" Assessing the impact of biochar on microbes in acidic soils: Alleviating the toxicity of aluminum and acidity"

Hao Xia; Muhammad Riaz; Saba Babar; Lei Yan; Yuxuan Li; Xiangling Wang; Jiyuan Wang; Cuncang Jiang

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118796

" Assessing the impact of biochar on microbes in acidic soils: Alleviating the toxicity of aluminum and acidity"

J Environ Manage. 2023 Nov 1:345:118796. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118796. Epub 2023 Aug 12.

Authors

Hao Xia¹, Muhammad Riaz², Saba Babar¹, Lei Yan¹, Yuxuan Li¹, Xiangling Wang³, Jiyuan Wang¹, Cuncang Jiang⁴

Affiliations

¹ Microelement Research Center, College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, PR China.
² College of Resources and Environment, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, PR China.
³ Microelement Research Center, College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, PR China; The Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecoagriculture, Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, 832000, PR China.
⁴ Microelement Research Center, College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, PR China; The Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecoagriculture, Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, 832000, PR China. Electronic address: jcc2000@mail.hzau.edu.cn.

PMID: 37579602
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118796

Abstract

In arable soils, anthropogenic activities such as fertilizer applications have intensified soil acidification in recent years. This has resulted in frequent environmental problems such as aluminum (Al) and H⁺ stress, which negatively impact crop yields and quality in acidic soils. Biochar, as a promising soil conditioner, has attracted much attention globally. The present study was conducted in a greenhouse by setting up 2% biochar rate to investigate how biochar relieves Al³⁺ hazards in acidic soil by affecting soil quality, soil environment, and soil microbiomes. The addition of biochar significantly improved soil fertility and enzyme activities, which were attributed to its ability to enhance the utilization of soil carbon sources by influencing the activity of soil microorganisms. Moreover, the Al³⁺ contents were significantly decreased by 66.61-88.83% compared to the C0 level (without biochar treatment). In particular, the results of the ²⁷Al NMR suggested that forms of Al^VI (Al(OH)²⁺, Al(OH)+ 2, and Al³⁺) were increased by 88.69-100.44% on the surface of biochar, reducing the Al³⁺ stress on soil health. The combination of biochar and nitrogen (N) fertilizer contributed to the augmentation of bacterial diversity. The application of biochar and N fertilizer increased the relative abundance of the majority of bacterial species. Additionally, the application of biochar and N fertilizer had a significant impact on soil microbial metabolism, specifically in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites (lipids and organic acids) and carbon metabolic ability. In conclusion, biochar can enhance soil microbial activity and improve the overall health of acidic soil by driving microbial metabolism. This study offers both theoretical and technical guidance for enhancing biochar in acidified soil and promoting sustainable development in farmland production.

Keywords: Acidic soil; Aluminum toxicity; Carbon source utilization capacity; Maize straw biochar; Metabolic capacity; Microbial diversity.

MeSH terms

Acids
Aluminum*
Carbon
Charcoal / chemistry
Fertilizers
Nitrogen / analysis
Soil* / chemistry

Substances

biochar
Soil
Aluminum
Fertilizers
Charcoal
Carbon
Acids
Nitrogen