Biochar, Fertilizers and Microbes Interactions for Soil Health and Crop Productivity

A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Soil and Plant Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2024 | Viewed by 12112

Special Issue Editors

Department of Agriculture Crop Production and Rural Environment, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
Interests: soil science; soil chemistry; heavy metals
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
CSIC-Centro de Edafología y Biología Aplicada del Segura, Department of Soil and Water Conservation, P.O. Box 164, Campus de Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain
Interests: environmental science; agricultural plant science; agronomy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Recent research on biochar has focused on enhancing soil fertility, carbon sequestration, microorganism activities, agricultural production, climate change mitigation, soil contamination and other related aspects. Given the ongoing interest in biochar, this Special Issue aims to collect original research as well as review articles exploring different aspects of biochar application for improving microbial activities, soil fertility and crop and pasture production. While research in this field has progressed considerably with significant key findings on agronomic benefits, carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas emissions, soil acidity, soil fertility, soil health, soil salinity, etc., more field-based research is required before definitive recommendations can be made to end-users regarding the effects of biochar application across a range of soils, climates and land management practices.

Soil constraints causing major problems for plant growth and crop production are categorised as chemical, physical and biological. Chemical constraints include acidity, salinity, sodicity and nutrient deficiencies, which impact crop and pasture production. A significant amount of fertiliser is needed in nutrient-deficient soil for crop production. Physically constrained soils have compacted soil layers with high bulk density and low water movement. Soils with low organic matter have poor biological activities with reduced microbial biomass and activity. Soil amendment with biochar along with appropriate combinations of fertilisers can improve soil by increasing organic carbon, soil fertility and agronomic benefits. This Special Issue will publish articles on how the application of biochar, fertilisers and microbes can increase soil health and crop yields and subsequently overcome soil constraints such as acidity, salinity, drought, low fertility, etc.

Dr. Spyridon Petropoulos
Dr. Vasileios Antoniadis
Dr. Maria Del Mar Alguacil 
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • arbuscular mycorrhizae
  • agronomic benefits
  • biochar
  • nutrient deficiency
  • soil quality
  • soil constraint
  • soil salinity
  • soil organic carbon
  • soil health
  • soil fertility
  • soil organisms
  • soil acidity

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 1208 KiB  
Article
Assaying the Use of a Leonardite-Suspension Concentrate-Based Product as a Potential Biostimulant to Enhance Growth, NPK Use Efficiency, and Antioxidant Capacity in Lactuca sativa L.
by Santiago Atero-Calvo, Francesco Magro, Giacomo Masetti, Eloy Navarro-León, Juan Jose Rios and Juan Manuel Ruiz
Agronomy 2024, 14(1), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14010064 - 26 Dec 2023
Viewed by 758
Abstract
Biostimulants are presented as a potential tool to achieve the main objectives of modern agriculture: increase crop yield and nutritional quality while reducing chemical fertilizer use. Here, we investigated the use of a HS-based product (BLACKJAK®, from Sofbey S.A., Mendrisio, Switzerland) [...] Read more.
Biostimulants are presented as a potential tool to achieve the main objectives of modern agriculture: increase crop yield and nutritional quality while reducing chemical fertilizer use. Here, we investigated the use of a HS-based product (BLACKJAK®, from Sofbey S.A., Mendrisio, Switzerland) as a biostimulant to enhance plant growth, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) use efficiency, as well as antioxidant capacity. For this purpose, BLACKJAK® was applied to lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) as radicular (‘R’) and foliar (‘F’) at doses: 0.20 mL/L (R1), 0.40 mL/L (R2), 0.60 mL/L (R3), and 0.80 mL/L (R4), 5.00 mL/L (F1), 7.50 mL/L (F2), 10.00 mL/L (F3), and 12.50 mL/L (F4), along with a control. Shoot fresh weight (FW) and dry weight (DW), leaf area, NPK use efficiency parameters, and antioxidant capacity were evaluated. Our results showed that R1, R2, R3, F2, and F3 enhanced shoot FW and leaf area, while only R3 increased shoot DW. Furthermore, in general, most of the doses employed enhanced NPK use efficiency parameters such as apparent crop recovery, nutrient export, physiological efficiency, and internal utilization of applied nutrients. Similarly, HS also increased ascorbate, glutathione, and phenol concentrations, showing an improvement in antioxidant capacity measured through FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power) and TEAC (Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity) assays. Overall, root-HS offered better results than foliar-HS, especially at R3. Hence, our results indicate that BLACKJAK® could be a good candidate to enhance crop productivity and nutritional quality while reducing the use of chemical NPK fertilizers. Full article
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15 pages, 2242 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Biochar and Inorganic Fertilizer on Soil Available Phosphorus and Bacterial Community Dynamics in Acidic Paddy Soils for Different Incubation Temperatures
by Rubab Sarfraz, Faisal Nadeem, Wenhao Yang, Muhammad Tayyab, Muhammad Israr Khan, Rashid Mahmood, Xingjie Guo, Shihe Xing and Gil Won Kim
Agronomy 2024, 14(1), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14010026 - 21 Dec 2023
Viewed by 695
Abstract
The composition of microbial communities and the functioning of ecosystems are greatly influenced by the nutrient inputs. Despite this fact, our knowledge regarding the impact of phosphorus (P) inputs on soil P availability and microbial community structures in subtropical acidic soils remains limited. [...] Read more.
The composition of microbial communities and the functioning of ecosystems are greatly influenced by the nutrient inputs. Despite this fact, our knowledge regarding the impact of phosphorus (P) inputs on soil P availability and microbial community structures in subtropical acidic soils remains limited. We hypothesized that diverse P inputs, incubation temperatures, and soil types could significantly alter soil P availability and microbial communities. To address this gap, we conducted a laboratory incubation experiment, investigating the effects of biochar and inorganic P amendments on soil available P, soil pH, acid phosphatase enzymes, and bacterial abundance. We employed two different incubation temperatures (15 °C and 25 °C) using acidic paddy soil and red soil from the subtropical Southern China region. Our results indicate a notable increase in soil pH, reaching 37% and 39% at 15 °C and 40% and 40.6% at 25 °C, respectively, following the application of biochar and inorganic P amendments in paddy soil. In the case of red soil, we observed pH increases of 41% and 43% at 15 °C and 44% and 45% at 25 °C after the application of biochar and inorganic P amendment, respectively. The addition of inorganic P amendment resulted in the highest available P contents in paddy soil, reaching 111.47 mg/kg at 15 °C and 100.17 mg/kg at 25 °C, respectively. However, Proteobacteria decreased after inorganic P addition, which showed that P might not be the only limiting nutrient for various bacterial communities. Bacterial diversity and richness indices were found to be higher after biochar application in both soils. Gemmatimonadetes, Acidobacteria, and Actinobacteria were found to be strongly influenced by incubation temperatures, whereas most of the top abundant bacterial phyla, such as Gemmatimonadetes, Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, Acidobacteria, Planctomycetes, Firmicutes, Patescibacteria, and Bacteroidetes, were highly dependent on soil type. At the genus level, various important P solubilizing genera (Pseudomonas, Bradyrhizobium, Streptomyces jietaisiensis, Massilia) significantly increased after biochar and inorganic P addition in both soils. The correlation analysis proved that P-solubilizing genera were significantly associated with changes in soil pH, as well as soil available P after biochar and inorganic P addition. Conclusively, in a short-term incubation experiment, inorganic P amendment greatly increased the soil pH and available phosphorus contents compared to biochar and control treatments; however, the microbial community was observed to be strongly associated with biochar application, soil type, and incubation temperature. Full article
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15 pages, 1089 KiB  
Article
Can Soil Improvers (Biochar, Compost, Insect Frass, Lime, and Zeolite) Achieve Phytostabilization of Potentially Toxic Elements in Heavily Contaminated Soil with the Use of Purslane (Portulaca oleracea)?
by Giorgos Thalassinos, Efi Levizou and Vasileios Antoniadis
Agronomy 2023, 13(11), 2827; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13112827 - 16 Nov 2023
Viewed by 698
Abstract
In soil with extremely high contents of Cd (101.87), Pb (26,526.44), and Zn (17,652.63 mg kg−1), we aimed to test the phytostabilization capacity of purslane (Portulaca oleracea) with the use of various soil improvers, both organic (biochar, compost, insect [...] Read more.
In soil with extremely high contents of Cd (101.87), Pb (26,526.44), and Zn (17,652.63 mg kg−1), we aimed to test the phytostabilization capacity of purslane (Portulaca oleracea) with the use of various soil improvers, both organic (biochar, compost, insect frass) and inorganic (lime and zeolite). Thus, in a 60-day pot experiment, we amended this heavily contaminated soil with the five materials at two rates, 2% and 4%, resulting in 11 treatments (control plus five materials × two rates) replicated 10 times. We found that soil extractions of Cd with DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) were not affected by any of the amendments, as there was no recorded significant reduction in soil Cd. In the case of Pb, there were even significant increases in its extractability with added biochar, and so was the case for compost at 4%. The reason may be the formation of organometallic complexes with organic substances of low molecular weight eluted by the organic amendments. Similarly, Zn extractability increased significantly compared to the control in the compost and frass treatments. As for purslane shoots, Cd decreased from 61 μg kg−1 fresh weight (FW) at control to 39 at biochar 4%, but the reduction was non-significant. As for Pb, it decreased with biochar but not significantly, while it exhibited a significant decrease in all other treatments. However, in all cases the content of Pb in purslane was well above the European regulation limit of 0.100 mg kg−1 FW (fresh weight) for vegetables and fresh herbs, while Cd fell below the regulation limit of 50 μg kg−1 FW at biochar 4%, compost 4%, and frass 2% and 4% (with control being 62.5 μg kg−1 FW). We conclude that in heavily contaminated soils, although biochar, along with compost and frass, was not entirely unsuccessful, the tested amendments did not reduce satisfactorily toxic elements to sufficiently low levels both in soil and in the test plant (here, purslane) in order to achieve phytostabilization. However, further research is necessary to identify exact mechanisms and to elucidate the role of different biochars. Full article
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18 pages, 4712 KiB  
Article
Effects of Combined Application of Biochar and Different Types of Nitrogen Fertilizers on Rapeseed Root Growth and Properties of Purple Soil in Southwest China
by Biao Li, Xiaoqin Tian, Sai Zhang, Meichun Duan and Longchang Wang
Agronomy 2023, 13(9), 2209; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13092209 - 24 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 936
Abstract
To demonstrate the effects of combined application of biochar and different types of nitrogen fertilizers on the growth of plant roots and on purple soil properties such as soil nutrients, soil carbon content and soil respiration, a 206-day greenhouse pot experiment with rapeseed [...] Read more.
To demonstrate the effects of combined application of biochar and different types of nitrogen fertilizers on the growth of plant roots and on purple soil properties such as soil nutrients, soil carbon content and soil respiration, a 206-day greenhouse pot experiment with rapeseed was conducted. Three types of nitrogen fertilizer were used: urea (UR), controlled-release urea (RU), a mixture of 60% urea and 40% controlled-release urea (40% RU), and biochar was added at mass fractions of 0% (C0), 2% (C1) and 4% (C2), with a control treatment (CK) without nitrogen fertilizer and biochar. The results showed that biochar significantly improved soil nutrient status, with the best effect observed when 40%RU was co-applied with biochar. The addition of biochar significantly increased soil total organic carbon (TOC) and particulate organic carbon (POC). Soil respiration increased with increasing biochar application, and the combination of 2% biochar and 40% RU showed a reduction in carbon emissions compared to the UR and RU treatments. The number of rapeseed root tips (NT), forks (NF) and crossings (NC) increased significantly with the addition of biochar, and the combination of biochar and 40% RU was more beneficial for root growth and development than RU and UR. Considering the improvement in soil nutrition, increased soil organic carbon content, reduced carbon emissions, and enhanced rapeseed growth and development, the co-application of 2% biochar and 40% RU is recommended for large-scale application in rapeseed cultivation in the hilly purple soil of southwest China. Full article
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15 pages, 2783 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Soil Nitrogen Retention Capacity by Biochar Incorporation in the Acidic Soil of Pomelo Orchards: The Crucial Role of pH
by Xiaojie Qian, Qinghua Li, Hongmei Chen, Lin Zhao, Fei Wang, Yushu Zhang, Jinbo Zhang, Christoph Müller and Zhigang Yi
Agronomy 2023, 13(8), 2110; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13082110 - 11 Aug 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1282
Abstract
Biochar is commonly used to improve acidic soil and reduce nitrogen loss. However, the impact of biochar on soil nitrogen retention, especially at varying pH levels, is not fully understood. Soil samples were obtained from an acidic red soil citrus orchard. The soil [...] Read more.
Biochar is commonly used to improve acidic soil and reduce nitrogen loss. However, the impact of biochar on soil nitrogen retention, especially at varying pH levels, is not fully understood. Soil samples were obtained from an acidic red soil citrus orchard. The soil pH was adjusted using CaO, with five levels (4.0, 5.1, 5.8, 6.6, and 7.2), and two biochar doses (0% and 1%) were applied. The study used 15N-Tracer and Ntrace to investigate biochar’s influence on soil nitrogen retention at different pH levels. The results showed that soil amendment with biochar improved gross mineralization rates (TM) and gross NH4+ immobilization rates (TI), except at pH 4.0 for TI. Biochar enhanced heterotrophic nitrification (ONrec) within pH 4.0–7.4, with a threshold for autotrophic nitrification (ONH4) at pH 6.4. The findings revealed biochar’s positive effect on soil nitrogen retention within pH 4.5–6.4. Biochar had a greater impact on TI than TM and inhibited ONH4, potentially enhancing nitrogen retention in this pH range. These results highlight the significance of considering biochar incorporation for improving nitrogen use efficiency and reducing NO3-N loss in subtropical pomelo orchards. Full article
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13 pages, 2114 KiB  
Article
Different Functional and Taxonomic Composition of the Microbiome in the Rhizosphere of Two Purslane Genotypes
by Angel Carrascosa, Jose Antonio Pascual, Alvaro López-García, Maria Romo-Vaquero, Margarita Ros, Spyridon A. Petropoulos and Maria del Mar Alguacil
Agronomy 2023, 13(7), 1795; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13071795 - 04 Jul 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1008
Abstract
Soil microbial communities have an important role in plant establishment and health. Particularly, the role of the soil microbiome in agriculture is of current interest. The study of microbial communities associated with purslane could open questions about the rational exploitation of the microbiota [...] Read more.
Soil microbial communities have an important role in plant establishment and health. Particularly, the role of the soil microbiome in agriculture is of current interest. The study of microbial communities associated with purslane could open questions about the rational exploitation of the microbiota for sustainable agricultural purposes. In this study, the composition of the fungal and bacterial communities and the bacterial metabolic functions, associated with the rhizospheres of two purslane genotypes (one commercially available and one collected from the wild in Spain) were evaluated. The results showed a clear effect of purslane genotype on fungal and bacterial community composition and functional profiles. The bacterial community of the commercial purslane rhizosphere was characterized by more numerous metabolic pathways, mainly pathways related to Terpenoids and Polyketides, Carbohydrate, Lipid, and Amino Acid metabolism. By contrast, the rhizosphere bacterial community of the Spanish (wild) genotype was characterized by the enrichment of functions related to cellular processes such as cell motility and transport. We hypothesize that these differences could be due to differential effects of root exudate composition on the microbial functional community composition. This finding points out the need to consider differences in the functional characteristics of plant genotypes when selecting the beneficial microorganisms to be used as biofertilizers aiming to maximize plant growth and resistance to environmental stressors. Full article
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19 pages, 3977 KiB  
Article
Chemical Fertilization Alters Soil Carbon in Paddy Soil through the Interaction of Labile Organic Carbon and Phosphorus Fractions
by Suphathida Aumtong, Chakrit Chotamonsak, Paweenuch Pongwongkam and Kanchana Cantiya
Agronomy 2023, 13(6), 1588; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13061588 - 12 Jun 2023
Viewed by 1142
Abstract
The influence of long-term chemical fertilization in paddy soils is based on the interaction between labile carbon and phosphorus fractions and the manner in which this influences soil organic carbon (SOC). Four soil depths (0–30 cm) were analyzed in this study. Easily oxidized [...] Read more.
The influence of long-term chemical fertilization in paddy soils is based on the interaction between labile carbon and phosphorus fractions and the manner in which this influences soil organic carbon (SOC). Four soil depths (0–30 cm) were analyzed in this study. Easily oxidized organic carbon components, such as permanganate oxidized carbon (POXC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and other physicochemical soil factors were evaluated. The correlation and principal component analyses were used to examine the relationship between soil depth and the parameter dataset. The results showed that Fe-P concentrations were greater in the 0–5 cm soil layer. DOC, inorganic phosphate fraction, and other soil physiochemical characteristics interacted more strongly with SOC in the 0–5 cm soil layer, compared to interactions in the 10–15 cm layer, influencing soil acidity. An increase in DOC in the 0–5 cm soil layer had a considerable effect on lowering SOC, consistent with P being positively correlated with POXC, but negatively with SOC and water-soluble carbon (WSC). The changes in SOC could be attributed to the relationship between DOC and inorganic phosphate fractions (such as Fe-P) under specific soil pH conditions. An increase in soil DOC could be caused by changes in the P fraction and pH. The DOC:Avai. P ratio could serve as a compromise for the C and P dynamic indicators. The soil depth interval is a critical element that influences these interactions. Agricultural policy and decision-making may be influenced by the P from chemical fertilization practices, considering the yields and environmental effects. Full article
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15 pages, 304 KiB  
Article
Pine Chip and Poultry Litter Derived Biochars Affect C and N Dynamics in Two Georgia, USA, Ultisols
by Sharon L. Weyers, Keshav C. Das, Julia W. Gaskin and Amanda M. Liesch
Agronomy 2023, 13(2), 531; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13020531 - 12 Feb 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1110
Abstract
Some biochars produced by pyrolysis of biomass have the potential to sequester C and enhance nutrient supplies in agricultural soils. A 28-day lab incubation was used to assess the potential effects of biochars derived from pine chips (PC) or poultry litter (PL) applied [...] Read more.
Some biochars produced by pyrolysis of biomass have the potential to sequester C and enhance nutrient supplies in agricultural soils. A 28-day lab incubation was used to assess the potential effects of biochars derived from pine chips (PC) or poultry litter (PL) applied at five application rates (0, 22.5, 45.0, 67.5, and 90 Mg ha−1 equivalent). Biochars were applied to two acidic Ultisols, a Cecil sandy loam and a Tifton loamy sand, found in Georgia, USA. Cumulative basal soil respiration was measured over the 28-day incubation. Other soil properties measured before and after incubation were soil pH, total soil organic carbon (SOC), total soil N, soluble organic C (OC), soil mineral nitrogen (NH4+-N and NO3-N), and microbial biomass C (MBC). Before incubation, addition of both PC and PL biochars increased soil pH, total SOC, and C:N ratio in both soils. Addition of the PL biochar increased total soil N, soluble OC, and NO3-N in both soils, MBC in Tifton soil, and NH4+-N in Cecil soil. Addition of the PC biochar decreased NO3-N in Cecil soil but increased it in Tifton soil. After the 28-day incubation, averaged across soils, pH increased in the 22.5 Mg ha−1 PC and 22.5 and 67.5 Mg ha−1 PL treatments, total SOC declined in the 45 and 67.5 Mg ha−1 PC treatments, and the C:N increased in soil controls and decreased in the 67.5 Mg ha−1 PC treatment. In Cecil soil, the MBC declined in PL treatments except at 90 Mg ha−1, and NH4+-N declined in the 90 Mg ha−1 PC treatments. In Tifton soil, MBC increased in the 45 Mg ha−1 PL treatment, and NH4+-N increased in all but the 22.5 Mg ha−1 PL treatments. Total N and NO3-N did not change with incubation. Basal respiration was not affected by biochar, thought it was generally greater in Cecil than Tifton soil. Net SOC loss and the initial increase in soluble OC and MBC indicated potential C priming from adding both biochars. Increased NH4+-N with time in Tifton PL treatments indicated potential N priming. In Cecil soil, the PC biochar may have immobilized NH4+-N, but PL biochar likely supplied it. In Tifton soil, PC biochar appeared to be generally inert, but PL biochar supplied soluble OC and NH4+-N, although it might have inhibited nitrification. Full article
19 pages, 1341 KiB  
Article
Biochar-Compost Additions Have Strong Short-Term Effects on Carbon and Nitrogen Emissions from an Agricultural Soil
by Regine Maier, Gerhard Soja, Wolfgang Friesl-Hanl, Sophie Zechmeister-Boltenstern, Kerstin Michel, Michael Tatzber and Barbara Kitzler
Agronomy 2022, 12(12), 2959; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12122959 - 25 Nov 2022
Viewed by 3519
Abstract
Biochar (BC) application to agricultural soils has become a promising strategy for mitigation of soil-borne greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, i.e., carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O), but little is known about the effects on [...] Read more.
Biochar (BC) application to agricultural soils has become a promising strategy for mitigation of soil-borne greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, i.e., carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O), but little is known about the effects on nitric oxide (NO) and dinitrogen (N2) fluxes. We conducted a short-term field experiment to evaluate the effects of BC with compost and additional fertilizer on different soil GHG fluxes. Application of 1% BC-compost showed no significant effect on CH4 and CO2 fluxes but lowered NO and N2O fluxes compared to the control without BC-compost. The addition of N to BC-compost (0.5% BC-compost + 175 kg N) showed a small mitigation potential for CH4 whereas N2O and NO fluxes significantly increased for one week after the application. The N2:N2O ratio shifted towards N2O production after the application of N-enriched BC-compost. During storage of pure N-enriched BC-compost, high gaseous losses in the form of NO (71.2 ± 2 µg N g−1 h−1), N2O (1319 ± 101 µg N g−1 h−1), and N2 (337.8 ± 93 µg N g−1 h−1) were measured. Approximately 31% of applied N was lost in gaseous form even in the presence of BC. To avoid this, an optimized strategy to balance easily available N from compost and fertilizer with the amount of BC should be developed. Full article
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