Abstract
We aimed to determine the relationship between biochar properties and colonisation of roots by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in agricultural soil. We used a range of biochars that differed in pH, water holding capacity, C, N and P concentrations to investigate interactions between biochar and AM fungi. A glasshouse experiment was conducted with subterranean clover and wheat, amended separately with 34 sources of biochar (applied at 1% w/w), to investigate potential responses in a phosphorus (P) deficient agricultural soil. Plant growth responses to biochar ranged from positive to negative and were dependent on biochar P concentration, available soil P and AM root colonisation. The higher the nutrient P concentration in biochar, the lower was AM colonisation. Growth responses of wheat and clover to the application of various biochars were mostly positive, and their growth was correlated, but biochar contributions to soil fertility varied with biochar properties. When nutrient concentrations are higher in biochars, especially for P and N, plants can gain access to nutrients via the plant roots and mycorrhizal hyphae. Thus biochar amendments can increase both plant nutrient uptake and crop production in nutrient deficient soil.
Highlights
Biochars are by-products of the pyrolysis process of burning biomass from either plant or animal origin heated (>250 °C) in a low or nil oxygen environment[1]
It is expected that the nature and extent of response to soil amendment with biochar will depend on the feedstock used to make the biochar and that this will be associated with variation in biochar physical characteristics such as pore sizes[24,29], ash content and chemical characteristics[30]
The aim was to determine the effects of biochar on plant growth and some aspects of soil fertility which could depend on interactions between biochar and indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi present in the agricultural soil used
Summary
Biochars are by-products of the pyrolysis process of burning biomass from either plant or animal origin heated (>250 °C) in a low or nil oxygen environment[1]. Plant responses to application of biochars to soil range from increased to the decreased colonisation of roots by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi depending on P and nitrogen (N) concentrations in the biochars[13,14,15,16,17]. The aim was to determine the effects of biochar on plant growth and some aspects of soil fertility which could depend on interactions between biochar and indigenous AM fungi present in the agricultural soil used. It compared biochar effects on mycorrhizal colonisation, plant growth, and P nutrition of subterranean clover and wheat when applied to P-deficient agricultural soil. We tested the hypothesis that the higher P concentration in biochar will reduce mycorrhizal colonisation in roots of both subterranean clover and wheat by a naturally occurring community of AM fungi in the agricultural soil
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