Improving the stability of black soil microbial communities through long-term application of biochar to optimize the characteristics of DOM components

Abstract Biochar has demonstrated to have ability to improve soil properties and boost plant productivity. However, the underlying mechanisms by which dissolved organic matter (DOM) fluorescent components and microbial communities in black soil regions contribute to plant productivity remain uncerta...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yu Hu, Yan Li, Kangmeng Liu, Chuanqi Shi, Wei Wang, Zhenguo Yang, Kuifeng Xu, Shuo Li, Yuxian Wang, Liang Jin, Dan Wei, Lilong Yan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-06-01
Series:Biochar
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-025-00473-z
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850119270757826560
author Yu Hu
Yan Li
Kangmeng Liu
Chuanqi Shi
Wei Wang
Zhenguo Yang
Kuifeng Xu
Shuo Li
Yuxian Wang
Liang Jin
Dan Wei
Lilong Yan
author_facet Yu Hu
Yan Li
Kangmeng Liu
Chuanqi Shi
Wei Wang
Zhenguo Yang
Kuifeng Xu
Shuo Li
Yuxian Wang
Liang Jin
Dan Wei
Lilong Yan
author_sort Yu Hu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Biochar has demonstrated to have ability to improve soil properties and boost plant productivity. However, the underlying mechanisms by which dissolved organic matter (DOM) fluorescent components and microbial communities in black soil regions contribute to plant productivity remain uncertain. To address this gap, a long-term field experiment was conducted in Northeastern China’s black soil region, investigating how varying biochar application rates (0, 15.75, 31.50, and 47.25 t ha⁻1) influence DOM fluorescence properties and the composition of soil microbial communities. Employing fluorescence excitation–emission matrix-parallel factor analysis (EEM-PARAFAC) and high-throughput sequencing, the research systematically analyzed how biochar amendments influence DOM composition, fluorescence properties, microbial diversity, and their interrelations. The findings demonstrated that biochar significantly modified DOM composition, increasing the proportions of protein-like and humic substances while enhancing its aromaticity and stability. A medium application rate (31.5 t ha⁻1) notably improved alpha- and beta-diversity within the soil microbial community, optimized a co-occurrence network dominated by Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria, and facilitated key DOM transformations and nutrient cycling. In contrast, a high biochar application rate (47.25 t ha⁻1) negatively impacted the stability of microbial communities. Structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed that biochar indirectly boosted crop yields by modulating DOM fluorescence and microbial community dynamics. The insights gained from this study provide practical guidance for optimizing biochar application rates, maximizing its benefits, and mitigating potential ecological risks in black soil systems. Graphical Abstract
format Article
id doaj-art-bc4606775160435f830b6e45c4cc24f0
institution OA Journals
issn 2524-7867
language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher Springer
record_format Article
series Biochar
spelling doaj-art-bc4606775160435f830b6e45c4cc24f02025-08-20T02:35:40ZengSpringerBiochar2524-78672025-06-017111610.1007/s42773-025-00473-zImproving the stability of black soil microbial communities through long-term application of biochar to optimize the characteristics of DOM componentsYu Hu0Yan Li1Kangmeng Liu2Chuanqi Shi3Wei Wang4Zhenguo Yang5Kuifeng Xu6Shuo Li7Yuxian Wang8Liang Jin9Dan Wei10Lilong Yan11School of Resources and Environment, Northeast Agricultural UniversityHeilongjiang Academy of Black Soil Conservation and UtilizationSchool of Resources and Environment, Northeast Agricultural UniversityHeilongjiang Province Key Laboratory of Cold Region Wetland Ecology and Environment Research, Harbin UniversityHeilongjiang Academy of Black Soil Conservation and UtilizationSchool of Resources and Environment, Northeast Agricultural UniversitySchool of Resources and Environment, Northeast Agricultural UniversityInstitute of Plant Nutrition, Resources and Environment, Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry SciencesQiqihar Branch of Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural SciencesInstitute of Plant Nutrition, Resources and Environment, Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry SciencesInstitute of Plant Nutrition, Resources and Environment, Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry SciencesSchool of Resources and Environment, Northeast Agricultural UniversityAbstract Biochar has demonstrated to have ability to improve soil properties and boost plant productivity. However, the underlying mechanisms by which dissolved organic matter (DOM) fluorescent components and microbial communities in black soil regions contribute to plant productivity remain uncertain. To address this gap, a long-term field experiment was conducted in Northeastern China’s black soil region, investigating how varying biochar application rates (0, 15.75, 31.50, and 47.25 t ha⁻1) influence DOM fluorescence properties and the composition of soil microbial communities. Employing fluorescence excitation–emission matrix-parallel factor analysis (EEM-PARAFAC) and high-throughput sequencing, the research systematically analyzed how biochar amendments influence DOM composition, fluorescence properties, microbial diversity, and their interrelations. The findings demonstrated that biochar significantly modified DOM composition, increasing the proportions of protein-like and humic substances while enhancing its aromaticity and stability. A medium application rate (31.5 t ha⁻1) notably improved alpha- and beta-diversity within the soil microbial community, optimized a co-occurrence network dominated by Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria, and facilitated key DOM transformations and nutrient cycling. In contrast, a high biochar application rate (47.25 t ha⁻1) negatively impacted the stability of microbial communities. Structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed that biochar indirectly boosted crop yields by modulating DOM fluorescence and microbial community dynamics. The insights gained from this study provide practical guidance for optimizing biochar application rates, maximizing its benefits, and mitigating potential ecological risks in black soil systems. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-025-00473-zBiocharBlack soilDOM fluorescent componentsSampling periodMicroplasticsNetwork analysis
spellingShingle Yu Hu
Yan Li
Kangmeng Liu
Chuanqi Shi
Wei Wang
Zhenguo Yang
Kuifeng Xu
Shuo Li
Yuxian Wang
Liang Jin
Dan Wei
Lilong Yan
Improving the stability of black soil microbial communities through long-term application of biochar to optimize the characteristics of DOM components
Biochar
Biochar
Black soil
DOM fluorescent components
Sampling period
Microplastics
Network analysis
title Improving the stability of black soil microbial communities through long-term application of biochar to optimize the characteristics of DOM components
title_full Improving the stability of black soil microbial communities through long-term application of biochar to optimize the characteristics of DOM components
title_fullStr Improving the stability of black soil microbial communities through long-term application of biochar to optimize the characteristics of DOM components
title_full_unstemmed Improving the stability of black soil microbial communities through long-term application of biochar to optimize the characteristics of DOM components
title_short Improving the stability of black soil microbial communities through long-term application of biochar to optimize the characteristics of DOM components
title_sort improving the stability of black soil microbial communities through long term application of biochar to optimize the characteristics of dom components
topic Biochar
Black soil
DOM fluorescent components
Sampling period
Microplastics
Network analysis
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-025-00473-z
work_keys_str_mv AT yuhu improvingthestabilityofblacksoilmicrobialcommunitiesthroughlongtermapplicationofbiochartooptimizethecharacteristicsofdomcomponents
AT yanli improvingthestabilityofblacksoilmicrobialcommunitiesthroughlongtermapplicationofbiochartooptimizethecharacteristicsofdomcomponents
AT kangmengliu improvingthestabilityofblacksoilmicrobialcommunitiesthroughlongtermapplicationofbiochartooptimizethecharacteristicsofdomcomponents
AT chuanqishi improvingthestabilityofblacksoilmicrobialcommunitiesthroughlongtermapplicationofbiochartooptimizethecharacteristicsofdomcomponents
AT weiwang improvingthestabilityofblacksoilmicrobialcommunitiesthroughlongtermapplicationofbiochartooptimizethecharacteristicsofdomcomponents
AT zhenguoyang improvingthestabilityofblacksoilmicrobialcommunitiesthroughlongtermapplicationofbiochartooptimizethecharacteristicsofdomcomponents
AT kuifengxu improvingthestabilityofblacksoilmicrobialcommunitiesthroughlongtermapplicationofbiochartooptimizethecharacteristicsofdomcomponents
AT shuoli improvingthestabilityofblacksoilmicrobialcommunitiesthroughlongtermapplicationofbiochartooptimizethecharacteristicsofdomcomponents
AT yuxianwang improvingthestabilityofblacksoilmicrobialcommunitiesthroughlongtermapplicationofbiochartooptimizethecharacteristicsofdomcomponents
AT liangjin improvingthestabilityofblacksoilmicrobialcommunitiesthroughlongtermapplicationofbiochartooptimizethecharacteristicsofdomcomponents
AT danwei improvingthestabilityofblacksoilmicrobialcommunitiesthroughlongtermapplicationofbiochartooptimizethecharacteristicsofdomcomponents
AT lilongyan improvingthestabilityofblacksoilmicrobialcommunitiesthroughlongtermapplicationofbiochartooptimizethecharacteristicsofdomcomponents