Four-year residual impacts of single biochar application on soil fertility and microbial community structure in aeolian sandy soils of semi-arid Inner Mongolia.

ABSTRACT: Biochar (BC) application is widely recognized as a promising strategy for enhancing soil fertility; however, its lasting effects on microbial communities in aeolian sandy soils of semi-arid regions remain poorly understood. To fill this knowledge gap, we conducted a field experiment to evaluate long-term changes in soil properties and microbial community structure in a buckwheat cropping system, 4 years after a single application of biochar (BC) at rates of 0 (BC0), 20 (BC1), 40 (BC2), and 60 (BC3) Mg ha^-1 in aeolian sandy soils of Inner Mongolia, China. Results revealed significant improvements in soil pH, moisture content, organic carbon (SOC), and available nutrients, as well as microbial biomass and enzyme activity, particularly at higher BC application rates (BC2 and BC3).

SUBMITTER: Zhou L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12307304 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature