Could Hydroinfiltrators Made with Biochar Modify the Soil Microbiome? A Strategy of Soil Nature-Based Solution for Smart Agriculture

Climate change negatively affects agriculture, causing desertification, salinisation, and drought. The biochar hydroinfiltrator (ES Patent No.: ES2793448 B2) is a device that increases the capture of rainwater or irrigation water for crops by increasing infiltration rates. Biochar, produced via biom...

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Main Authors: Azahara Navarro, Ana del Moral, Gabriel Delgado, Jesús Párraga, José Ángel Rufián, Raúl Rojano, Juan Manuel Martín-García
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/15/8503
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author Azahara Navarro
Ana del Moral
Gabriel Delgado
Jesús Párraga
José Ángel Rufián
Raúl Rojano
Juan Manuel Martín-García
author_facet Azahara Navarro
Ana del Moral
Gabriel Delgado
Jesús Párraga
José Ángel Rufián
Raúl Rojano
Juan Manuel Martín-García
author_sort Azahara Navarro
collection DOAJ
description Climate change negatively affects agriculture, causing desertification, salinisation, and drought. The biochar hydroinfiltrator (ES Patent No.: ES2793448 B2) is a device that increases the capture of rainwater or irrigation water for crops by increasing infiltration rates. Biochar, produced via biomass pyrolysis, has emerged as a promising agricultural amendment, as it helps to optimise moisture retention and improve soil structure, key aspects for boosting crop yields. There is growing interest in microorganisms’ plant-growth-promoting activity (PGP) by carrying out different activities considered growth promoters. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the use of a biochar hydroinfiltrator as a promoter of microbial activity when it is used in soil. Metagenomic analysis of soils with and without the device reveals that genera <i>Bacillus</i> and <i>Sphingomonas</i> became particularly enriched in soils with hydroinfiltrators. Also, in order to understand the interaction between the uses of biochar together with bacteria PGP, an in vitro test was carried out. Two microorganisms, previously selected for their characteristics as plant growth promoters, were inoculated in soils with and without biochar and they grew better after 15 to 30 days of inoculation, showing major CFU counts. This combined strategy—biochar hydroinfiltrator and PGP bacteria—offers an innovative, eco-friendly approach to sustainable agriculture, particularly under drought stress.
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institution Kabale University
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spelling doaj-art-fa71202d2f754b87b033264866b23dac2025-08-20T03:36:31ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-07-011515850310.3390/app15158503Could Hydroinfiltrators Made with Biochar Modify the Soil Microbiome? A Strategy of Soil Nature-Based Solution for Smart AgricultureAzahara Navarro0Ana del Moral1Gabriel Delgado2Jesús Párraga3José Ángel Rufián4Raúl Rojano5Juan Manuel Martín-García6Department of Soil Science, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, SpainDepartment of Microbiology, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, SpainDepartment of Soil Science, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, SpainDepartment of Soil Science, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, SpainDepartment of Nutrition and Bromatology, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, SpainDepartment of Soil Science, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, SpainDepartment of Soil Science, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, SpainClimate change negatively affects agriculture, causing desertification, salinisation, and drought. The biochar hydroinfiltrator (ES Patent No.: ES2793448 B2) is a device that increases the capture of rainwater or irrigation water for crops by increasing infiltration rates. Biochar, produced via biomass pyrolysis, has emerged as a promising agricultural amendment, as it helps to optimise moisture retention and improve soil structure, key aspects for boosting crop yields. There is growing interest in microorganisms’ plant-growth-promoting activity (PGP) by carrying out different activities considered growth promoters. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the use of a biochar hydroinfiltrator as a promoter of microbial activity when it is used in soil. Metagenomic analysis of soils with and without the device reveals that genera <i>Bacillus</i> and <i>Sphingomonas</i> became particularly enriched in soils with hydroinfiltrators. Also, in order to understand the interaction between the uses of biochar together with bacteria PGP, an in vitro test was carried out. Two microorganisms, previously selected for their characteristics as plant growth promoters, were inoculated in soils with and without biochar and they grew better after 15 to 30 days of inoculation, showing major CFU counts. This combined strategy—biochar hydroinfiltrator and PGP bacteria—offers an innovative, eco-friendly approach to sustainable agriculture, particularly under drought stress.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/15/8503PGP activitywater stressclimate changesalinity<i>Bacillus cabrialesii</i><i>Pseudomonas neuropathica</i>
spellingShingle Azahara Navarro
Ana del Moral
Gabriel Delgado
Jesús Párraga
José Ángel Rufián
Raúl Rojano
Juan Manuel Martín-García
Could Hydroinfiltrators Made with Biochar Modify the Soil Microbiome? A Strategy of Soil Nature-Based Solution for Smart Agriculture
Applied Sciences
PGP activity
water stress
climate change
salinity
<i>Bacillus cabrialesii</i>
<i>Pseudomonas neuropathica</i>
title Could Hydroinfiltrators Made with Biochar Modify the Soil Microbiome? A Strategy of Soil Nature-Based Solution for Smart Agriculture
title_full Could Hydroinfiltrators Made with Biochar Modify the Soil Microbiome? A Strategy of Soil Nature-Based Solution for Smart Agriculture
title_fullStr Could Hydroinfiltrators Made with Biochar Modify the Soil Microbiome? A Strategy of Soil Nature-Based Solution for Smart Agriculture
title_full_unstemmed Could Hydroinfiltrators Made with Biochar Modify the Soil Microbiome? A Strategy of Soil Nature-Based Solution for Smart Agriculture
title_short Could Hydroinfiltrators Made with Biochar Modify the Soil Microbiome? A Strategy of Soil Nature-Based Solution for Smart Agriculture
title_sort could hydroinfiltrators made with biochar modify the soil microbiome a strategy of soil nature based solution for smart agriculture
topic PGP activity
water stress
climate change
salinity
<i>Bacillus cabrialesii</i>
<i>Pseudomonas neuropathica</i>
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/15/8503
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