I have analyzed and tried to compare the nutrient content of the pinewood biochar VS biochar obtained from weed biomass and corn straw (annual biomass). I observed a higher nutritional content in the annual grass/corn straw biochar compared to the biochar obtained from wood biomass (pine needles). What could be the reason for a higher NPK content in annual weed biomass than evergreen pine biomass? Does the cellulose/hemicellulose/lignin content of the plant's foliage play a role in the transport of nutrients in the plant's systems?
That's a very good question. One of the reasons I feel , is the comparatively higher lignin, cellulose and hemicelluloses in perennial woody framework than annual weeds, accordingly the lesser nutrients are locked up as a feedstock poor in baseline nutrient concentration..
Sir Anoop Kumar Srivastava, thank you for the most valuable information. I too agree with your view. While discussing with some of the physiologists, in addition, they also added a few more points. I hereby writing the same for the information of other readers.
1. Firstly, the annuals weed/ crop species root system well-distributed in the organic matter rich fertile topsoil of 30-45 depth, and having the capacity to take up most of the essential plant nutrients, compared to perennial plants with a deeper root system. Weih et al. 2011 reported four times higher nitrogen accumulation in annual crop (winter wheat) than short term perennial tree (Salix) (Article Assessment of nutrient use in annual and perennial crops: A ...
).2. Secondly, the long-distance transport of lesser mobile elements has setback or restriction and miss to be a part of metabolic reactions in the shoot system may responsible for less nutrient content in the shoot system.
Regards,
Balusamy
Agreed to some extent. When you compare rhizosphere health parameters of annual crops versus perennial crops , you fine better nutrient and water dynamics in rhizosphere of latter. And likewise , perennial crops are more nutrient extracting than annual crops , especially the fruit crops. Rhizosphere of ecology of perennial crops is likewise more active than annual crops , with off course few exceptions...
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