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições. Foram utilizadas diferentes doses de biochar com Latossolo Vermelho avaliando-se o crescimento e a qualidade das mudas, verificando-se as diferenças entre as doses de biochar através do teste de regressão linear. A adição de biochar ao Latossolo Vermelho não promoveu acréscimo de crescimento ou qualidade das mudas de beterraba. Todos os tratamentos avaliados apresentaram desenvolvimento e qualidade das mudas abaixo do ideal. A adição de biochar de baixa qualidade química em solos de baixa fertilidade e sem adubação não é recomendada para a produção de beterraba durante o ciclo curto de produção de mudas