Publication detail

Assessing the potential of biochar aged by humic substances to enhance plant growth and soil biological activity

HAMMERSCHMIEDT, T. HOLAKO, J. PECINA, V. HUSKA, D. LÁTAL, O. KINTL, A. RADZIEMSKA, M. MUHAMMAD, S. GUSIATIN, Z.M. KOLACKOVA, M. NASIR, M. BALTAZAR, T. AHMED, N. BRTNICKÝ, M.

Original Title

Type

journal article in Web of Science

Language

English

Original Abstract

Background: Soil carbon-rich organic amendments (biochar, humic substances) may improve the quality and fertility of arable soil. Their co-application can additively enhance the beneficial effect on soil. Hypothetically, the pre-treatment of biochar, by aging via soaking in a solution of commercially available humic substances, could result in synergism, which may exceed the benefit from simple co-application of both amendments to the soil. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the impact of biochar, humic substances, the combination of both, and the impact of biochar aged by humic substances solution on soil microbial activities and plant growth in a short-term pot experiment with lettuce. Results: The aging of biochar decreased the C:N ratio as compared to non-activated biochar. The co-application of biochar and humic substances into the soil resulted in the highest microbial biomass carbon and respiration activity. The majority of enzyme activities (beta-glucosidase, arylsulfatase, N-acetyl-beta-d-glucosaminidase, phosphatase) were the highest in humic substances-amended soil. The application of humic substances and biochar with humic substances seemed to stimulate microbial growth and activity followed by the competition of microflora for nutrients with plants, whereas the aged biochar behaved differently. The plants treated by aged biochar achieved the highest values of dry aboveground and root biomass of all variants. However, the assumed rapid uptake of nutrients by plants resulted in lower nutrient availability for microflora, and a decline in microbial viability. Conclusions: Based on this study, the positive effect of co-applied humic substances and biochar on soil fertility, quality, and health can be concluded. The usability of biochar aging by humic solution requires further study. Graphic abstract

Keywords

Lactuca sativa; Enzyme activities; Plant biomass; Pot experiment; Soil organic matter; Soil amendment

Authors

HAMMERSCHMIEDT, T.; HOLAKO, J.; PECINA, V.; HUSKA, D.; LÁTAL, O.; KINTL, A.; RADZIEMSKA, M.; MUHAMMAD, S.; GUSIATIN, Z.M.; KOLACKOVA, M.; NASIR, M.; BALTAZAR, T.; AHMED, N.; BRTNICKÝ, M.

Released

8. 9. 2021

Publisher

SPRINGER

Location

NEW YORK

ISBN

2196-5641

Periodical

Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture

Year of study

Number

State

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Pages count

URL

https://chembioagro.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40538-021-00242-7

BibTex

@article{BUT187597,
  author="HAMMERSCHMIEDT, T. and HOLAKO, J. and PECINA, V. and HUSKA, D. and LÁTAL, O. and KINTL, A. and RADZIEMSKA, M. and MUHAMMAD, S. and GUSIATIN, Z.M. and KOLACKOVA, M. and NASIR, M. and BALTAZAR, T. and AHMED, N. and BRTNICKÝ, M.",
  title="Assessing the potential of biochar aged by humic substances to enhance plant growth and soil biological activity",
  journal="Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture",
  year="2021",
  volume="8",
  number="46",
  pages="12",
  doi="10.1186/s40538-021-00242-7",
  issn="2196-5641",
  url="https://chembioagro.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40538-021-00242-7"
}