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Biochar for Sand-Based Root-Zone Modification. NICK CHRISTIANS SHANE BROKHOFF IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY. BIOCHAR AND TURF. Sand-based turfgrass root-zone United States Golf Association (USGA). BIOCHAR AND TURF turf. Sand-based turfgrass root-zone United States Golf Association (USGA).
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Biochar for Sand-Based Root-Zone Modification NICK CHRISTIANS SHANE BROKHOFF IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
BIOCHAR AND TURF Sand-based turfgrass root-zone United States Golf Association (USGA)
BIOCHAR AND TURFturf • Sand-based turfgrass root-zone • United States Golf Association (USGA)
Why biochar and turf… sand:peat moss 90:10 or 80:20 Root-zone mix Intermediate layer Coarse gravel Drainage tile (USGA, 1993)
OBJECTIVES Sand and biochar root-zone mix: soil water retention properties saturated hydraulic conductivity rooting depth of creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) chemical properties
BIOCHAR • switchgrass (Panicumvirgatum • FAST PYROLYSIS • Center for Sustainable Environmental Technologies (CSET) at Iowa State University
Treatments • Six volume-to-volume mixtures of biochar and sand
Ksat of Six Biochar and Sand Treatment Mixtures (n=4)
Chemical properties • Leachate • Electroconductivity (EC) • pH • Total organic carbon (TOC) • Nutrient analyses • Soil • Nutrient analyses
LEACHATE pHpH 0 5 10 15 20 25 Biochar percentage (v/v)
LEACHATE P 0 5 10 15 20 25 Biochar percentage (v/v)
Soil K LEACHATE K 0 5 10 15 20 25 Biochar percentage (v/v)
Conclusions • Biochar increases soil water retention • Biochar decreases saturated hydraulic conductivity • Biochar decreases rooting depth of creeping bentgrass in media containing more than 10% (v/v) biochar • Biochar increases leachate EC, TOC; provides essential nutrients