Soil Nitrogen Dynamics and Early Wheat Early Growth in Response to Wood‐ and Crab Shell‐Derived Biochar Amended With Cow Urine or Seaweed Extract

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Abstract
Biochar provides multiple agronomic benefits, including carbon sequestration and reduced nutrient leaching. This study evaluated the effects of wood‐ and crab shell‐based biochar, enriched with cow urine or liquid seaweed extract, on soil nitrogen (N) dynamics and early spring wheat ( Triticum aestivum ) growth. Three experiments were conducted: (1) nutrient sequestration analysis of enriched biochar, (2) a soil column leaching experiment, and (3) germination experiments. Biochar was produced via pyrolysis at 400°C, ground to < 1 mm, and enriched by immersion in liquid amendments for 48 h. Enrichment increased nitrate (NO 3 − ) and ammonium (NH 4 + ) content, particularly in wood biochar enriched with cow urine. In the soil column experiment, both biochars significantly reduced NO 3 − and NH 4 + leaching compared to urea and unamended control treatments. When cow urine was used as a liquid enrichment amendment, crab shell biochar reduced NH 4 + leaching by 89.7% and NO 3 − by 85.1%, while wood biochar reduced NH 4 + by 94.8% and NO 3 − by 87.8% relative to non‐amended soil. Seaweed extract‐enriched biochar also reduced inorganic N leaching compared to non‐amended soil, though reductions were less pronounced than those observed with cow urine enrichment. In germination experiments, adding 1.00 g of wood biochar per pouch significantly increased shoot length by 29.5% compared to the non‐biochar control, whereas higher rates of crab shell biochar resulted in a negative effect, reducing shoot length by 35.0% compared to the control. Cow urine‐enriched wood biochar and liquid seaweed extract alone produced the longest shoots. Among treatments, cow urine‐enriched wood biochar showed the highest N retention and greatest stimulation of shoot growth. These findings indicate that enriched biochar, particularly cow urine‐enriched wood biochar, can act as effective slow‐release fertilizers, reducing N leaching and enhancing early plant growth.
Funding Information
  • Mitacs (IT43191)

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