New liquid biochar fertilizers improve yield nutrient efficiency and returns
A new field study has shown that liquid biochar-based fertilizers can greatly improve pasture production, nutrient balance, and farm profits. These findings offer farmers a new way to use fertilizers more efficiently and sustainably.
Farmers today face major challenges such as climate change, soil degradation, and rising fertilizer costs. Traditional fertilizers often lose nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus through runoff or leaching. This reduces crop uptake and increases environmental risks.
Researchers tested four liquid biochar mineral complex fertilizers, known as BMCs, in pasture systems in New South Wales, Australia. These products combine biochar with mineral nutrients, allowing better nutrient delivery in large-scale farming.
The study compared two basic BMCs, one phosphorus-enriched, and one nitrogen-enriched fertilizer. All were tested with and without additional fertilizers to measure their impact on soil health, nutrient uptake, and pasture yield.
The nitrogen-enriched product, BMC4, showed the best results. Pasture yield reached 42.20 tons per hectare, much higher than 18.75 tons from conventional fertilizer and 11.53 tons without fertilizer.
According to Professor Shahla Hosseini Bai, the form and nutrient combination of liquid biochar fertilizers are important.
“Our findings show that the form and nutrient enrichment of liquid biochar fertilizers matter greatly,” said Hosseini Bai. “The nitrogen-enriched BMC not only increased pasture production, but also improved nutrient balance, which is critical for both farm profitability and environmental protection.”
BMC4 was also the only treatment that showed positive nitrogen and phosphorus balance. This means crops did not need to use nutrients already stored in the soil, improving long-term soil health.
Other products also performed well. BMC1 and BMC3 gave better results when used with conventional fertilizers, showing that different blends can suit different farm needs.
Importantly, the fertilizers did not harm soil microbes in the short term. The study also found strong economic benefits, with good returns for farmers using these products.
Researchers say more long-term studies are needed, but liquid biochar fertilizers show strong potential for improving productivity, reducing nutrient loss, and supporting sustainable farming.
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