Investigation of Nitrate–Nitrogen (NO₃–N) Mass Balance Between Effluent and Soil Under the Effect of Raw Pistachio Residues and its Biochar Application

ABSTRACT

Disruption in the nitrogen (N) cycle balance has a negative impact on the overall trend of sustainable development, and using soil amendments is necessary to reduce these hazards. This study was carried out as a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design. The treatments consisted of three levels of amendments (0, 7.5 g/kg of pistachio residues, and 7.5 g/kg of biochar) and four levels of irrigation water salinity including 0.5 (urban water), 5.5, 8, and 10.5 dS/m and in three replications. Two pistachio seedlings were transferred to all columns and then in three steps, and in each step, 25 mg N/kg of potassium nitrate was added. The results indicated that pistachio residuals and its biochar increased nitrate outflow from effluent by 9% and 52%, respectively. The effects of amendment treatment and irrigation water salinity on all three characteristics of output nitrate, soil nitrate, and absorbed plant nitrate were significant at 1% level.

KEYWORDS:

• Cadmium column
• nitrate leaching
• pyrolysis process
• soil nitrate