AUTHOR=Rahman M. M. , Islam Md. Rafiqul , Uddin Shihab , Rahman Mohammad Mahmudur , Gaber Ahmed , Abdelhadi Abdelhadi A. , Jahangir M. M. R. 

TITLE=Biochar and Compost-Based Integrated Nutrient Management: Potential for Carbon and Microbial Enrichment in Degraded Acidic and Charland Soils

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Environmental Science

VOLUME=Volume 9 - 2021

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/environmental-science/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2021.798729

DOI=10.3389/fenvs.2021.798729

ISSN=2296-665X

ABSTRACT=Soil acidification and charland formation through alluvial sand depositions are emerging threats to food security in Bangladesh, in that they endanger crop production in about 35% of its territory. The integrated plant nutrient system (IPNS) is a globally accepted nutrient management approach designed to revive the damaged soils’ fertility level. Total organic carbon (TOC) in soil is a composite index of soil quality that has consequences for agricultural productivity and natural soil ecosystems. The present research was done to assess the impacts using biochar, compost, poultry litter, and vermicompost-based IPNS approaches on labile and TOC pools, TOC stocks, lability and management indices, and microbial population under different cropping patterns after two years in acidic and charland soils. The application of IPNS treatments raised microbial biomass carbon (MBC) by 9.1-50.0% in acidic soil and 8.8-41.2% in charland soil compared to the untreated soil, with the largest increase in poultry manure biochar (PMB). Microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN) increased from 20% to 180% in charland soil compared to the control although no effect was observed in acidic soil. Basal respiration (BR) rose by 43% to 429% in acidic soil and 16% to 189% in charland soil compared to the control, exhibiting the highest value in PMB. IPNS treatments significantly improved SOC and POC but did not affect POXc and bulk density in both soils. PMB and organic fertilizer (OF, compost)-based IPNS wielded the greatest influence on lability index of MBC in acidic soil and management index of MBC in both soils. This is despite the fact that IPNS did not affect the lability and management indices of active carbon (AC). IPNS treatments increased the stock of SOC and MBC in both the soils and POC stock in acidic soil. IPNS treatments significantly boosted the bacterial and fungal population in both soils although they had no effect on phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB). Thus, PMB and OF (compost)-based IPNS may be a better nutrient management practice in degraded acidic and charland soils. This is especially the case in terms of soil quality improvement, and soil carbon and microbial enrichment.