Effects of biochar combined with the application of plant ash and effective microorganisms on the soil in the vegetable facility

Abstract In facility agriculture, soil barriers have led to severe soil quality degradation, making it crucial to take effective measures for soil improvement. This research focuses on exploring the impacts of biochar, plant ash, and Effective Microorganisms (EM) on the physical, chemical properties...

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Main Authors: Minhan Sun, Shuanxi Fan, Nan Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98684-8
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author Minhan Sun
Shuanxi Fan
Nan Zhang
author_facet Minhan Sun
Shuanxi Fan
Nan Zhang
author_sort Minhan Sun
collection DOAJ
description Abstract In facility agriculture, soil barriers have led to severe soil quality degradation, making it crucial to take effective measures for soil improvement. This research focuses on exploring the impacts of biochar, plant ash, and Effective Microorganisms (EM) on the physical, chemical properties, and nutrient levels of facility-agriculture soil, aiming to find a novel and efficient solution to address the soil-related issues. A field trial was carried out to assess the combined application of biochar, EM bacteria, and plant ash on soil properties. The experiment setup consisted of a blank control (CK) and six treatment groups (T1–T6) with different dosage gradients. The combined application of biochar, plant ash and EM bacteria significantly enhanced various soil properties. Specifically, the pH, soil bulk density, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium, organic matter, alkaline hydrolyzed nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium levels in facility-agriculture soil increased by 1.1-24.0%, 6.09-9.83%, 32.22-61.26%, 11.82-47.82%, 1.44-6.99%, 19.42-77.23%, 10.64-44.09%, 22.01-49.71%, and 14.11-93.64% respectively. The soil comprehensive fertility index (IFI) showed that this combined application could effectively improve the comprehensive soil fertility, with the T4 treatment (plant ash 3030 kg/hm2 + biochar 6060 kg/hm2 + EM bacteria 37.5:1) demonstrating the best improvement effect. The combined application of biochar, EM bacteria and plant ash can overcome the soil barriers in facility agriculture, mitigate soil acidification and nutrient disorders, promote nutrient supply, and enhance soil fertility. The study provides a practical and innovative approach to relieve the difficulties in facility vegetable cultivation, offering valuable insights for sustainable development in facility agriculture.
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spelling doaj-art-0569d60e72cd4e83aa2e73dbdf225e0e2025-08-20T04:02:56ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-05-0115111510.1038/s41598-025-98684-8Effects of biochar combined with the application of plant ash and effective microorganisms on the soil in the vegetable facilityMinhan Sun0Shuanxi Fan1Nan Zhang2School of Geographic and Environmental Sciences, Baoji University of Arts and SciencesSchool of Geographic and Environmental Sciences, Baoji University of Arts and SciencesSchool of Geographic and Environmental Sciences, Baoji University of Arts and SciencesAbstract In facility agriculture, soil barriers have led to severe soil quality degradation, making it crucial to take effective measures for soil improvement. This research focuses on exploring the impacts of biochar, plant ash, and Effective Microorganisms (EM) on the physical, chemical properties, and nutrient levels of facility-agriculture soil, aiming to find a novel and efficient solution to address the soil-related issues. A field trial was carried out to assess the combined application of biochar, EM bacteria, and plant ash on soil properties. The experiment setup consisted of a blank control (CK) and six treatment groups (T1–T6) with different dosage gradients. The combined application of biochar, plant ash and EM bacteria significantly enhanced various soil properties. Specifically, the pH, soil bulk density, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium, organic matter, alkaline hydrolyzed nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium levels in facility-agriculture soil increased by 1.1-24.0%, 6.09-9.83%, 32.22-61.26%, 11.82-47.82%, 1.44-6.99%, 19.42-77.23%, 10.64-44.09%, 22.01-49.71%, and 14.11-93.64% respectively. The soil comprehensive fertility index (IFI) showed that this combined application could effectively improve the comprehensive soil fertility, with the T4 treatment (plant ash 3030 kg/hm2 + biochar 6060 kg/hm2 + EM bacteria 37.5:1) demonstrating the best improvement effect. The combined application of biochar, EM bacteria and plant ash can overcome the soil barriers in facility agriculture, mitigate soil acidification and nutrient disorders, promote nutrient supply, and enhance soil fertility. The study provides a practical and innovative approach to relieve the difficulties in facility vegetable cultivation, offering valuable insights for sustainable development in facility agriculture.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98684-8Facility vegetableBiocharEMPlant AshSoil improvement
spellingShingle Minhan Sun
Shuanxi Fan
Nan Zhang
Effects of biochar combined with the application of plant ash and effective microorganisms on the soil in the vegetable facility
Scientific Reports
Facility vegetable
Biochar
EM
Plant Ash
Soil improvement
title Effects of biochar combined with the application of plant ash and effective microorganisms on the soil in the vegetable facility
title_full Effects of biochar combined with the application of plant ash and effective microorganisms on the soil in the vegetable facility
title_fullStr Effects of biochar combined with the application of plant ash and effective microorganisms on the soil in the vegetable facility
title_full_unstemmed Effects of biochar combined with the application of plant ash and effective microorganisms on the soil in the vegetable facility
title_short Effects of biochar combined with the application of plant ash and effective microorganisms on the soil in the vegetable facility
title_sort effects of biochar combined with the application of plant ash and effective microorganisms on the soil in the vegetable facility
topic Facility vegetable
Biochar
EM
Plant Ash
Soil improvement
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98684-8
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AT shuanxifan effectsofbiocharcombinedwiththeapplicationofplantashandeffectivemicroorganismsonthesoilinthevegetablefacility
AT nanzhang effectsofbiocharcombinedwiththeapplicationofplantashandeffectivemicroorganismsonthesoilinthevegetablefacility