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Effects of biochar amendment and nitrogen fertilization on soil microbial biomass pools in an Alfisol under rain-fed rice cultivation

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Abstract

Field studies were conducted over 2 years to determine the response of soil microbial biomass pool to biochar and N fertilizer combinations in a rain-fed rice cropping system. Biochar was applied at four doses: 0 t ha−1, 3 t ha−1, 6 t ha−1 and 12 t ha−1 in combination with N fertilizer at four rates: 0 kg ha−1, 30 kg ha−1, 60 kg ha−1 and 90 kg ha−1 to a Typic Paleustalf Alfisol. Soil samples from two depths (0–10 and 10–20 cm) were collected to determine microbial biomass C (MBC), N (MBN), P (MBP), MBC/N ratio, MBC/P ratio, soil CO2 flux, microbial qCO2, cultivable bacterial and fungal abundance. Biochar and N fertilizer combination effects on MBC, MBN and MBP pools were dependent on biochar doses, N fertilizer rates and soil depth. MBC/N and MBC/P ratios were decreased after 2 years. Soil CO2 flux was maximum at post-seeding stage of rice plant, while decreasing trends occurred at active tillering and harvest stage. Increasing doses of biochar irrespective of its combination with N fertilizer rates decreased CO2 flux and microbial qCO2. Combinations of biochar and N fertilizer increased fungal/bacterial ratio and induced a shift to a more fungal-dominated population after 2 years. Our results suggest that combination of biochar doses (3–12 t ha−1) with N fertilizer rates had stimulatory effects on microbial biomass pools and activity with positive implications for organic carbon accumulation, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) retention in tropical soils.

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  1. Department of Agronomy, Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria

    Segun Oladele

  2. Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, Federal University of Technology Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

    Segun Oladele, Adebayo Adeyemo, Ajoke Adegaiye & Moses Awodun

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Oladele, S., Adeyemo, A., Adegaiye, A. et al. Effects of biochar amendment and nitrogen fertilization on soil microbial biomass pools in an Alfisol under rain-fed rice cultivation. Biochar 1, 163–176 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-019-00017-2

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