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Biochar Effect on the Microbial Processes in Soil
Losová, Anežka ; Sovová, Šárka (referee) ; Kalina, Michal (advisor)
This bachelor thesis is focused on the investigation of the biochar effect on the microbial processes in soil. The theoretical part describes the properties of the soil, the characteristics of biochar, the definition of the methods of its production and the influence of biochar on microbial activity in soil. The experimental part was focused on optimization of the conditions for assessing of the effect of biochar on the rate of mineralization of soil organic matter through monitoring of the release of carbon dioxide from soil without biochar and from the biochar-amended soil with NPK fertilizer. Carbon dioxide was sorbed into sodium hydroxide during the incubation and the released amount was determined by titration. In the following part of the thesis, the experiments were focused on assessing the effect of increased soil temperature and humidity on the amount of CO2 released by soil respiration. Experimental data showed that biochar promoted the microbial activity and this effect was even enhanced by addition of NPK fertilizer to a defined amount of biochar. The increased temperature negatively influenced the microbial processes in soil, as the rate of soil respiration of carbon dioxide decreased. Excessive moisture had also a negative effect on microbial activity, resulted in the slowed rate of the soil respiration. In summary, biochar has a positive effect on microbial activity and the rate of mineralization of soil organic matter in a defined amount under the appropriate conditions and it can be used as a suitable soil conditioner in agriculture.
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Quantification of the Influence of Biochar on Soil Respiration
Losová, Anežka ; Mravcová, Ludmila (referee) ; Kalina, Michal (advisor)
This master‘s thesis is focused on the investigation of methods for evaluating the effect of biochar and NPK fertilizer on the activity of soil microorganisms by measuring soil respiration. The theoretical part describes the characteristics of soil, the properties of biochar and its production process. Furthermore, the literature research was focused on the definition and optimization of the various methodologies that can be used to measure soil respiration. The experimental part describes selected physicochemical characteristics of soil and biochar (pH, conductivity, water retention capacity). Thermogravimetric analysis and elemental analysis were used for measuring of the amount of organic and inorganic content and the composition of organic elements (C, H, O and N) in the soil and biochar samples. From the literature research, a dynamic incubation system was chosen for monitoring of the influence of biochar application on the microbial activity of soil microorganisms through the measurement of soil respiration. The produced carbon dioxide was sorbed into sodium hydroxide solution during the incubation and the released amount was determined by titration and conductometric method. The measured results of both methods correlated with each other, and both of these methods are suitable for determining the rate of soil respiration. Experimental data showed that biochar had positive effects on the rate of carbon dioxide production by soil respiration. The combined application of biochar and NPK fertilizer did not significantly increase the efficiency of biochar. In summary, biochar as a soil conditioner in agriculture has great potential to act and to support the level of soil respiration.
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Biochar Effect on the Microbial Processes in Soil
Losová, Anežka ; Sovová, Šárka (referee) ; Kalina, Michal (advisor)
This bachelor thesis is focused on the investigation of the biochar effect on the microbial processes in soil. The theoretical part describes the properties of the soil, the characteristics of biochar, the definition of the methods of its production and the influence of biochar on microbial activity in soil. The experimental part was focused on optimization of the conditions for assessing of the effect of biochar on the rate of mineralization of soil organic matter through monitoring of the release of carbon dioxide from soil without biochar and from the biochar-amended soil with NPK fertilizer. Carbon dioxide was sorbed into sodium hydroxide during the incubation and the released amount was determined by titration. In the following part of the thesis, the experiments were focused on assessing the effect of increased soil temperature and humidity on the amount of CO2 released by soil respiration. Experimental data showed that biochar promoted the microbial activity and this effect was even enhanced by addition of NPK fertilizer to a defined amount of biochar. The increased temperature negatively influenced the microbial processes in soil, as the rate of soil respiration of carbon dioxide decreased. Excessive moisture had also a negative effect on microbial activity, resulted in the slowed rate of the soil respiration. In summary, biochar has a positive effect on microbial activity and the rate of mineralization of soil organic matter in a defined amount under the appropriate conditions and it can be used as a suitable soil conditioner in agriculture.
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