Interactions between Biochar and Soil Microorganisms
Subject Areas : Optimal management of water and soil resources
1 - Assistant Professor of Natural Resources Management Research Department, Dryland Agricultural Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Maragheh, Iran.
Keywords: Carbon cycle, Soil fertility, Soil biological activity, Pyrolysis,
Abstract :
Background and Aim: Climate changes and soil degradation are among the most critical global challenges of the present era, adversely affecting food security. Within this context, the health of the soil microbial community, as key players in biogeochemical cycles, plays an undeniable role in maintaining the functionality and fertility of soil ecosystems. Iran's soils, due to their location in arid and semi-arid regions, suffer from low organic matter content and poor biological health, which increasingly highlights the necessity for innovative solutions to improve these conditions. Biochar, as a carbon-based soil amendment, effectively enhances soil biological activities due to its unique structural and chemical properties. The objective of this review study is to investigate and analyze the key mechanisms governing the interactions between biochar and soil microorganisms.
Method: This comprehensive narrative review was conducted through a systematic search of scientific databases, including Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science, using keywords such as "biochar," "soil microorganisms," "microbial community," and "soil health." The primary focus was on selecting articles published between 2000 and 2024 concerning the interactions between biochar and soil microorganisms. The collected sources were analyzed to identify, synthesize, and discuss the physical, chemical, and biological mechanisms associated with the interactions between biochar and soil microorganisms.
Results: Review findings indicate that biochar not only provides a secure and stable habitat for beneficial soil microorganisms, including mycorrhizal fungi, plant growth-promoting bacteria, and organic decomposers, but also supplies their nutritional and oxygen requirements. Furthermore, biochar influences the population, diversity, distribution, and function of soil microorganisms through direct and indirect effects on soil physical (e.g., porosity and permeability) and chemical properties (e.g., pH and cation exchange capacity), as well as indirect effects from altered resource availability. Other important mechanisms of biochar include the gradual release of essential nutrients, detoxification of toxic compounds through adsorption, enhancement of plant-microbial symbioses, and facilitation of biogeochemical cycles of elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus. However, depending on the feedstock (e.g., agricultural waste, animal manure, or forestry residues) and production conditions (e.g., pyrolysis temperature and heating rate), biochar may contain certain toxic compounds, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals, which can have adverse effects on soil microorganisms, plant health, and even the human food chain. Therefore, the effectiveness of biochar depends on multidimensional factors, including production temperature (300-700°C), feedstock type (lignocellulosic or proteinaceous), residence time in the soil, and soil characteristics such as texture, moisture, pH, and microbial community composition.
Conclusion: Given biochar's positive role in enhancing soil fertility, improving water retention, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, its use is highly recommended, especially in arid and semi-arid regions with low organic matter content and salinity issues. Nevertheless, further investigation into its limiting effects (such as reduced availability of certain micronutrients) and potential risks from its toxic compounds in the long term, as well as field studies to optimize application rates and methods under different climatic conditions, are deemed essential.
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