Food and agricultural wastes-derived biochars in combination with mineral fertilizer as sustainable soil amendments to enhance soil microbiological activity, nutrient cycling and crop production

Abstract

The ever-increasing human population associated with high rate of waste generation may pose serious threats to soil ecosystem. Nevertheless, conversion of agricultural and food wastes to biochar has been shown as a beneficial approach in sustainable soil management. However, our understanding on how integration of biochar obtained from different wastes and mineral fertilizers impact soil microbiological indicators is limited. Therefore, in the present study the effects of agricultural (AB) and food waste derived (FWB) biochars with and without mineral fertilizer (MF) on crop growth and soil health indicators were compared in a pot experiment. In particular, the impacts of applied amendments on soil microbiological health indicators those related to microbial extracellular (C, N and P acquiring) enzymes, soil basal as well as different substrate induced respirations along with crop’s agronomic performance were explored. The results showed that compared to the control, the amendment with AB combined with MF enhanced the crop growth as revealed by higher above and below ground biomass accumulation. Moreover, both the biochars (FWB and AB) modified soil chemical properties (pH and electric conductivity) in the presence or absence of MF as compared to control. However, with the sole application of MF was most influential strategy to improve soil basal and arginin-induced respiration as well as most of the soil extracellular enzymes, those related to C, N and P cycling. Use of FWB resulted in enhanced urease activity. This suggested the role of MF and FWB in nutrient cycling and plant nutrition. Thus, integration of biochar and mineral fertilizers is recommended as an efficient and climate smart package for sustainable soil management and crop production.

Optimizing Drought Resilience in Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) Through Synergistic Actions of Drought-Tolerant Rhizobacterial Strains and Brassinosteroids Hormone Application: A Jar Trial Study

“…observed that there are other hormones such as cytokinins and gibberellic acid, which affect the root shape by increasing its length and development while reducing ethylene levels (Waidmann et al 2019) Additionally, Plazas et al (2019) found that the combination of PGPRs and BR s can improve soil hydration rate by playing a crucial signal between ecological conditions and roots as it has been presented in (Mustafa et al 2023). Hence, when Brassinosteroid is used in conjunction with rhizobacterial strains, plants absorb nutrients and more water from the soil; greatly increasing root absorption area without negative behavior (Mustafa et al 2022).…”

Přínosy a rizika využití kalů malých ČOV po zpracování kompostováním k produkci vybraných druhů zeleniny

“…formou přípravy biocharů, např. [38,39]. Při správném dávkování se jeví tyto postupy jako perspektivní jak z pohledu eliminace řady cizorodých látek (s využitím termických procesů), tak z pohledu obohacení půd organickou hmotou a nutrienty s postupným uvolňováním.…”

Biochar and Manure Co-Application Increases Rice Yield in Low Productive Acid Soil by Increasing Soil pH, Organic Carbon, and Nutrient Retention and Availability

“…On the one hand, biochar can stimulate the activity of enzymes such as urease and peroxidase, which promote the growth and activity of beneficial bacteria in the soil; in addition, biochar boosts microbial diversity and abundance and enhances the structure of the soil microbial community. By affecting microbial metabolic activities, which include the cycling and transformation processes of elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, biochar has the potential to affect crop development and soil nutrient availability [35]. The effects of biochar on soil respiration are complex, and the type and characteristics of the material can have varying effects on the activity of soil microbes that respire.…”