Influence of biochar on soil biology in the charosphere

Weralupitiya, Chanusha; Gunarathne, Viraj; Keerthanan, S.; Rinklebe, Jörg; Biswas, Jayanta Kumar; Jayasanka, Jasintha; Vithanage, Meththika

doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-85343-9.00024-0

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 92 publications

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“…MBC was a quantifiable labile carbon component and was used to determine biological activity in soils (Weralupitiya et al, 2020). It showed that MBC contents under straw return treatment were higher than that of no straw return treatment (T. Wu et al., 2004).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Responses of labile organic carbon fractions and mineralized carbon to straw return combined with fertilizer application in the maize–Melilotus officinalis intercropping system

Zhao,

et al. 2024

Soil Science Soc of Amer J

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Mollisol is crucial for solving food security issues, but long‐term excessive application of chemical fertilizers has led to severe Mollisol degradation in Northeast China, especially a rapid decline in soil organic carbon (SOC). In context of the use of crop‐herbage intercropping and straw return as alternatives for some chemical fertilizers, it is important to understand how crop‐herbage intercropping and straw return combined with chemical fertilizers influence labile organic carbon (LOC) fractions that improve SOC. To address this, this study explored how the combined application of maize (Zea mays L.)–Melilotus officinalis intercropping, straw return, and chemical fertilizers affect LOC fractions and mineralized carbon (MC) from the perspective of physical property‐mediated pathways. Thus, a field experiment with six treatments was established in the Songnen Plain of Northeast China: (1) maize monoculture without chemical fertilizers and straw return (CK), (2) maize monoculture with chemical fertilizers and no straw return (CF), (3) maize monoculture with chemical fertilizers and straw return (CFS), (4) maize–M. officinalis intercropping and straw return combined with full application of chemical fertilizers (CFSM), (5) maize–M. officinalis intercropping and straw return combined with half application of chemical fertilizers (1/2CFSM), and (6) maize–M. officinalis intercropping and straw return without chemical fertilizers (SM). The CF and CFS groups had no effect on bulk density and porosity but reduced specific gravity. The CFSM group increased water contents, porosity, LOC fractions, SOC, MC, and CO2 release rate and decreased bulk density and specific gravity. Compared with the CF group, the 1/2CFSM group enhanced water contents, microbial biomass carbon, and water‐soluble organic carbon (WSOC) to 6.36%, 17.91%, and 11.6%, respectively. We found that maize–M. officinalis intercropping, straw return, and reducing chemical fertilizers application improved LOC fractions to increase SOC by positively affecting bulk density, specific gravity, and water contents. Further analysis indicated that WSOC was a key determinant of SOC and maize yields. These findings provide a strategy to increase SOC and rehabilitate degraded soils through crop‐herbage intercropping and straw return combined with reducing chemical fertilizers application, which will contribute to a sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Responses of labile organic carbon fractions and mineralized carbon to straw return combined with fertilizer application in the maize–Melilotus officinalis intercropping system

Zhao,

et al. 2024

Soil Science Soc of Amer J

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“…Again, low-temperature biochars with low aromaticity are good candidates because bacteria can utilize aliphatic moieties much easier than aromatic ones (Luo et al 2018;Zhong et al 2020). Stimulated microbial activities within the charosphere account for improved soil health within the rhizosphere, thus leading to an elevated plant biomass yield (Dissanayake et al 2022;Weralupitiya et al 2022).…”

Section: Biochar As a Soil Amendment Reducing Ghg Emissionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Role of biochar toward carbon neutrality

et al. 2023

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Carbon neutrality by the mid-twenty-first century is a grand challenge requiring technological innovations. Biochar, a traditional soil amendment which has been used for fertility improvement and contaminant remediation, has revealed new vitality in this context. In this review we highlight the huge potential of biochar application in different fields to mitigate as high as 2.56 × 109 t CO2e total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per year, accounting for 5.0% of the global GHG emissions. Soil applications of biochar as either a controlled-release fertilizer or an immobilization agent offer improved soil health while simultaneously suppressing the emissions of CH4 and N2O. Non-soil applications of biochar also contribute to carbon neutrality in unique ways. Firstly, biochar application as a ruminant feed decreases CH4 emissions via physical sorption and enhanced activities of methanotrophs. Secondly, biochar can be used as a green catalyst for biorefinery. Besides, biochar as an additive to Portland cement and low impact development (LID) infrastructure lowers the carbon footprint and builds resilience to climate change. Furthermore, biochar can be used as novel batteries and supercapacitors for energy storage purposes. Finally, the high CO2 adsorption capacity makes it possible for biochar being used as a sorbent for carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). We advocate that future research should further explore the effectiveness of biochar systems for climate change mitigation in large scale applications, and assess the economic and social viability of local biochar systems to combat climate change. Graphical Abstract

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