Effects of biochar on soil microbial diversity and community structure in clay soil

Abstract

Abstract Purpose We determined the microbial community diversity and structure in soil samples under different amounts of biochar added. Meanwhile, we also researched the relationships between soil microbial and soil physicochemical properties. Method In this study, a field experiment was set up, with a total of three experimental treatments: no biochar application, 10 t/m3 biochar application, and 20 t/m3 application. High-throughput sequencing technologies were used for soil samples of different treatment groups to understand soil microbial diversity and community structure. Results We found that the soil physicochemical properties after biochar addition were better than those without biochar addition, and the alpha diversity was higher in biochar addition level of 20 t/m3 than other processing groups. Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria, and Actinobacteria were the dominant phyla of this study. The dominant genera were Skermanella, Nostoc, Frankia, and Unclassified-p-protecbacteria. At the gate level, Actinobacteria had significant differences among the three groups with different addition amounts. The microbial community structure was mainly influenced by soil porosity, soil moisture content, nitrogen fertilizer, and potassium fertilizer other than soil phosphate fertilizer and organic matter. Conclusions The results suggested that changes under different amounts of biochar added generate changes in soil physicochemical properties and control the soil composition of microbial communities. This provides a new basis for soil improvement.