Soybean Yield Response of Biochar-Regulated Soil Properties and Root Growth Strategy

Abstract

Continuous cropping obstacles limit soybean production. Biochar is beneficial for soybean growth, but it is unclear whether biochar performs a sustainable role in continuous cropping. To further explore the effects of biochar on soil properties and soybean growth, a ceramic Wagner pot-simulated field experiment was conducted with biochar at different doses (12, 24, and 48 t·ha−1) over a period of 3 years, no fertilizer, no biochar (CK) and fertilizer (F)treatments were used for comparison. The results showed that biochar significantly reduced soil bulk and improved the rhizosphere soil pH, available nutrients (N, K), and total nutrients (C, N, P, and K) compared with CK and F. Moreover, the soybean root length, surface area, volume, and exudates increased with biochar amendment. In particular, biochar significantly increased the nodule number, dry weight, and nitrogenase activity of soybean. Furthermore, biochar promoted soybean growth and increased soybean yield. In general, we found that the soybean yield increased with biochar and that biochar had a positive, sustainable effect on soil properties and soybean root growth, providing a new cultivation measure for soil health and soybean production in continuous cropping, which is very important for increasing soybean productivity to break the limitations of soybean traditional continuous cultivation.