Plant Soil Environ., 2025, 71(8):581-594 | DOI: 10.17221/268/2025-PSE

Combined application of biochar and phosphorus influenced maize production and soil properties in the Yellow River Delta: a comparison between contrasting weather conditionsOriginal Paper

Xiaoqi Tang1, Chunming Jiang1, Hongjie Li1, Jing Tian1, Dawei Li1, Xuan Zhang1, Xiuli Ge1, Xia Liu2, Wenjun Gao3, Guoli Liu4, Wenjuan Li5
1 College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, P.R. China
2 Maize Research Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, P.R. China
3 Jundi Tree Planting Specialistic Cooperative of Wudi, Binzhou, P.R. China
4 Agricultural Comprehensive Service Center of Xiaobotou Town, Wudi County, Binzhou, P.R. China
5 Wudi Yuanxing Engineering Construction Supervision Company Limited, Binzhou, P.R. China

The Yellow River Delta, an important area of reserved arable land resources in China, is faced with the problem of crop productivity being typically limited by low soil quality. Developing techniques that raised crop yield without environmental damage was critically needed. To date, the knowledge about the joint impacts of biochar (C) and phosphorus (P) addition on soil properties and maize production under different weather conditions in this area is seriously lacking. Consequently, a full factorial field experiment including three biochar intensities (0 (C0), 5 000 (C1), and 10 000 (C2) kg/ha), three phosphorus fertilisation levels (0 (P0), 60 (P1), and 120 (P2) kg P/ha), and their combinations was conducted in Binzhou, Shandong province of China from 2021 to 2022. Compared to 2022, the maize yield was dramatically reduced in 2021 (with a 35% mean decrease) due to excessive rainfall in the maize reproductive growth stage (P < 0.01). C addition caused greater proportions and contributions of dry matter and nutrient remobilisation from pre-anthesis vegetation organs to grain. Subsequently, maize yield was much more promoted in 2021 (23%) than in 2022 (5%) by adding C, in which the discrepancies between C1 and C2 were relatively small and insignificant. On the other hand, these corresponding effects of P and C × P were relatively modest. From the soil perspective, soil physical (hydraulic conductivity (Ks) and bulk density) and chemical properties (soil organic carbon, total N, and soil available N) were significantly improved by C addition (P < 0.01). More importantly, we detected negative interactions of C × P on soil available P and phosphorus activation coefficient (P < 0.01), as soil available P was lowered with more input of C and P together (particularly under P2 series). The two-year outcomes suggested that C addition could enhance maize growth and ensure crop yield stability. Still, the combined incorporation of this kind of C and P (especially for C2P2) was not recommended in the saline-alkali land. The present study delivered useful insight into the rational utilisation of C and P fertilisers in the Yellow River Delta.

Keywords: bio-waste; soil fertility; unfavourable weather conditions; multiple seasons; fertiliser management

Received: June 17, 2025; Revised: July 31, 2025; Accepted: August 6, 2025; Prepublished online: August 27, 2025; Published: August 28, 2025  Show citation

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Tang X, Jiang C, Li H, Tian J, Li D, Zhang X, et al.. Combined application of biochar and phosphorus influenced maize production and soil properties in the Yellow River Delta: a comparison between contrasting weather conditions. Plant Soil Environ. 2025;71(8):581-594. doi: 10.17221/268/2025-PSE.
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