Research article

Co-application of biochar and phosphorus increases soil microbial biomass, mycorrhizal colonization, growth, and nutrition of subterranean clover

  • Received: 08 June 2024 Revised: 15 December 2024 Accepted: 06 January 2025 Published: 10 January 2025
  • Phosphorus (P) plays important roles in the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonization and rhizobium nodulation processes. Additionally, biochar's positive roles in mycorrhizal colonization and nodulation are articulated. However, the effect of the co-application of biochar and P on AM colonization and rhizobium nodulation was poorly studied. This study investigated the effect of the co-application of wheat straw biochar and P using soil columns on mycorrhizal colonization, nodulation, and the growth of subterranean clover. The soil was amended with wheat straw biochar at 0, 5, and 10 t ha−1 with different levels of P fertilizer at 0, 5, and 10 kg P ha−1. These studies showed that adding biochar at 5 t ha−1 along with mineral P fertilizer increased plant growth, mycorrhizal root colonization and nodulation, and P concentration in plants. In most cases, the increasing trend of the biomass yield was higher when biochar and the P fertilizer were applied together at a higher level (P10). These findings suggested that an increased biochar application rate can increase the subterranean clover growth in soil with either no (P0) or a lower P (P5) fertilizer application. Mycorrhizal colonization could help to improve the P supply and subsequently stimulate the root nodulation of leguminous plants.

    Citation: Zakaria M. Solaiman, Paul Blackwell, Muhammad Izhar Shafi, Nariman D. Salman, Paul Storer, Emre Babur. Co-application of biochar and phosphorus increases soil microbial biomass, mycorrhizal colonization, growth, and nutrition of subterranean clover[J]. AIMS Microbiology, 2025, 11(1): 59-73. doi: 10.3934/microbiol.2025004

    Related Papers:

  • Phosphorus (P) plays important roles in the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonization and rhizobium nodulation processes. Additionally, biochar's positive roles in mycorrhizal colonization and nodulation are articulated. However, the effect of the co-application of biochar and P on AM colonization and rhizobium nodulation was poorly studied. This study investigated the effect of the co-application of wheat straw biochar and P using soil columns on mycorrhizal colonization, nodulation, and the growth of subterranean clover. The soil was amended with wheat straw biochar at 0, 5, and 10 t ha−1 with different levels of P fertilizer at 0, 5, and 10 kg P ha−1. These studies showed that adding biochar at 5 t ha−1 along with mineral P fertilizer increased plant growth, mycorrhizal root colonization and nodulation, and P concentration in plants. In most cases, the increasing trend of the biomass yield was higher when biochar and the P fertilizer were applied together at a higher level (P10). These findings suggested that an increased biochar application rate can increase the subterranean clover growth in soil with either no (P0) or a lower P (P5) fertilizer application. Mycorrhizal colonization could help to improve the P supply and subsequently stimulate the root nodulation of leguminous plants.



    加载中

    Acknowledgments



    We thank UWA Soil Science's technical staff for analyzing soil and plant samples.

    Author contributions



    ZMS and PB conceived and designed this study. PB, ZMS and NDS performed the experiments, MIS did data analysis. MIS, PB and ZMS wrote the manuscript. ZMS, PS and EB revised the manuscript.

    Competing interests



    The authors declare no competing interests.

    Funding



    This research received no external funding.

    Data Availability Statement



    The data supporting the results and conclusions in this manuscript are included in the paper.

    [1] Garnett T, Appleby MC, Balmford A, et al. (2013) Sustainable intensification in agriculture: premises and policies. Science 341: 33-34. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1234485
    [2] Godfray HCJ, Garnett T (2014) Food security and sustainable intensification. Phil Tran Royal Soc B: Biol Sci 369: 20120273. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2012.0273
    [3] Sanchez PA (2002) Soil fertility and hunger in Africa. Science 295: 2019-2020. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1065256
    [4] Bah A, Husni MHA, Teh CBS, et al. (2014) Reducing runoff loss of applied nutrients in oil palm cultivation using controlled-release fertilizers. Adv Agric 2014: ID 285387. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/285387
    [5] Withers PJ, Clay SD, Breeze VG (2001) Phosphorus transfer in runoff following application of fertilizer, manure, and sewage sludge. J Environ Qual 30: 180-188. https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq2001.301180x
    [6] Glaser B, Lehmann J, Zech W (2002) Ameliorating physical and chemical properties of highly weathered soils in the tropics with charcoal–a review. Biol Fertil Soils 35: 219-230. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-002-0466-4
    [7] Chan KY, Zwieten L, Mészáros I, et al. (2008) Agronomic values of greenwaste biochar as a soil amendment. Soil Res 45: 629-634. https://doi.org/10.1071/SR07109
    [8] Lehmann J (2007) Bio-energy in the black. Front Ecol Environ 5: 381-387. https://doi.org/10.1890/1540-9295(2007)5[381:BITB]2.0.CO;2
    [9] Lehmann J (2007) A handful of carbon. Nature 447: 143e144. https://doi.org/10.1038/447143a
    [10] Solaiman ZM, Blackwell P, Abbott LK, et al. (2010) Direct and residual effect of biochar application on mycorrhizal root colonisation, growth and nutrition of wheat. Soil Res 48: 546-554. https://doi.org/10.1071/SR10002
    [11] Blackwell P, Krull E, Butler G, et al. (2010) Effect of banded biochar on dryland wheat production and fertiliser use in south-western Australia: an agronomic and economic perspective. Soil Res 48: 531-545. https://doi.org/10.1071/SR10014
    [12] Major J, Rondon M, Molina D, et al. (2010) Maize yield and nutrition during 4 years after biochar application to a Colombian savanna oxisol. Plant Soil 333: 117-128. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-010-0327-0
    [13] Steiner C, Teixeira WG, Lehmann J, et al. (2007) Long term effects of manure, charcoal and mineral fertilization on crop production and fertility on a highly weathered Central Amazonian upland soil. Plant Soil 291: 275-290. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-007-9193-9
    [14] Uzoma KC, Inoue M, Andry H, et al. (2011) Effect of cow manure biochar on maize productivity under sandy soil condition. Soil Use Manage 27: 205-212. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-2743.2011.00340.x
    [15] Brewer CE, Unger R, Schmidt-Rohr K, et al. (2011) Criteria to select biochars for field studies based on biochar chemical properties. Bioener Res 4: 312-323. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12155-011-9133-7
    [16] Meyer S, Glaser B, Quicker P (2011) Technical, economical, and climate-related aspects of biochar production technologies: a literature review. Environ Sci Technol 45: 9473-9483. https://doi.org/10.1021/es201792c
    [17] Libra JA, Ro KS, Kammann C, et al. (2011) Hydrothermal carbonization of biomass residuals: a comparative review of the chemistry, processes and applications of wet and dry pyrolysis. Biofuels 2: 71-106. https://doi.org/10.4155/bfs.10.81
    [18] Jeffery S, Verheijen FGA, van der Velde M, et al. (2011) A quantitative review of the effects of biochar application to soils on crop productivity using meta-analysis. Agric Ecosyst Environ 144: 175-187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2011.08.015
    [19] Biederman LA, Harpole WS (2013) Biochar and its effects on plant productivity and nutrient cycling: a meta-analysis. GCB Bioenergy 5: 202-214. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12037
    [20] Lehmann J, da Silva JP, Steiner C, et al. (2003) Nutrient availability and leaching in an archaeological Anthrosol and a Ferralsol of the Central Amazon basin: fertilizer, manure and charcoal amendments. Plant Soil 249: 343-357. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022833116184
    [21] Liang B, Lehmann J, Solomon D, et al. (2006) Black carbon increases cation exchange capacity in soils. Soil Sci Soc Am J 70: 1719-1730. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj2005.0383
    [22] Laird DA, Fleming P, Davis D, et al. (2010) Impact of biochar amendments on the quality of a typical Midwestern agricultural soil. Geoderma 158: 443-449. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2010.05.013
    [23] Rondon MA, Lehmann J, Ramírez J, et al. (2007) Biological nitrogen fixation by common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) increases with bio-char additions. Biol Fertil Soils 43: 699-708. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-006-0152-z
    [24] Chan K, Van Zwieten L, Meszaros I, et al. (2008) Using poultry litter biochars as soil amendments. Soil Res 46: 437-444. https://doi.org/10.1071/SR08036
    [25] Pietikäinen J, Kiikkilä O, Fritze H (2000) Charcoal as a habitat for microbes and its effect on the microbial community of the underlying humus. Oikos 89: 231-242. https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-0706.2000.890203.x
    [26] Lehmann J, Gaunt J, Rondon M (2006) Bio-char sequestration in terrestrial ecosystems–a review. Mitig Adapt Strateg Global Change 11: 403-427. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11027-005-9006-5
    [27] Gunarathne VS, Mayakaduwa, Vithanage M (2017) Biochar's influence as a soil amendment for essential plant nutrient uptake. Essential Plant Nutrients.Springer 47-67. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-58841-4_3
    [28] Isbell R (1996) The Australian soil classification. Melbourne, Vic: CSIRO Publishing.
    [29] Hewitt N (1998) Seed size and shade-tolerance: a comparative analysis of North American temperate trees. Oecologia 114: 432-440. https://doi.org/10.1007/s004420050467
    [30] Colwell JD (1963) The estimation of the phosphorus fertiliser requirements of wheat in southern New South Wales by soil analysis. Animal Prod Sci 3: 190-197. https://doi.org/10.1071/EA9630190
    [31] Condron LM, Moir JO, Tiessen H, et al. (1990) Critical evaluation of methods for determining total organic phosphorus in tropical soils. Soil Sci Soc Am J 54: 1261-1266. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1990.03615995005400050010x
    [32] Kouno K, Tuchiya Y, Ando T (1995) Measurement of soil microbial biomass phosphorus by an anion-exchange membrane method. Soil Biol Biochem 27: 1353-1357. https://doi.org/10.1016/0038-0717(95)00057-L
    [33] Murphy J, Riley JP (1962) A modified single solution method for the determination of phosphate in natural waters. Anal Chimica Acta 27: 31-36. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-2670(00)88444-5
    [34] Phillips JM, Hayman DS (1970) Improved procedures for clearing roots and staining parasitic and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for rapid assessment of infection. Tran Br Mycol Soc 55: 158-161. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0007-1536(70)80110-3
    [35] Tennant D (1975) Test of a modified line intersect method of estimating root length. J Ecol 63: 995-1001. https://doi.org/10.2307/2258617
    [36] Majewska ML, Rola K, Zubek S (2017) The growth and phosphorus acquisition of invasive plants Rudbeckia laciniata and Solidago gigantea are enhanced by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Mycorrhiza 27: 83-94. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00572-016-0729-9
    [37] Graber ER, Harel YM, Kolton M, et al. (2010) Biochar impact on development and productivity of pepper and tomato grown in fertigated soilless media. Plant Soil 337: 481-496. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-010-0544-6
    [38] Mia S, van Groenigen JW, van de Voorde TFJ, et al. (2014) Biochar application rate affects biological nitrogen fixation in red clover conditional on potassium availability. Agric Ecosyst Environ 191: 83-91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2014.03.011
    [39] Harel YM, Elad Y, Rav-David D, et al. (2012) Biochar mediates systemic response of strawberry to foliar fungal pathogens. Plant Soil 357: 245-257. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-012-1129-3
    [40] Mehari ZH, Elad Y, Rav-David D, et al. (2015) Induced systemic resistance in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) against Botrytis cinerea by biochar amendment involves jasmonic acid signaling. Plant Soil 395: 31-44. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-015-2445-1
    [41] Solaiman ZM, Abbott LK, Murphy DV (2019) Biochar phosphorus concentration dictates mycorrhizal colonisation, plant growth and soil phosphorus cycling. Sci Rep 9: 5062. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-41671-7
    [42] Warnock DD, Lehmann J, Kuyper TW, et al. (2007) Mycorrhizal responses to biochar in soil–concepts and mechanisms. Plant Soil 300: 9-20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-007-9391-5
    [43] Gul S, Whalen JK (2016) Biochemical cycling of nitrogen and phosphorus in biochar-amended soils. Soil Biol Biochem 103: 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2016.08.001
    [44] Blackwell P, Joseph S, Munroe P, et al. (2015) Influences of biochar and biochar-mineral complex on mycorrhizal colonisation and nutrition of wheat and sorghum. Pedosphere 25: 686-695. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1002-0160(15)30049-7
    [45] Mickan BS, Abbott LK, Stefanova K, et al. (2016) Interactions between biochar and mycorrhizal fungi in a water-stressed agricultural soil. Mycorrhiza 2016 26: 565-574. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00572-016-0693-4
    [46] Shen Z, Som AM, Wang F, et al. (2016) Long-term impact of biochar on the immobilisation of nickel (II) and zinc (II) and the revegetation of a contaminated site. SciTotal Environ 542: 771-776. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.10.057
    [47] Madiba OF, Solaiman ZM, Carson JK, et al. (2016) Biochar increases availability and uptake of phosphorus to wheat under leaching conditions. Biol Fertil Soils 52: 439-446. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-016-1099-3
    [48] Yamato M, Okimori Y, Wibowo IF, et al. (2006) Effects of the application of charred bark of Acacia mangium on the yield of maize, cowpea and peanut, and soil chemical properties in South Sumatra, Indonesia. Soil Sci Plant Nutr 52: 489-495. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-0765.2006.00065.x
  • Reader Comments
  • © 2025 the Author(s), licensee AIMS Press. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)
通讯作者: 陈斌, bchen63@163.com
  • 1. 

    沈阳化工大学材料科学与工程学院 沈阳 110142

  1. 本站搜索
  2. 百度学术搜索
  3. 万方数据库搜索
  4. CNKI搜索

Metrics

Article views(921) PDF downloads(61) Cited by(0)

Article outline

Figures and Tables

Figures(4)  /  Tables(3)

/

DownLoad:  Full-Size Img  PowerPoint
Return
Return

Catalog