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2025 Vol.58, Issue 4 Preview Page

Original research article

Effect of mixed biochar derived from chicken manure and woody biomass on lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) growth and nutrient use efficiency
Ikhyeong Lee1
,
Han-Na Cho2
,
Jae-Hyuk Park3
,
Chang-Gon Lee4
,
Ji-Min Song4
,
Ju-Sik Cho5
,
Yong Hwa Cheong5
,
Se-Won Kang6*
1Master Student, Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Sunchon National University, Suncheon 57922, Korea
2Doctoral Student, Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Sunchon National University, Suncheon 57922, Korea
3Postdoctoral Researcher, Division of soil and water environment, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, RDA, Wanju 55365, Korea
4Undergraduate Student, Department of Agricultural Chemistry & Agricultural Life Sciences Sunchon National University, Suncheon 57922, Korea
5Professor, Department of Agricultural Chemistry & Agricultural Life Sciences, Sunchon National University, Suncheon 57922, Korea
6Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Chemistry & Agricultural Life Sciences, Sunchon National University, Suncheon 57922, Korea
*Corresponding Author
30 November 2025. pp. 442-454
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Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of mixed biochar derived from chicken manure and woody biomass (CMBC) on lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) growth and nutrients use efficiency. The CMBC was produced using chicken manure and woody biomass mixed at ratios (80:20). A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of CMBC application on growth Characteristics and nutrient contents of lettuce and soil fertility. Treatments included CMBC at 3, 5, and 10 Mg ha-1 (CMBC3, CMBC5, and CMBC10), control (CN), inorganic fertilizer (IF) of N 200 kg ha-1, P 59 kg ha-1, K 128 kg ha-1, and combinations of CMBC and IF (IF+CMBC3, IF+CMBC5 and IF+CMBC10). The fresh weight, plant height, and leaf number of lettuce in CMBC3 were increased by 29.5 - 82.6%, 53.1 - 83.7%, and 75 - 95.6%, respectively than those other treatments. The total amounts of N, P, and K were also highest in CMBC3, indicating enhanced availability due to biochar application. Nutrients use efficiency including agronomic efficiency and apparent recovery fraction were also highest in CMBC3, while higher rates or combined treatments showed a decreasing trend. Soil chemical charateristics were increased in pH, EC, exchangeable cations, T-N and O.M with CMBC application, indicating improved soil fertility. These results suggest that low-rate application of CMBC (3 Mg ha-1) is effective as an organic fertilizer. Nevertheless, excessive application rates or the co-application of biochar with inorganic fertilizers may negatively affect nutrient use efficiency and crop performance, highlighting the need for further optimization of fertilization strategies.

Growth index of Lettuce by chicken under different chicken manure biochar treatments.
Keywords
Agronomic efficiency
Apparent recovery fraction
Chicken manure recycling
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Information
  • Publisher :Korean Society of Soil Science and Fertilizer
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국토양비료학회
  • Journal Title :Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
  • Journal Title(Ko) :한국토양비료학회 학회지
  • Volume : 58
  • No :4
  • Pages :442-454
  • Received Date : 2025-07-29
  • Revised Date : 2025-08-25
  • Accepted Date : 2025-09-26
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.7745/KJSSF.2025.58.4.442
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