Abstract
Phosphorus (P) availability is limited to crop plants especially in alkaline calcareous soils due to formation of various precipitates. In such soils, use of P solubilizing bacteria (PSB) along with suitable organic amendment such as biochar (BC) might be the possible solution to provide suitable P concentration to plants. Interactive effect of PSB, BC (0 and 2% w/w), and three application rates of P fertilizers (no fertilizer, half dose, full dose) on P availability and plant growth in a calcareous soil was investigated. The maize (Zea mays L.) seeds were primed with PSB in sugar solution and later sown in clay pots filled with soil (10 kg) and mixtures of BC and fertilizers. Three plants were maintained in each pot and grown for 45 days. Soil parameters such as soil pH, EC, nitrogen (N), and Olsen’s P concentrations were determined after harvesting the plants. The plant growth, biomass, P, and N concentrations in plants were also determined. The results depicted that the PSB-primed plants grown in biochar-amended soil supplied with half and full fertilizers showed maximum growth. No significant effect on the seed germination was observed, but the uptake of P was high in those plants where PSB and BC were applied as a cumulative treatment. Only PSB treatment also showed better results except in no fertilizer treatment as compared with PSB + BC + no fertilizer treatment where BC provided P. The plants yielded higher biomass with full fertilizer doses, but significant and maximum increments were observed in BC + PSB + full fertilizer treatment. Similarly, the uptake of N was high in BC treatment plants as compared with the PSB and control. The application of BC and inoculation of PSB can reduce the demand of fertilizer as well as can be proved as a natural conditioner that can sustain and improve the soil’s physical, chemical, and biological conditions. However, field investigations under different agroclimatic conditions are required before final recommendations.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abbas T, Rizwan M, Ali S, Adrees M, Mahmood A, Rehman MZ, Ibrahim M, Arshad M, Qayyum MF (2018) Biochar application increased the growth and yield and reduced cadmium in drought stressed wheat grown in an aged contaminated soil. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 148:825–833
Alburquerque JA, Cabello M, Avelino R, Barrón V, del Campillo MC, Torrent J (2015) Plant growth responses to biochar amendment of Mediterranean soils deficient in iron and phosphorus. J Plant Nutr Soil Sci 178:567–575. https://doi.org/10.1002/jpln.201400653
Ali S, Rizwan M, Qayyum MF, Ok YS, Ibrahim M, Riaz M, Arif MS, Hafeez F, Al-Wabel MI, Shahzad AN (2017) Biochar soil amendment on alleviation of drought and salt stress in plants: a critical review. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24:12700–12712
Azhar M, Rehman MZ, Ali S, Qayyum MF, Naeem A, Ayub MA, ul Haq MA, Iqbal A, Rizwan M (2019) Comparative effectiveness of different biochars and conventional organic materials on growth, photosynthesis and cadmium accumulation in cereals. Chemosphere 227:72–81
Bieleski RL (1973) Phosphate pools, phosphate transport, and phosphate availability. Annu Rev Plant Physiol 24:225–252. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.pp.24.060173.001301
Blackwell P, Krull E, Butler G, Herbert A, Solaiman Z (2010) Effect of banded biochar on dryland wheat production and fertiliser use in south-western Australia: an agronomic and economic perspective. Aust J Soil Res 48:531–545. https://doi.org/10.1071/SR10014
Chan KYY, Van Zwieten L, Meszaros I et al (2008) Using poultry litter biochars as soil amendments. Aust J Soil Res 46:437–444. https://doi.org/10.1071/SR08036
Cordell D, Rosemarin A, Schröder JJ, Smit AL (2011) Towards global phosphorus security: a systems framework for phosphorus recovery and reuse options. Chemosphere 84:747–758. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2011.02.032
Darrah PR (1993) The rhizosphere and plant nutrition: a quantitative approach. Plant Soil 155-156:1–20. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00024980
Glaser B, Lehmann J, Zech W (2002) Ameliorating physical and chemical properties of highly weathered soils in the tropics with charcoal - a review. Biol Fertil Soils 35:219–230. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-002-0466-4
He ZL, Bian W, Zhu J (2002) Screening and identification of microorganisms capable of utilizing phosphate adsorbed by goethite. Commun Soil Sci Plant Anal 33:647–663. https://doi.org/10.1081/CSS-120003057
Huang X-F, Chaparro JM, Reardon KF, Zhang R, Shen Q, Vivanco JM (2014) Rhizosphere interactions: root exudates, microbes, and microbial communities. Botany. 92:267–275. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjb-2013-0225
Jiang J, Xu RK, Jiang TY, Li Z (2012) Immobilization of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II) by the addition of rice straw derived biochar to a simulated polluted ultisol. J Hazard Mater 229–230:145–150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2012.05.086
Jones DL (1998) Organic acids in the rhizosphere – a critical review. Plant Soil 205:25–44
Kern J, Giani L, Teixeira W, Lanza G, Glaser B (2019) What can we learn from ancient fertile anthropic soil (Amazonian dark earths, shell mounds, Plaggen soil) for soil carbon sequestration? Catena 172:104–112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2018.08.008
Khan MS, Zaidi A, Wani PA (2009) Role of phosphate solubilizing microorganisms in sustainable agriculture - a review. In: Sustainable Agriculture
Khan MS, Zaidi A, Ahemad M, Oves M, Wani PA (2010) Plant growth promotion by phosphate solubilizing fungi – current perspective. Arch Agron Soil Sci 56:73–98. https://doi.org/10.1080/03650340902806469
Kimetu JM, Lehmann J (2010) Stability and stabilisation of biochar and green manure in soil with different organic carbon contents. Aust J Soil Res 48:577–585
Kochian LV (2012) Plant nutrition: rooting for more phosphorus. Nature 488:466–467
Lehmann J (2006) Black is the new green. Nature 442:624–626
Lehmann J, Rondon M (2006) Bio-char soil management on highly weathered soils in the humid tropics. In: Uphoff N (ed) Biological Approaches to Sustainable Soil Systems. CRC Press, pp 517–529
Liang B, Lehmann J, Solomon D, Kinyangi J, Grossman J, O'Neill B, Skjemstad JO, Thies J, Luizão FJ, Petersen J, Neves EG (2006) Black carbon increases Cation exchange capacity in soils. Soil Sci Soc Am J 70:1719–1730. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj2005.0383
Mclaughlin H (2010) Characterizing biochars prior to addition to soils – version I, Jan 2010. In: North America Biochar Conference. Boulder, pp 1–8
Mohammadi K (2012) Bacillus, mineralization, organic acids, soil phosphorus, solubilization, Pseudomonas; Bacillus, mineralization, organic acids, soil phosphorus, solubilization, Pseudomonas. Resour Environ 2:80–85. https://doi.org/10.5923/j.re.20120201.10
Murphy J, Riley JP (1962) A modified single solution method for the determination of phosphate in natural waters. Anal Chim Acta 27:31–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-2670(00)88444-5
Porder S, Ramachandran S (2013) The phosphorus concentration of common rocks-a potential driver of ecosystem P status. Plant Soil 367:41–55. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-012-1490-2
Qayyum MF, Steffens D, Reisenauer HP, Schubert S (2012) Kinetics of carbon mineralization of biochars compared with wheat straw in three soils. J Environ Qual 41:1210–1220. https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq2011.0058
Qayyum MF, Abid M, Danish S et al (2015) Effects of various biochars on seed germination and carbon mineralization in an alkaline soil. Pakistan J Agric Sci 51:977–982
Qayyum MF, Liaquat F, Rehman RA, Gul M, ul Hye MZ, Rizwan M, Rehaman MZ (2017) Effects of co-composting of farm manure and biochar on plant growth and carbon mineralization in an alkaline soil. Environ Sci Pollut Res 23:23551–23560. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-0227-4
Qayyum MF, Abdullah MA, Rizwan M, Haider G, Ali MA, Zafar-ul-Hye M, Abid M (2019) Different nitrogen and biochar sources’ application in an alkaline calcareous soil improved the maize yield and soil nitrogen retention. Arab J Geosci 12:664. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-019-4846-6
Rafique M, Sultan T, Ortas I, Chaudhary HJ (2017) Enhancement of maize plant growth with inoculation of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria and biochar amendment in soil. Soil Sci Plant Nutr 63:460–469. https://doi.org/10.1080/00380768.2017.1373599
Rafique M, Ortas I, Ahmed IA, Rizwan M, Afridi MS, Sultan T, Chaudhary HJ (2019) Potential impact of biochar types and microbial inoculants on growth of onion plant in differently textured and phosphorus limited soils. J Environ Manag 247:672–680
Rajkovich S, Enders A, Hanley K, Hyland C, Zimmerman AR, Lehmann J (2012) Corn growth and nitrogen nutrition after additions of biochars with varying properties to a temperate soil. Biol Fertil Soils 48:271–284. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-011-0624-7
Rashid A, Awan Z, Ryan J (2005) Diagnosing phosphorus deficiency in spring wheat by plant analysis: proposed critical concentration ranges. Commun Soil Sci Plant Anal 36:609–622
Rehman MZ, Khalid H, Akmal F, Ali S, Rizwan M, Qayyum MF, Iqbal M, Khalid MU, Azhar M (2017) Effect of limestone, lignite and biochar applied alone and combined on cadmium uptake in wheat and rice under rotation in an effluent irrigated field. Environ Pollut 227:560–568
Rehman RA, Rizwan M, Qayyum MF, Ali S, Zia-ur-Rehman M, Zafar-ul-Hye M, Hafeez F, Iqbal MF (2018) Efficiency of various sewage sludges and their biochars in improving selected soil properties and growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum). J Environ Manag 223:607–613. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.06.081
Rizwan M, Ali S, Qayyum MF, Ibrahim M, Rehman MZ, Abbas T, Ok YS (2016) Mechanisms of biochar-mediated alleviation of toxicity of trace elements in plants: a critical review. Environ Sci Pollut Res 23:2230–2248
Rondon MA, Lehmann J, Ramírez J, Hurtado M (2007) Biological nitrogen fixation by common beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) increases with bio-char additions. Biol Fertil Soils 43:699–708. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-006-0152-z
Samonin VV, Elikova EE (2004) A study of the adsorption of bacterial cells on porous materials. Microbiology. 73:696–701. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11021-005-0011-1
Schachtman DP, Reid RJ, Ayling SM (1998) Phosphorus uptake by plants: from soil to cell. Plant Physiol 116:447–453. https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.116.2.447
Schröder JJ, Smit AL, Cordell D, Rosemarin A (2011) Improved phosphorus use efficiency in agriculture : a key requirement for its sustainable use. Chemosphere 84:822–831. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2011.01.065
Solaiman ZM, Anawar HM (2015) Application of biochars for soil constraints : challenges and solutions. Pedosph An Int J 25:631–638. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1002-0160(15)30044-8
Steiner C, Teixeira WG, Lehmann J, Nehls T, de Macêdo JLV, Blum WEH, Zech W (2007) Long term effects of manure, charcoal and mineral fertilization on crop production and fertility on a highly weathered central Amazonian upland soil. Plant Soil 291:275–290. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-007-9193-9
Tao G-C, Tian S-J, Cai M-Y, Xie G-H (2008) Phosphate-solubilizing and -mineralizing abilities of Bacteria isolated from soils. Pedosphere 18:515–523. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1002-0160(08)60042-9
Topoliantz S, Ponge JF, Ballof S (2005) Manioc peel and charcoal: a potential organic amendment for sustainable soil fertility in the tropics. Biol Fertil Soils 41:15–21. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-004-0804-9
Umair M, Muhammad I-H, Muhammad S et al (2018) A brief review on plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR): a key role in plant growth promotion. Plant Prot 2:77–82
Vance CP, Uhde-Stone C, Allan DL (2003) Phosphorus acquisition and use: critical adaptations by plants for securing a nonrenewable resource. New Phytol 157:423–447. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1469-8137.2003.00695.x
Wei Y, Zhao Y, Wang H, Lu Q, Cao Z, Cui H, Zhu L, Wei Z (2016) An optimized regulating method for composting phosphorus fractions transformation based on biochar addition and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria inoculation. Bioresour Technol 221:139–146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2016.09.038
Yamato M, Okimori Y, Wibowo IF, Anshori S, Ogawa M (2006) Effects of the application of charred bark of Acacia mangium on the yield of maize, cowpea and peanut, and soil chemical properties in South Sumatra, Indonesia. Soil Sci Plant Nutr 52:489–495. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-0765.2006.00065.x
Zama EF, Reid BJ, Arp HPH, Sun GX, Yuan HY, Zhu YG (2018) Advances in research on the use of biochar in soil for remediation: a review. J. Soils Sediments 18:2433–2450
Zhu J, Li M, Whelan M (2018) Phosphorus activators contribute to legacy phosphorus availability in agricultural soils: a review. Sci Total Environ 612:522–537. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.08.095
Funding
The funding support from Higher Education Commission through National Research Program for Universities (NRPU, project No. 20-3935) is highly acknowledged.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding authors
Additional information
This article is part of the Topical Collection on Implications of Biochar Application to Soil Environment under Arid Conditions
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ali, M.A., Ajaz, M.M., Rizwan, M. et al. Effect of biochar and phosphate solubilizing bacteria on growth and phosphorus uptake by maize in an Aridisol. Arab J Geosci 13, 333 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-020-05326-6
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-020-05326-6