Biochar drives microbially-mediated rice production by increasing soil carbon

Qiong Nan; Cheng Wang; Hao Wang; Qianqian Yi; Biqing Liang; Jun Xu; Weixiang Wu

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.121680

Biochar drives microbially-mediated rice production by increasing soil carbon

J Hazard Mater. 2020 Apr 5:387:121680. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.121680. Epub 2019 Nov 13.

Authors

Qiong Nan¹, Cheng Wang², Hao Wang¹, Qianqian Yi¹, Biqing Liang³, Jun Xu⁴, Weixiang Wu⁵

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, College of Environment and Resource Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310029, PR China.
² Environmental Microbiomics Research Center, South China Sea Institution, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China.
³ National Cheng Kung University, Department of Earth Sciences, No. 1 University Rd., East District, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan.
⁴ Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology & Central Laboratory, Peking University People's Hospital, No.11, Xizhimen South Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100044, PR China.
⁵ Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, College of Environment and Resource Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310029, PR China. Electronic address: weixiang@zju.edu.cn.

PMID: 31818657
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.121680

Abstract

The effects of an on-site biomass (rice straw) equivalent biochar-returning strategy (RSC) on rice yield, soil nutrients and bacterial community composition were examined in a four-year field trial (2013-2016) conducted in a paddy field in south China. Three treatments were set up including annual on-site biomass return (RS, rice straw at 8 t ha^-1 yr^-1), annual on-site biomass equivalent biochar-return (RSC, rice straw biochar at 2.8 t ha^-1 yr^-1 with a 35 % carbonization rate) and control (CK, no rice straw or biochar added). Results showed that a low rate of biochar application (RSC) could significantly increase rice yield in four successive years. The increase in rice yield was mainly attributed to the increase in soil potassium and magnesium contents resulting from the presence of the unique surface functional groups of biochar. As a result of biochar amendment, soil bacterial cooperative relationships were improved in the RSC, compared to those in the RS treatment. Our study indicated that RSC might be promoted as a promising strategy to enhance rice productivity and soil fertility in a sustainable way.

Keywords: Biomass equivalent biochar; Nutrients; On-site; Rice yield; Soil bacterial community; Soil carbon.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Bacteria / metabolism*
Charcoal / metabolism*
Crop Production / methods*
Microbiota / physiology
Oryza / growth & development*
Soil / chemistry*
Soil Microbiology*

Substances

Soil
biochar
Charcoal