Biochar-Poultry Manure Compost Alters Temperature and Nitrogen Dynamics during Composting and Improves Potato Growth Following Field Application

Composting is an aerobic process that transforms organic wastes into valuable agricultural product, but the composting process frequently results in losses of nitrogen (N) through NH3 volatilization. We evaluated the potential for high-temperature, wood-based biochar to reduce N loss when included as a compost feedstock. Biochar was composted with wood shavings and poultry manure (4:1 v/v) at rates of 0, 20 and 40% (v/v) in replicated, actively aerated 1.43 m3 in-vessel compost piles. Biochar addition caused more rapid temperature increase and truncated thermophilic phase. N loss from the entire compost mass was reduced with 40% and 20% biochar addition compared to the control (29.9, 32.3, and 35.6% N loss, respectively; P value = 0.027). However, assuming no N was lost from the added biochar, difference in N loss was less significant (P value = 0.100). With 40% biochar addition, finished compost had greater NO3--N concentration, lower electrical conductivity, greater carbon to nitrogen ratio, and greater total carbon content. Compost products were amended to soil at rates of 7 or 15 Mg C ha−1 in potato production. Relative to an unamended control, the high application rates tended to decrease bulk density and increase total N in soil, but no differences were detected between the compost or composted biochar treatments. Tuber weights were increased 40% with application of composted biochar (biochar 40% v/v). Biochar is a promising bulking agent for composting which may reduce N loss and increase nitrification. Future studies should examine how specific biochar products affect the compost process, nutrient retention, and crop production.