Effects of rice straw biochar application rates on soil aggregate biogeochemistry and linkages to microbial community structure and enzyme activities

IF 6.1 1区农林科学 Q1 SOIL SCIENCE

Soil & Tillage Research Pub Date : 2025-04-21 DOI:10.1016/j.still.2025.106589

Jiajun Wu , Zichuan Li , Yong Li , Jiawen Liu , Cheng Liu , Yanjun Chai , Chao Ai , Qaiser Hussain , Marios Drosos , Shengdao Shan

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Abstract

Biochar, a widely adopted soil amendment, has been widely recognized for its potential to improve crop yields and soil nutrients significantly. This enhancement is primarily attributed to the crucial role of soil microorganisms, whose contribution to soil fertility is significant and often underappreciated. However, the effects of varying biochar application rates on soil functional biota, particularly within aggregates that expand soil spatial heterogeneity, remain unclear. Understanding the relationship between nutrient dynamics and microbial community composition in these aggregates is essential for comprehending the intricate connections between soil microbiomes and related biogeochemical cycles. This study utilized long-term experimental soils, including treatments with no fertilizer, chemical fertilizer alone, and chemical fertilizer combined with rice straw biochar at gradient application rates (22.5, 45, 90 t·hm⁻²). The responses of microbial community structure and soil enzyme activities in whole soil and aggregates to different biochar application rates were investigated. Results showed that, compared to NPK treatment, biochar significantly increased bacterial and fungal diversity in macroaggregates. It also notably increased the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Ascomycota in soil and aggregates, and at the same time reduced the relative abundance of Chloroflexi and Basidiomycota. Furthermore, carbon and phosphorus cycle-related enzyme activities increased significantly with higher biochar application rates. However, the activity of NAG, a nitrogen cycle-related enzyme, decreased as biochar application increased. Mantel analysis revealed that the relationship between microorganisms, enzyme activity, and soil nutrients was closest at a biochar application rate of 45 t·hm⁻². Structural equation modeling demonstrated that macroaggregates exhibited the most complex nutrient accumulation relationships, with bacterial and fungal diversity promoting nutrient accumulation. In conclusion, moderate biochar application induced the most intricate and closely connected microbial networks in macroaggregates, promoting soil nutrient cycling.

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秸秆生物炭施用量对土壤团聚体生物地球化学的影响及其与微生物群落结构和酶活性的联系

生物炭是一种被广泛采用的土壤改良剂，因其显著提高作物产量和土壤养分的潜力而得到广泛认可。这种增强主要归因于土壤微生物的关键作用，它们对土壤肥力的贡献是显著的，但往往被低估。然而，不同生物炭施用量对土壤功能生物群的影响，特别是对扩大土壤空间异质性的团聚体的影响尚不清楚。了解这些团聚体中养分动态与微生物群落组成之间的关系，对于理解土壤微生物组与相关生物地球化学循环之间的复杂联系至关重要。本研究利用长期试验土壤，包括不施肥、单独施肥和化肥与水稻秸秆生物炭结合的梯度施肥量（22.5、45、90 t·hm−2）。研究了全土和团聚体微生物群落结构和土壤酶活性对不同生物炭施用量的响应。结果表明，与氮磷钾处理相比，生物炭显著提高了土壤中细菌和真菌的多样性。土壤和团聚体中变形菌门和子囊菌门的相对丰度显著增加，氯菌门和担子菌门的相对丰度显著降低。碳、磷循环相关酶活性随生物炭施用量的增加而显著增加。而氮循环相关酶NAG的活性随着生物炭用量的增加而降低。Mantel分析表明，生物炭施用量为45 t·hm−2时，微生物、酶活性和土壤养分之间的关系最为密切。结构方程模型表明，大团聚体表现出最复杂的养分积累关系，细菌和真菌的多样性促进了养分积累。综上所述，适度施用生物炭诱导了大团聚体中最复杂、联系最紧密的微生物网络，促进了土壤养分循环。

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来源期刊

Soil & Tillage Research 农林科学-土壤科学

CiteScore

13.00

自引率

6.20%

发文量

266

审稿时长

5 months

期刊介绍： Soil & Tillage Research examines the physical, chemical and biological changes in the soil caused by tillage and field traffic. Manuscripts will be considered on aspects of soil science, physics, technology, mechanization and applied engineering for a sustainable balance among productivity, environmental quality and profitability. The following are examples of suitable topics within the scope of the journal of Soil and Tillage Research: The agricultural and biosystems engineering associated with tillage (including no-tillage, reduced-tillage and direct drilling), irrigation and drainage, crops and crop rotations, fertilization, rehabilitation of mine spoils and processes used to modify soils. Soil change effects on establishment and yield of crops, growth of plants and roots, structure and erosion of soil, cycling of carbon and nutrients, greenhouse gas emissions, leaching, runoff and other processes that affect environmental quality. Characterization or modeling of tillage and field traffic responses, soil, climate, or topographic effects, soil deformation processes, tillage tools, traction devices, energy requirements, economics, surface and subsurface water quality effects, tillage effects on weed, pest and disease control, and their interactions.