Biochar and compost amendments alter the structure of the soil fungal network in a karst mountainous area

Abstract

The karst ecosystem is prone to degradation and this accounts for a large proportion of land degradation in southwestern China. In order to improve the nutrient status and microbial community structure of karst soil, the amendment method of combining biochar, compost, and chemical fertilizer l was explored. With CK as the control, M as manure compost, B as wood biochar, and F as chemical fertilizer, field trials were set up with eight treatments. The results showed that the biochar treatments led to higher fungal diversity and soil nutrient content than no-biochar treatments, and the compost treatments resulted in higher fungal diversity and soil nutrient content than no-compost treatments. Cluster and linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) analyses indicated that the composition and structure of the fungal community varied under different treatments; both the compost fungal network and biochar fungal network were more complex than their respective control networks. Soil carbon and nutrient fractions had significant effects on soil fungal networks. In short, the addition of both biochar and manure compost enlarged the complexity of microbial-related networks and enhanced the soil nutrient status, indicating that biochar-based fertilizer was beneficial in karst-degraded soil restoration.

Effects of Biochar-Based Fertilizers on Energy Characteristics and Growth of Black Locust Seedlings

“…At the same time of the pot experiment, we also carried out a field experiment of similar treatments in the karst mountain area of Guizhou (from 2016 to 2018). By analyzing the soil nutrient content and soil microbial community characteristics and other indicators, combined with a pot experiment, we found that the 4% biochar + MF treatment can play an important role in local soil health and vegetation restoration [4,28,56,57]. These data provide a scientific and theoretical basis for the development of biomass energy in karst areas of China.…”

Combination of Phytoextraction and Biochar Improves Available Potassium and Alters Microbial Community Structure in Soils

“…Meanwhile, the chemical properties of soil could affect the microbial community, and soil microorganisms would also affect its physical and chemical properties. Yan et al [17,18] confirmed that the increase in soil nutrient content could promote fungal diversity after biochar addition; correspondingly, the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) community composition was significantly impacted by soil chemical properties, such as TC, TN, TP, and AP. And it was found that the root microorganisms of S. salsa have a negative correlation with soil salinity and nutrients [19].…”

Biochar application ameliorated the nutrient content and fungal community structure in different yellow soil depths in the karst area of Southwest China

“…(2021) found that biochar could also indirectly affect the soil microbial activity, abundance, and diversity through nutrient uptake or improvement of soil properties. Furthermore, some studies similarly showed that the abundance of soil fungal communities increased with the increase of biochar application, and the effect of biochar on soil microbial diversity was closely related to the timing of biochar application ( Yao et al., 2017 ; Yan et al., 2022 ). Dong et al.…”

“…Tang et al (2021) found that biochar could also indirectly affect the soil microbial activity, abundance, and diversity through nutrient uptake or improvement of soil properties. Furthermore, some studies similarly showed that the abundance of soil fungal communities increased with the increase of biochar application, and the effect of biochar on soil microbial diversity was closely related to the timing of biochar application (Yao et al, 2017;Yan et al, 2022). Dong et al (2017) and Mitchell et al (2015) showed that the soil microbial community structure did not change when a small amount of biochar was applied to the soil, but it changed significantly when the amount of biochar reached a certain level, indicating that the amount of biochar applied also had a significant effect on the soil microbial community structure.…”