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Hardwood Biochar Influences Calcareous Soil Physicochemical and Microbiological Status
Author(s) -
Ippolito J. A.,
Stromberger M. E.,
Lentz R. D.,
Dungan R. S.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq2013.08.0324
Subject(s) - biochar , calcareous , hardwood , environmental science , environmental chemistry , calcareous soils , chemistry , biology , ecology , botany , organic chemistry , pyrolysis
The effects of biochar application to calcareous soils are not well documented. In a laboratory incubation study, a hardwood‐based, fast pyrolysis biochar was applied (0, 1, 2, and 10% by weight) to a calcareous soil. Changes in soil chemistry, water content, microbial respiration, and microbial community structure were monitored over a 12‐mo period. Increasing the biochar application rate increased the water‐holding capacity of the soil–biochar blend, a trait that could be beneficial under water‐limited situations. Biochar application also caused an increase in plant‐available Fe and Mn, soil C content, soil respiration rates, and bacterial populations and a decrease in soil NO 3 –N concentration. Biochar rates of 2 and 10% altered the relative proportions of bacterial and fungal fatty acids and shifted the microbial community toward greater relative amounts of bacteria and fewer fungi. The ratio of fatty acid 19:0 cy to its precursor, 18:1ω7c, was higher in the 10% biochar rate soil than in all other soils, potentially indicating an environmental stress response. The 10% application rate of this particular biochar was extreme, causing the greatest change in microbial community structure, a physiological response to stress in Gram‐negative bacteria, and a drastic reduction in soil NO 3 –N (85–97% reduction compared with the control), all of which were sustained over time.