E¡ects of Biochar on Nutrient Leaching and Begonia Plant Growth

Biochar is a highly adsorptive carbon substrate. A study was conducted to determine the ability of biochar to reduce fertilizer runoff from nurseries. Potting mix was augmented with biochar at different rates, ranging from 0% to 30% by volume, with some treatments planted with Begonia x semperflorens-cultorum hort. ‘Viva.’ The pots were fertilized with a modified Hoagland solution and watered four times a week. The leachate was collected from each pot after watering and aggregated into weekly samples. Leachate from each week was analyzed photometrically for nitrate, ammonium and ortho-phosphate concentrations. Leaching of all three ions was reduced in the biochar-amended treatments. Biochar did not affect plant growth, nitrogen or phosphorus content of the plant material. Index words: Ammonium, nitrate, phosphate, biochar, begonia, Begonia x semperflorens-cultorum hort. ‘Viva,’ media, container