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Mechanisms of straw biochar’s improvement of phosphorus bioavailability in soda saline-alkali soil

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Abstract

High pH and exchangeable sodium percentage, structural deterioration due to alkalinity, and nutrient deficiencies are typical characteristics of soda saline-alkali soil. In addition, phosphorus is typically the main limiting nutrient. Thus, there have been intense efforts to counter the salinity and improve the phosphorus availability of these soils (which cover large and growing areas). A promising approach is long-term application of straw biochar, which can significantly reduce soil salinity and promote the transformation of soil phosphorus. However, the mechanisms involved remain unclear. Thus, major aims of this review are to systematically address the mechanisms whereby biochar improves phosphorus bioavailability in soda saline-alkali soil through changes in the soil’s physico-chemical properties, aggregate stability, contents of organic acids, enzyme activities, key functional genes, and microbial community structure. Another is to provide theoretical foundations for establishing effective methods for applying straw biochar to improve soda saline-alkali land and optimize phosphorus fertilizer applications.

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We declare on behalf that the work described here is original research that has not been published previously, in whole or in part.

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Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant no. 42177447), the Science and Technology Development Plan Project of Jilin Province (grant no. 20210203010SF), and the Natural Science Foundation of Jilin Province, China (grant no. 20210101395JC).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Earth Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130061, China

    Yuefen Li & Guanghui Li

  2. Key Laboratory of Mineral Resources Evaluation in Northeast Asia, Ministry of Land and Resources, Changchun, 130061, China

    Yuefen Li

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  1. Yuefen Li
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  2. Guanghui Li
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Contributions

Yuefen Li and Guanghui Li: writing & editing of the manuscript; Yuefen Li: review and editing of the manuscript, and funding acquisition; all authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Yuefen Li.

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Responsible editor Zhihong Xu.

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Highlights

• Phosphorus availability in saline-alkali soils is low.

• Appropriate biochar application can counter adverse effects of salinity and alkalinity.

• Biochar addition can enhance phosphorus cycling in soil ecosystems.

• It can also enhance soils’ micro-ecological conditions.

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Li, Y., Li, G. Mechanisms of straw biochar’s improvement of phosphorus bioavailability in soda saline-alkali soil. Environ Sci Pollut Res 29, 47867–47872 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-20489-3

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