Effect of Biochar on Microorganisms Quantity and Soil Physicochemical Property in Rhizosphere of Spinach (<i>Spinacia oleracea</i> L.)

Abstract

To investigate the effects of biochar on greenhouse soil, three biochar treatments, i.e. 0 t ha-1 (C0), 12.5 t ha-1 (C1) and 25 t ha-1 (C2), were applied to the rhizosphere of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.). And the microbial biomass C (MBC), the quantities of the bacteria, fungi, actinomyces, ammonifying bacteria, azotobacter and denitrifying bacteria, pH, oxidation-reduction potential (Eh), and mineral nutrient content were studied. The results indicated that MBC contents with C2 and C1 treatments were significantly (P＜0.01) higher than those with C0 treatment, and the quantities of bacteria, fungi, actinomyces, ammonifying bacteria, azotobacter, and denitrifying bacteria under C1 treatment were 1.06 fold, 2.18 fold, 1.17 fold, 1.47 fold, 2.94 fold and 0.38 fold of those with C0 treatment in rhizosphere of spinach, while those with C2 treatment were 1.25 fold, 2.08 fold, 1.24 fold, 1.41 fold, 4.92 fold and 1.76 fold of those with C0 treatment. The total phosphorus, total carbon, total sulphur, total potassium content, carbon/nitrogen, and Eh with C2 and C1 treatments were higher than in those with C0 treatment. Our results suggest that biochar can be used as ameliorant to improve quantity of microorganisms and physical and chemical properties of greenhouse soil.

Improvement of Soil Ecosystem Multifunctionality by Dissipating Manure-Induced Antibiotics and Resistance Genes

“…It has been reported that the nutrient elements introduced from biochar to the soil promote the growth of ammonifying bacteria, significantly improving the ammonification function of the soil. 49 Nelissen et al 50 reported that biochar can promote the growth of nitrifying bacteria in the soil and accelerate the transformation of NH 4 + −N into NO 3 − −N, thus improving soil nitrification. In the present study, SEM for ryegrass showed that plant roots can improve EMF directly and indirectly through trace elements.…”

“…The improvement of soil EMF may be due to the growth of microorganisms in the rhizosphere soil. 49 The addition of biological carbon into the soil weakened the direct positive effect of the root system on EMF. This result may be because biochar and its chemical reactions in the soil environment generate substances that are harmful to certain microorganisms.…”

“…The porous and loose characteristics of biochar provide more space for the growth of soil bacteria. It has been reported that the nutrient elements introduced from biochar to the soil promote the growth of ammonifying bacteria, significantly improving the ammonification function of the soil . Nelissen et al reported that biochar can promote the growth of nitrifying bacteria in the soil and accelerate the transformation of NH 4 + –N into NO 3 – –N, thus improving soil nitrification.…”

“…In addition, the plant root system under the biochar–ryegrass treatment can directly accelerate the EMF improvement. The improvement of soil EMF may be due to the growth of microorganisms in the rhizosphere soil . The addition of biological carbon into the soil weakened the direct positive effect of the root system on EMF.…”

The potential for biochar application in “Shatangju” (Citrus reticulate cv.) orchard on acid red soil: Biochar prepared from its organic waste in an orchard

“…In this experiment, biochar amendments in pot and field tests significantly improved the soil pH value and organic matter contents (OMC), hydrolyzable alkali nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, exchangeable calcium, exchangeable magnesium, zinc, available boron and CEC. Many pot tests have found similar findings and analyzed the related reasons ( Kimetu and Lehmann, 2010 ; Gao et al., 2012 ; Han et al., 2012 ; Zhang et al., 2013a ; Zhang et al., 2013c ; Zhao et al., 2015 ; Zhu et al., 2015 ). However, there is not a complete design for the optimal amount of biochar.…”