ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT THROUGH CORNSTOVER UTILIZATION

Research Project: ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT THROUGH CORNSTOVER UTILIZATION
Location: Morris, Minnesota
Project Team REICOSKY, DONALD
USDA/ARS

Project Number: 3645-11000-003-02
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Mar 30, 2006
End Date: Mar 29, 2009

Objective:
Evaluate the recycling of soil char and bio oil carbon as a byproduct of pyrolysis and determine the effect of the N enriched char byproduct on soil microbial activity measured through CO2 evolution and plant response.

Approach:
Char will be characterized for relevant agronomic properties, and changes in soil chemistry, nutrient levels, C dynamics, and microbial activity documented in soils incubated with various char rates and materials. Greenhouse pot studies will be performed to characterize tillage-induced CO2 loss and plant response. Field studies with buried pots will be used to determine changes in soil chemistry and microbial activity as measured by CO2 evolution.