Biochar and manure co-application improves soil health and rice productivity through microbial modulation
Abstract Individual applications of biochar (B) or organic manure (M) have been reported to improve soil fertility and plant performance. Their synergistic effects on paddy soil physicochemical properties, microbial communities, and rice productivity remain under explored. This study investigated th...
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BMC
2025-07-01
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| Series: | BMC Plant Biology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-06834-x |
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| author | Niyaz Ali Qiang Jiang Kashif Akhtar Ruihong Luo Mingguo Jiang Bing He Ronghui Wen |
| author_facet | Niyaz Ali Qiang Jiang Kashif Akhtar Ruihong Luo Mingguo Jiang Bing He Ronghui Wen |
| author_sort | Niyaz Ali |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Individual applications of biochar (B) or organic manure (M) have been reported to improve soil fertility and plant performance. Their synergistic effects on paddy soil physicochemical properties, microbial communities, and rice productivity remain under explored. This study investigated the effects of B (20 t ha− 1), M (15 t ha− 1), and their combined application (BM, 10 + 7.5 t ha− 1) on soil physicochemical properties, microbial communities, rice plant growth and yield. Our findings revealed that B, M, and BM significantly improved soil physicochemical properties compared to control (CK). BM enhanced total nitrogen and available phosphorus by 34% and 26%, respectively, compared to CK. Soil pH, soil organic carbon, available nitrogen, and available potassium showed higher values in all treatments compared to the CK, with no significant differences among B, M, or their combined applications. Chlorophyll a, b, plant growth, dry matter and yield attributes showed the trend of BM > M > B > CK. These changes were attributed to the enhancement of beneficial soil bacteria, including Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidota in the BM treatment. Individual biochar treatment reduced Chloroflexi and Firmicutes but increased Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria. In contrast, individual manure application enhanced Firmicutes and Nitrospirota. Among fungal communities, Chaetomium and Pinnularia showed higher relative abundances in the combined treatment, playing roles in organic matter decomposition and plant growth, respectively. We conclude that the integrated use of biochar and manure enhances rice performance primarily by fostering a soil microbiome conducive to nutrient cycling and plant growth. Combined B + M application is therefore recommended as a sustainable strategy for improving paddy soil quality and crop yield. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e4b6c4dbeac4488e876bf8eda7964aeb |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2229 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Plant Biology |
| spelling | doaj-art-e4b6c4dbeac4488e876bf8eda7964aeb2025-08-20T03:46:08ZengBMCBMC Plant Biology1471-22292025-07-0125111710.1186/s12870-025-06834-xBiochar and manure co-application improves soil health and rice productivity through microbial modulationNiyaz Ali0Qiang Jiang1Kashif Akhtar2Ruihong Luo3Mingguo Jiang4Bing He5Ronghui Wen6State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi UniversityGuangxi Baise Modern Agriculture Technology Research and Extension Centre, Management Committee of Baise National Agricultural Science and Technology Zone of GuangxiState Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi UniversityInstitute of Horticulture, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural SciencesSchool of Marine Sciences and Biotechnology, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Polysaccharide Materials and Modifications, Guangxi Minzu UniversityGuangxi Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment and Agric-Products Safety, College of Agriculture, Guangxi UniversityState Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi UniversityAbstract Individual applications of biochar (B) or organic manure (M) have been reported to improve soil fertility and plant performance. Their synergistic effects on paddy soil physicochemical properties, microbial communities, and rice productivity remain under explored. This study investigated the effects of B (20 t ha− 1), M (15 t ha− 1), and their combined application (BM, 10 + 7.5 t ha− 1) on soil physicochemical properties, microbial communities, rice plant growth and yield. Our findings revealed that B, M, and BM significantly improved soil physicochemical properties compared to control (CK). BM enhanced total nitrogen and available phosphorus by 34% and 26%, respectively, compared to CK. Soil pH, soil organic carbon, available nitrogen, and available potassium showed higher values in all treatments compared to the CK, with no significant differences among B, M, or their combined applications. Chlorophyll a, b, plant growth, dry matter and yield attributes showed the trend of BM > M > B > CK. These changes were attributed to the enhancement of beneficial soil bacteria, including Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidota in the BM treatment. Individual biochar treatment reduced Chloroflexi and Firmicutes but increased Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria. In contrast, individual manure application enhanced Firmicutes and Nitrospirota. Among fungal communities, Chaetomium and Pinnularia showed higher relative abundances in the combined treatment, playing roles in organic matter decomposition and plant growth, respectively. We conclude that the integrated use of biochar and manure enhances rice performance primarily by fostering a soil microbiome conducive to nutrient cycling and plant growth. Combined B + M application is therefore recommended as a sustainable strategy for improving paddy soil quality and crop yield.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-06834-xBiocharManureSoil physicochemical propertiesSoil microbesPaddy field |
| spellingShingle | Niyaz Ali Qiang Jiang Kashif Akhtar Ruihong Luo Mingguo Jiang Bing He Ronghui Wen Biochar and manure co-application improves soil health and rice productivity through microbial modulation BMC Plant Biology Biochar Manure Soil physicochemical properties Soil microbes Paddy field |
| title | Biochar and manure co-application improves soil health and rice productivity through microbial modulation |
| title_full | Biochar and manure co-application improves soil health and rice productivity through microbial modulation |
| title_fullStr | Biochar and manure co-application improves soil health and rice productivity through microbial modulation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Biochar and manure co-application improves soil health and rice productivity through microbial modulation |
| title_short | Biochar and manure co-application improves soil health and rice productivity through microbial modulation |
| title_sort | biochar and manure co application improves soil health and rice productivity through microbial modulation |
| topic | Biochar Manure Soil physicochemical properties Soil microbes Paddy field |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-06834-x |
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