Persistence of Biochar Effects on Soil and Nitrous Oxide Emissions: Evaluating Single vs. Repeated Applications in Multi-Year Field Trial

Biochar has been widely recognized for its potential to improve soil quality and mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A field experiment was conducted in a temperate climate zone of Slovakia on Haplic Luvisol and evaluated the long-term impact of biochar on soil properties, nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield. Biochar was applied in 2014 at rates of 0, 10, and 20 t ha−1 and reapplied in 2018 at the same rates, combined with nitrogen (N) fertilization (0, 140, and 210 kg N ha−1). Measurements, conducted from March to October 2021, showed that biochar improved soil water content, increased soil pH, and enhanced soil organic carbon content. However, the concentrations of NH4+-N and NO3−-N generally decreased across all the treatments compared to their respective controls. Biochar reapplication rate at 20 t ha−1, especially combined with second level of N-fertilization, led to a significant reduction in cumulative N2O emissions by 38.40%. Winter wheat yield was positively correlated with both biochar application (10 and 20 t ha−1) and N levels (140 and 210 kg N ha−1), but these differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The positive effects of biochar on soil properties and yield declined over time, with no significant yield differences observed 7 years after the initial application and 3 years after reapplication. These findings suggest that while biochar can enhance soil conditions and reduce GHG emissions in the short term, its long-term effectiveness remains uncertain. Further research is needed to explore alternative biochar feedstocks, application methods, and strategies to sustain its benefits in agricultural systems.