Effects of biochar co-application with urea on nitrogen losses, rice yield, and nitrogen agronomic efficiency in rice production system
4 affiliations
- 1Department of Soil Science and Environment, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University
- 2Prachin Buri Rice Research Center, Rice Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives
- 3Program on System Approaches in Agriculture for Sustainable Development, Department of Agricultural Extension and Agricultural Systems, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University
- 4The Joint Graduate School of Energy and Environment, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi
Abstract
Balancing nitrogen (N) productivity with environmental sustainability is critical in flooded rice systems, where N losses are substantial. Rice straw, a major agricultural waste, can be converted into biochar to improve nutrient retention and yield. This study compared four treatments in a continuously flooded tropical paddy field: an unfertilized control, chemical fertilizer (CF), rice straw with CF (RS + CF), and rice straw-derived biochar with CF (BC + CF). We quantified major N-loss pathways, agronomic efficiency of applied N (NAE), and N gas-related global warming potential (GWPN). The results indicate that BC + CF reduced total N loss to 33% of total N input, compared with 38% under RS + CF and 43% under CF. Compared with CF, BC + CF significantly reduced NH4 +–N leaching, NH3 volatilization, and N2O emissions through enhanced soil cation exchange capacity and mineral N retention. In contrast, RS + CF significantly increased NH4 +–N leaching but significantly reduced NH3 volatilization and N2O emissions. Both RS + CF and BC + CF significantly reduced GWPN relative to CF, while BC + CF achieved the highest grain yield and NAE. These findings demonstrate that the co-application of rice straw-derived biochar with chemical fertilizer is a promising strategy for mitigating N losses and improving agronomic efficiency in flooded rice systems.
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BibTeX
@article{somboon2026effects,
title = {{Effects of biochar co-application with urea on nitrogen losses, rice yield, and nitrogen agronomic efficiency in rice production system}},
author = {Saowalak Somboon and Benjamas Rossopa and Sujitra Yodda and Phrueksa Lawongsa and Amnat Chidthaisong and Tanabhat-Sakorn Sukitprapanon},
journal = {Scientific Reports},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1038/s41598-026-67235-0},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-67235-0},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Effects of biochar co-application with urea on nitrogen losses, rice yield, and nitrogen agronomic efficiency in rice production system
AU - Saowalak Somboon
AU - Benjamas Rossopa
AU - Sujitra Yodda
AU - Phrueksa Lawongsa
AU - Amnat Chidthaisong
AU - Tanabhat-Sakorn Sukitprapanon
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/01
JO - Scientific Reports
DO - 10.1038/s41598-026-67235-0
UR - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-67235-0
AB - Balancing nitrogen (N) productivity with environmental sustainability is critical in flooded rice systems, where N losses are substantial. Rice straw, a major agricultural waste, can be converted into biochar to improve nutrient retention and yield. This study compared four treatments in a continuously flooded tropical paddy field: an unfertilized control, chemical fertilizer (CF), rice straw with CF (RS + CF), and rice straw-derived biochar with CF (BC + CF). We quantified major N-loss pathways, agronomic efficiency of applied N (NAE), and N gas-related global warming potential (GWPN). The results indicate that BC + CF reduced total N loss to 33% of total N input, compared with 38% under RS + CF and 43% under CF. Compared with CF, BC + CF significantly reduced NH4 +–N leaching, NH3 volatilization, and N2O emissions through enhanced soil cation exchange capacity and mineral N retention. In contrast, RS + CF significantly increased NH4 +–N leaching but significantly reduced NH3 volatilization and N2O emissions. Both RS + CF and BC + CF significantly reduced GWPN relative to CF, while BC + CF achieved the highest grain yield and NAE. These findings demonstrate that the co-application of rice straw-derived biochar with chemical fertilizer is a promising strategy for mitigating N losses and improving agronomic efficiency in flooded rice systems.
SN - 2045-2322
ER -