Abstract
Abstract Increasing use of herbicides has contributed immensely to current soil and water degradation in the tropics. Published works on effects of herbicides on soil organic carbon (SOC) – a major indicator for soil health and macronutrients and their enhancement by biochar are scarce for soils in Africa despite heavy herbicide applications every cropping season. This incubation trial evaluated immediate effects of atrazine application on SOC and selected soil macronutrients. The potential of sawdust (SD) biochar to mitigate associated SOC and macronutrients depletion was also assessed. A total of 950 g soil was placed in each leaching column (20 cm length and 7 cm diameter). The experiment was a factorial combination of four SD biochar types: SD + poultry manure (PM) pyrolyzed at 350 °C, SD-PM at 350 °C, SD + PM at 450 °C and SD-PM at 450 °C applied at two rates of 5 and 10 t/ha equivalent to 2.38 and 4.76 g/950 g soil, respectively. Atrazine alone and absolute control (AC) that received neither biochar nor atrazine were included for comparison. The treatments were replicated thrice in completely randomized design. Appropriate biochar was applied within 5 cm soil depth, moistened to field capacity, and left to equilibrate for 2 weeks. Thereafter, 20 mL atrazine solution was applied at 2.5 kg a.i/ha (achieved through 6.75 g atrazine powder/l of distilled water). Basal NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer mixed with urea at 0.1 and 0.03 g/900 g soil, respectively, was applied to mimic farmers’ practice on atrazine treated fields. Maize seeds were thereafter sown in the treated soils and nurtured for 2 weeks. Data taken on soil pH, SOC, exchangeable bases, available phosphorus, and dry biomass weight (DBW) of maize seedlings at the expiration of the trial were subjected to two-way analysis of variance using Genstat Statistical Package with means separated using LSD at 5% probability level. There were significant reductions in soil pH (5.8%), SOC (31%), and Ex. Ca (27%) in atrazine alone soil compared to AC. Contrarily, similar atrazine treated soil pretreated with SD biochar had increased soil pH, SOC, exchangeable Ca, available P, and DBW by 5.6 (in SD + PM@450 °C), 73.6 (SD-PM@450 °C), 84 (SD + PM@450 °C), 2,338.4 (SD + PM@450 °C), and 154.8% (SD + PM@350 °C), respectively, dominantly at 10 t/ha compared to AC. Sole atrazine treated soil was, however, higher in soil available P (23.8 mg/kg) and TDBW (0.56 g) against 5.42 mg/kg and 0.42 g from AC, respectively. Biochar pH and organic carbon were the most influential biochar properties contributing significantly to SOC sequestration and macronutrient enrichment in the atrazine treated soil. Pretreatment of soils with sawdust biochar prior to atrazine application is, therefore, recommended for mitigating associated organic carbon and macronutrient depletion in the soils for enhanced maize production.
Abstract from the paper’s OpenAlex record, shown for indexing and research. Copyright remains with the authors or the publisher. Read at the source ↗
The text the model read, with the source record’s inline markup (italics, sub- and superscripts) rendered and its character entities decoded; quote offsets refer to the raw text.
Claims 12
Claim · model-written summary
Atrazine alone significantly reduced soil pH by 5.8% compared with the absolute control.
- Treatment
- atrazine alonee2
- Outcome
- soil pHe2
- Direction
- reductionse2
- Value
- 5.8%e2
- Comparator
- ACe2
- Setting
- incubation triale1
Zea maysOrganisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Maize seeds were thereafter sown in the treated soils and nurtured for 2 weeks”
e1“This incubation trial evaluated immediate effects of atrazine application on SOC and selected soil macronutrients”
e2“There were significant reductions in soil pH (5.8%), SOC (31%), and Ex. Ca (27%) in atrazine alone soil compared to AC”
Claim · model-written summary
Atrazine alone significantly reduced soil organic carbon by 31% compared with the absolute control.
- Treatment
- atrazine alonee2
- Outcome
- SOCe2
- Direction
- reductionse2
- Value
- 31%e2
- Comparator
- ACe2
- Setting
- incubation triale1
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Maize seeds were thereafter sown in the treated soils and nurtured for 2 weeks”
e1“This incubation trial evaluated immediate effects of atrazine application on SOC and selected soil macronutrients”
e2“There were significant reductions in soil pH (5.8%), SOC (31%), and Ex. Ca (27%) in atrazine alone soil compared to AC”
Claim · model-written summary
Atrazine alone significantly reduced exchangeable Ca by 27% compared with the absolute control.
- Treatment
- atrazine alonee2
- Outcome
- Ex. Cae2
- Direction
- reductionse2
- Value
- 27%e2
- Comparator
- ACe2
- Setting
- incubation triale1
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Maize seeds were thereafter sown in the treated soils and nurtured for 2 weeks”
e1“This incubation trial evaluated immediate effects of atrazine application on SOC and selected soil macronutrients”
e2“There were significant reductions in soil pH (5.8%), SOC (31%), and Ex. Ca (27%) in atrazine alone soil compared to AC”
Claim · model-written summary
Sawdust biochar at 450 °C with poultry manure increased soil pH by 5.6 in atrazine-treated soil.
- Treatment
- SD + PM@450 °Ce3
- Outcome
- soil pHe3
- Direction
- increasede3
- Value
- 5.6e3
- Qualifier
- dominantly at 10 t/hae3
- Comparator
- ACe3
- Setting
- incubation triale1
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Maize seeds were thereafter sown in the treated soils and nurtured for 2 weeks”
e1“This incubation trial evaluated immediate effects of atrazine application on SOC and selected soil macronutrients”
e3“similar atrazine treated soil pretreated with SD biochar had increased soil pH, SOC, exchangeable Ca, available P, and DBW by 5.6 (in SD + PM@450 °C), 73.6 (SD-PM@450 °C), 84 (SD + PM@450 °C), 2,338.4 (SD + PM@450 °C), and 154.8% (SD + PM@350 °C), respectively, dominantly at 10 t/ha compared to AC”
Claim · model-written summary
Sawdust biochar with poultry manure at 450 °C increased soil organic carbon by 73.6% in atrazine-treated soil.
- Treatment
- SD-PM@450 °Ce3
- Outcome
- SOCe3
- Direction
- increasede3
- Value
- 73.6e3
- Qualifier
- dominantly at 10 t/hae3
- Comparator
- ACe3
- Setting
- incubation triale1
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Maize seeds were thereafter sown in the treated soils and nurtured for 2 weeks”
e1“This incubation trial evaluated immediate effects of atrazine application on SOC and selected soil macronutrients”
e3“similar atrazine treated soil pretreated with SD biochar had increased soil pH, SOC, exchangeable Ca, available P, and DBW by 5.6 (in SD + PM@450 °C), 73.6 (SD-PM@450 °C), 84 (SD + PM@450 °C), 2,338.4 (SD + PM@450 °C), and 154.8% (SD + PM@350 °C), respectively, dominantly at 10 t/ha compared to AC”
Claim · model-written summary
Sawdust biochar with poultry manure at 450 °C increased exchangeable Ca by 84% in atrazine-treated soil.
- Treatment
- SD + PM@450 °Ce3
- Outcome
- exchangeable Cae3
- Direction
- increasede3
- Value
- 84e3
- Qualifier
- dominantly at 10 t/hae3
- Comparator
- ACe3
- Setting
- incubation triale1
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Maize seeds were thereafter sown in the treated soils and nurtured for 2 weeks”
e1“This incubation trial evaluated immediate effects of atrazine application on SOC and selected soil macronutrients”
e3“similar atrazine treated soil pretreated with SD biochar had increased soil pH, SOC, exchangeable Ca, available P, and DBW by 5.6 (in SD + PM@450 °C), 73.6 (SD-PM@450 °C), 84 (SD + PM@450 °C), 2,338.4 (SD + PM@450 °C), and 154.8% (SD + PM@350 °C), respectively, dominantly at 10 t/ha compared to AC”
Claim · model-written summary
Sawdust biochar with poultry manure at 450 °C increased available P by 2,338.4% in atrazine-treated soil.
- Treatment
- SD + PM@450 °Ce3
- Outcome
- available Pe3
- Direction
- increasede3
- Value
- 2,338.4e3
- Qualifier
- dominantly at 10 t/hae3
- Comparator
- ACe3
- Setting
- incubation triale1
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Maize seeds were thereafter sown in the treated soils and nurtured for 2 weeks”
e1“This incubation trial evaluated immediate effects of atrazine application on SOC and selected soil macronutrients”
e3“similar atrazine treated soil pretreated with SD biochar had increased soil pH, SOC, exchangeable Ca, available P, and DBW by 5.6 (in SD + PM@450 °C), 73.6 (SD-PM@450 °C), 84 (SD + PM@450 °C), 2,338.4 (SD + PM@450 °C), and 154.8% (SD + PM@350 °C), respectively, dominantly at 10 t/ha compared to AC”
Claim · model-written summary
Sawdust biochar with poultry manure at 350 °C increased dry biomass weight of maize seedlings by 154.8% in atrazine-treated soil.
- Treatment
- SD + PM@350 °Ce3
- Outcome
- DBWe3
- Direction
- increasede3
- Value
- 154.8%e3
- Qualifier
- dominantly at 10 t/hae3
- Comparator
- ACe3
- Setting
- incubation triale1
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Maize seeds were thereafter sown in the treated soils and nurtured for 2 weeks”
e1“This incubation trial evaluated immediate effects of atrazine application on SOC and selected soil macronutrients”
e3“similar atrazine treated soil pretreated with SD biochar had increased soil pH, SOC, exchangeable Ca, available P, and DBW by 5.6 (in SD + PM@450 °C), 73.6 (SD-PM@450 °C), 84 (SD + PM@450 °C), 2,338.4 (SD + PM@450 °C), and 154.8% (SD + PM@350 °C), respectively, dominantly at 10 t/ha compared to AC”
Claim · model-written summary
Atrazine alone had higher soil available P (23.8 mg/kg) than the absolute control (5.42 mg/kg).
- Treatment
- Sole atrazine treated soile4
- Outcome
- available Pe4
- Direction
- highere4
- Value
- 23.8 mg/kge4
- Qualifier
- 5.42 mg/kge4
- Comparator
- ACe4
- Setting
- incubation triale1
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Maize seeds were thereafter sown in the treated soils and nurtured for 2 weeks”
e1“This incubation trial evaluated immediate effects of atrazine application on SOC and selected soil macronutrients”
e4“Sole atrazine treated soil was, however, higher in soil available P (23.8 mg/kg) and TDBW (0.56 g) against 5.42 mg/kg and 0.42 g from AC, respectively”
Claim · model-written summary
Atrazine alone had higher total dry biomass weight (0.56 g) than the absolute control (0.42 g).
- Treatment
- Sole atrazine treated soile4
- Outcome
- TDBWe4
- Direction
- highere4
- Value
- 0.56 ge4
- Qualifier
- 0.42 ge4
- Comparator
- ACe4
- Setting
- incubation triale1
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Maize seeds were thereafter sown in the treated soils and nurtured for 2 weeks”
e1“This incubation trial evaluated immediate effects of atrazine application on SOC and selected soil macronutrients”
e4“Sole atrazine treated soil was, however, higher in soil available P (23.8 mg/kg) and TDBW (0.56 g) against 5.42 mg/kg and 0.42 g from AC, respectively”
Claim · model-written summary
Biochar pH and organic carbon were the most influential biochar properties for SOC sequestration and macronutrient enrichment in atrazine-treated soil.
Not reportedDirection
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Maize seeds were thereafter sown in the treated soils and nurtured for 2 weeks”
e5“Biochar pH and organic carbon were the most influential biochar properties contributing significantly to SOC sequestration and macronutrient enrichment in the atrazine treated soil”
Claim · model-written summary
Pretreating soil with sawdust biochar before atrazine application is recommended to mitigate organic carbon and macronutrient depletion for maize production.
- Treatment
- Pretreatment of soils with sawdust biochar prior to atrazine applicatione6
- Outcome
- mitigating associated organic carbon and macronutrient depletion in the soilse6
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Maize seeds were thereafter sown in the treated soils and nurtured for 2 weeks”
e6“Pretreatment of soils with sawdust biochar prior to atrazine application is, therefore, recommended for mitigating associated organic carbon and macronutrient depletion in the soils for enhanced maize production”
The same questions in other papers
atrazine · nutrient: content · Zea mays (maize)Positive and negative results
5 papers in the same direction as this paper · 12 in the opposite direction
- positive
- positive
- positive
14 papers more in this group
See all 18 papers →growing medium · nutrient: content · Zea mays (maize)Positive and negative results
11 papers in the same direction as this paper · 1 in the opposite direction
- negative
- positive
- positive
9 papers more in this group
See all 13 papers →growing medium · growth · Zea mays (maize)Positive and negative results
31 papers in the same direction as this paper · 7 in the opposite direction · 1 reporting no difference from an alternative
- negative
- negative
- negative
36 papers more in this group
See all 40 papers →fertilization · soil: chemistry · Zea mays (maize)Positive and negative results
302 papers in the same direction as this paper · 34 in the opposite direction · 2 reporting no difference from an alternative
- negative
- no effect
- no effect
335 papers more in this group
See all 339 papers →fertilization · nutrient: content · Zea mays (maize)Positive and negative results
1,025 papers in the same direction as this paper · 127 in the opposite direction · 11 reporting no difference from an alternative
- negative
- negative
- negative
1,160 papers more in this group
See all 1,164 papers →fertilization · growth · Zea mays (maize)Positive and negative results
1,195 papers in the same direction as this paper · 149 in the opposite direction · 20 reporting no difference from an alternative
- no effect
- no effect
- negative
1,361 papers more in this group
See all 1,365 papers →growing medium · soil: chemistry · Zea mays (maize)Results agree
5 papers in the same direction as this paper
- positive
- positive
- positive
2 papers more in this group
See all 6 papers →Claims are grouped by organism, treatment and what was measured or targeted. A paper counts as positive when any of its claims in the group is positive.