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Special Issue "Biochar, Fertilizers and Microbes Interactions for Soil Health and Crop Productivity"

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 5 December 2023 | Viewed by 6650

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Spyridon Petropoulos

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Guest Editor

Department of Agriculture Crop Production and Rural Environment, University of Thessaly, 38221 Volos, Greece
Interests: vegetable production; fruit production; essential oils; bioactive compounds; antioxidant activity; polyphenols
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Vasileios Antoniadis

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Department of Agriculture Crop Production and Rural Environment, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
Interests: soil science; soil chemistry; heavy metals
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Dr. Maria Del Mar Alguacil

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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
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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

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agronomy is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

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 (6 papers)

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Research

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Combined Application of Biochar and Different Types of Nitrogen Fertilizers on Rapeseed Root Growth and Properties of Purple Soil in Southwest China

and

Agronomy 2023, 13(9), 2209; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13092209 - 24 Aug 2023

Viewed by 403

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 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

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biochar, Fertilizers and Microbes Interactions for Soil Health and Crop Productivity)

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Open AccessArticle

Enhancing Soil Nitrogen Retention Capacity by Biochar Incorporation in the Acidic Soil of Pomelo Orchards: The Crucial Role of pH

and

Agronomy 2023, 13(8), 2110; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13082110 - 11 Aug 2023

Viewed by 554

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 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 (O_Nrec) within pH 4.0–7.4, with a threshold for autotrophic nitrification (O_NH4) 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 O_NH4, 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

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biochar, Fertilizers and Microbes Interactions for Soil Health and Crop Productivity)

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Open AccessArticle

Different Functional and Taxonomic Composition of the Microbiome in the Rhizosphere of Two Purslane Genotypes

Spyridon A. Petropoulos

and

Maria del Mar Alguacil

Agronomy 2023, 13(7), 1795; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13071795 - 04 Jul 2023

Viewed by 593

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 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

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biochar, Fertilizers and Microbes Interactions for Soil Health and Crop Productivity)

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Open AccessArticle

Chemical Fertilization Alters Soil Carbon in Paddy Soil through the Interaction of Labile Organic Carbon and Phosphorus Fractions

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 622

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 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

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biochar, Fertilizers and Microbes Interactions for Soil Health and Crop Productivity)

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Open AccessArticle

Pine Chip and Poultry Litter Derived Biochars Affect C and N Dynamics in Two Georgia, USA, Ultisols

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Agronomy 2023, 13(2), 531; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13020531 - 12 Feb 2023

Viewed by 755

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 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

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biochar, Fertilizers and Microbes Interactions for Soil Health and Crop Productivity)

Open AccessArticle

Biochar-Compost Additions Have Strong Short-Term Effects on Carbon and Nitrogen Emissions from an Agricultural Soil

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 3109

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 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

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biochar, Fertilizers and Microbes Interactions for Soil Health and Crop Productivity)

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