Sustainable strategies for enhancing soil carbon sequestration and their beneficial impacts on soil fertility: A comprehensive review

Abstract

Soil inoculation with beneficial microbes and biochar is increasingly popular as soil structures degrade and agricultural yields must be maintained with minimal synthetic inputs. While beneficial microorganisms, including plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), and biochar are used as supplements, their application in large-scale agriculture remains limited. The current development of inoculants focuses primarily on improving soil fertility and plant growth, with insufficient attention to their potential for altering soil carbon (C) dynamics. This review explores the current understanding of microbes and biochar-based approaches and the mechanisms by which they enhance soil carbon sequestration (SCS). It addresses the roles of biochar and microbes in acting as physical barriers to C loss, promoting stable soil aggregates, and influencing soil microbial communities. The review underscores the importance of long-term field experiments, standardized methodologies, and widespread implementation of biochar and microbes for SCS, highlighting their potential to enhance soil fertility and mitigate climate change. The proposed integration of biochar and microbes is presented as a promising strategy for generating and maintaining soil C stocks. This analysis is timely, considering the challenges to global agriculture posed by declining soil fertility and the need for more effective sustainable approaches.