ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Role of Coconut Shell Biochar on Soil Properties,
Microbial Diversity and Nitrogen Mineralization
in Tropical Latosol
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1
Environmental and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences;
Key Laboratory of Low-carbon Green Agriculture in Tropical Region of China
2
College of Agriculture, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, P. R. China
3
Department of Environmental Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
4
Department of Agriculture, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University,
Gopalganj 8100, Bangladesh
Submission date: 2023-07-25
Final revision date: 2023-10-10
Acceptance date: 2023-10-11
Online publication date: 2023-12-04
Corresponding author
Fengliang Zhao
Environmental and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences;
Key Laboratory of Low-carbon Green Agriculture in Tropical Region of China
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2024;33(2):1487-1496
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ABSTRACT
Biochar is a promising material to improve soil quality. Effects of coconut shell biochar on tropical
soil nitrogen mineralization and microbial community were less reported. The incubation experiment
was conducted to observe the required effects. Biochar rates in latosol were 0%, 1%, 2% and 5% (w/w),
respectively. Results showed: (1) soil pH and CEC improved with biochar rate; (2) urease activity was
increased at the lower biochar rate (<2%) but reduced at the 5% rate, while acid phosphatase activity was
not changed by biochar; (3) biochar addition reduced soil microbial diversity. The bacterial population
like Proteobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes, Planctomycetes, Verrucomicrobia and Bacteroidetes
enhanced by more biochar addition, while Actinobacteria and Chloroflexi were found less at the high
biochar rate. Fungal strains like Ascomycota decreased by biochar addition, but Basidiomycota and
Chytridiomycota increased at high biochar rates. Genus of Haematonectria, Chaetomium, Gibberella,
Aspergillus, Fusarium and Eupenicillium decreased effectively under biochar addition; (4) soil nitrogen
mineralization with biochar amendment was described well by the exponential model (R2>0.95,
P<0.01), but soil nitrogen mineralization potential was found to be less due to biochar application.
Thus, the addition of biochar derived from coconut shells had positive effects on soil characteristics,
microorganisms, and nitrogen mineralization.