Effects of Organic Fertilizer and Biochar on Carbon Release and Microbial Communities in Saline–Alkaline Soil
Climate change and aridification have increased the risk of salinization and organic carbon loss in dryland soils. Enrichment using biochar and organic fertilizers has the potential to reduce salt toxicity and soil carbon loss. However, the effects of biochar and organic fertilizers on CO<sub>...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-08-01
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| Series: | Agronomy |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/9/1967 |
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| Summary: | Climate change and aridification have increased the risk of salinization and organic carbon loss in dryland soils. Enrichment using biochar and organic fertilizers has the potential to reduce salt toxicity and soil carbon loss. However, the effects of biochar and organic fertilizers on CO<sub>2</sub> and CH<sub>4</sub> emissions from saline soils in dryland areas, as well as their microbial mechanisms, remain unelucidated. To clarify these issues, we performed a 5-month incubation experiment on typical soda-type saline soil from the western part of the Songnen Plain using five treatments: control treatment (CK), 5% urea (U), straw + 5% urea (SU), straw + 5% urea + microbial agent (SUH), and straw + 5% urea + biochar (SUB). Compared with the SU treatment, the SUH and SUB treatments reduced cumulative CO<sub>2</sub> emissions by 14.85% and 35.19%, respectively. The addition of a microbiological agent to the SU treatment reduced the cumulative CH<sub>4</sub> emissions by 19.55%, whereas the addition of biochar to the SU treatment increased the cumulative CH<sub>4</sub> emissions by 4.12%. These additions also increased the relative abundances of <i>Proteobacteria</i>, <i>Planctomycetes</i>, and <i>Ascomycota.</i> Overall, the addition of biochar and organic fertilizer promoted CO<sub>2</sub> emissions and CH<sub>4</sub> uptake. This was mainly attributed to an improved soil gas diffusion rate due to the addition of organic materials and enhanced microbial stress due to soil salinity and alkalinity from the release of alkaline substances under closed-culture conditions. Our findings have positive implications for enhancing carbon storage in saline soils in arid regions. |
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| ISSN: | 2073-4395 |