Phosphorus Fertilizer Effects Following Continuous Application of Biochar-Based Soil Amendments in Low-Input Cropping System

Biochar produced from phosphorus (P)-rich feedstocks has often been promoted as an alternative P fertilizer. However, existing evidence has mainly been obtained from incubation experiments and field trials with a rather short duration, leaving uncertainty about whether repeated low-rate applications of biochar can meaningfully supply P and increase soil P pools over time. This study evaluates the agronomic effects of 10 years of application of biochar derived from plant biowaste (BIO) and bones (BC) at an application rate of 4 t ha−1 yr−1, compared with a mineral P fertilizer (MIN), compost application (COM), and a zero-P control. The application of P through BC and COM led to higher total soil P concentrations than the control. Changes in labile P pools (H2O–P, NaHCO3–P, Bray-P) were generally modest, but BC again tended to yield higher values relative to the other treatments. The ratio of organic to inorganic P was not influenced by fertilizer type. A clear effect of the amendments on maize yield was observed, with BC producing the highest yields among all amendments (6.4 t ha−1; average 2020–2023), and yields were occasionally further increased when BC was combined with COM. The BIO treatments also achieved yields that were at least comparable to those of the MIN treatment (4.7 t ha−1). Despite the limited effects on labile soil P pools, the amendments increased yields and can be considered effective substitutes for mineral P fertilizers at this application rate.