Journal of Soil and Plant Interactions
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Abstract: (214 Views)
Abstract
Abstract
Background and Objective: Calcareous soils are characterized by alkaline pH, low nutrient retention capacity, and phosphorus deficiency, which together result in low productivity. In this context, the application of modified biochar and phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) has been recognized as a promising strategy for improving soil fertility and phosphorus availability. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of biochar produced from green sugarcane harvest residues and its citric acid–modified form, with PSB inoculation, on the chemical and biochemical properties of a calcareous soil under sugarcane cultivation.
Methods: The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions in a factorial arrangement based on a completely randomized design. The experimental treatments included biochar prepared from green sugarcane residues at three levels: without biochar (control), unmodified or raw biochar, and biochar modified with citric acid, as well as inoculation of phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria into the soil at two levels: without bacteria (control) and bacterial inoculation.
Results: The results showed that the application of both unmodified and modified biochar significantly affected soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon (OC), and cation exchange capacity (CEC). In particular, the application of modified biochar significantly reduced soil pH by 0.38 units compared to the control. Moreover, both types of biochar significantly increased EC (by 45.96–64.52%), soil organic carbon (by 104.4–115.59%), and CEC (by 58.61–87.88%) compared to the control. The highest levels of available phosphorus, microbial biomass carbon, and dissolved organic carbon were observed in the combined treatment of modified biochar and PSB inoculation.
Conclusion: Overall, the findings suggest that the integrated application of citric acid-modified biochar and phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria is an effective strategy for improving the chemical and biochemical properties of calcareous soils and enhancing phosphorus availability.
Abstract
Background and Objective: Calcareous soils are characterized by alkaline pH, low nutrient retention capacity, and phosphorus deficiency, which together result in low productivity. In this context, the application of modified biochar and phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) has been recognized as a promising strategy for improving soil fertility and phosphorus availability. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of biochar produced from green sugarcane harvest residues and its citric acid–modified form, with PSB inoculation, on the chemical and biochemical properties of a calcareous soil under sugarcane cultivation.
Methods: The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions in a factorial arrangement based on a completely randomized design. The experimental treatments included biochar prepared from green sugarcane residues at three levels: without biochar (control), unmodified or raw biochar, and biochar modified with citric acid, as well as inoculation of phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria into the soil at two levels: without bacteria (control) and bacterial inoculation.
Results: The results showed that the application of both unmodified and modified biochar significantly affected soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon (OC), and cation exchange capacity (CEC). In particular, the application of modified biochar significantly reduced soil pH by 0.38 units compared to the control. Moreover, both types of biochar significantly increased EC (by 45.96–64.52%), soil organic carbon (by 104.4–115.59%), and CEC (by 58.61–87.88%) compared to the control. The highest levels of available phosphorus, microbial biomass carbon, and dissolved organic carbon were observed in the combined treatment of modified biochar and PSB inoculation.
Conclusion: Overall, the findings suggest that the integrated application of citric acid-modified biochar and phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria is an effective strategy for improving the chemical and biochemical properties of calcareous soils and enhancing phosphorus availability.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Soil health association with soil-plant interactions
Received: 2025/08/1 | Accepted: 2025/09/16 | Published: 2025/09/22
Received: 2025/08/1 | Accepted: 2025/09/16 | Published: 2025/09/22
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Journal of Soil and Plant Interactions by http://jspi.iut.ac.ir is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License which allows users to read, copy, distribute and make derivative works for non-commercial purposes from the material, as long as the author of the original work is cited properly.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License which allows users to read, copy, distribute and make derivative works for non-commercial purposes from the material, as long as the author of the original work is cited properly.
