Zhang, J., Sun, Y., Liu, X. et al. Maize straw biocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More improved soil nitrogen, but no effect on phosphorus in desert under mulched drip irrigation. Irrig Sci (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00271-024-00948-0

Field experiments conducted at the edge of the Horqin Desert aimed to study the impact of biochar on peanut nutrient accumulation and soil nitrogen and phosphorus levels. Researchers used a split-plot design with drip irrigation (CK) and mulched drip irrigation (M) as main plot factors. Sub-plots received three maize straw biochar application rates: B0 (0 t/ha), B1 (24 t/ha), and B2 (48 t/ha).

In 2020 and 2021, peanut pod nitrogen accumulation (NA) in MB1 plots was 52.3% and 32.6% higher than in MB0 plots at the pod-filling stage. In 2020, phosphorus accumulation in MB0 and MB1 was 107.37% and 50.79% higher than in MB2, respectively. There was a strong correlation between soil total nitrogen and protein content (0.73) and between soil pHpH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline a substance is. A pH of 7 is neutral, while lower pH values indicate acidity and higher values indicate alkalinity. Biochars are normally alkaline and can influence soil pH, often increasing it, which can be beneficial More and peanut oil content (0.83). Compared with MB2 and DB0, MB1 increased peanut yield by 62.5% and 38.3%, respectively.

Biochar combined with mulched drip irrigation increased soil nitrate-N content, allowing it to be fixed in the root area. However, this intervention had no discernible impact on soil available phosphorus, with most phosphorus concentrated in the 40-60 cm soil layer.

In conclusion, applying biochar at 24 t/ha (B1) to peanut cultivation in a semi-arid desert area significantly increased peanut nutrient accumulation and improved soil properties related to peanut yield and quality, though it did not affect soil phosphorus levels.