Application of biochar in soils with low organic carbon: effects on plant growth, bacterial abundance and diversity

摘要

Biochar is the product of thermal degradation of organic materials in the absence of air, and is distinguished from charcoal by its use as a soil amendant. There is evidence that application of biochar to soils with low carbon content improves soil fertility, especially by increasing pH, water holding capacity and nutrients retention with a beneficial effect on plant growth (Steinbeiss et al, 2009. Moreover is of great interest the use of biochar as an approach to climate change mitigation thanks to its recalcitrance against microbial degradation and thus on a slower return of terrestrial organic C as carbon dioxide (CO_2) to the atmosphere( Lehmanna et al 2011).