Soil Enzyme Activity Response under the Amendment of Different Types of Biochar

Biochar (BC) is a material that finds many applications in agriculture and environmental activities. The aim of the study was to define the influence of biochar produced from various organic materials: mellow compost (MC), stabilized municipal sewage sludge (MSS), pine sawdust (PS), sycamore sawdust (SS) and oak leaves (OL) on soil enzyme activity, as well as its relations with carbon and nitrogen content. After a 60-day incubation of soil and BC, the activity of dehydrogenases (DEH), catalase (CAT), alkaline (AlP) and acid (AcP) phosphatases was investigated. The basic parameters of soil were also determined: TOC, TN, DOM, pH in H2O, available phosphorus (AP). The highest AP content was obtained in the S + MSS, S + OL and S + MC variants. Enzyme activity was highest in soil with MSS BC, regardless of incubation time. After 60 days, the activity of soil enzymes was inhibited. The obtained results indicate that the response of enzymatic activity to biochar depends on the feedstock material and the incubation time. When using BC as an exogenous matter, it is necessary to determine the TOC/TN ratio. For the very wide range of this parameter, supplemental nitrogen fertilization or mixtures of different biochars should be applied.

Automated summary

This study investigated the influence of biochar produced from various organic materials on soil enzyme activity, and found that the response of enzymatic activity to biochar depends on the feedstock material and the incubation time. It is necessary to determine the TOC/TN ratio when using biochar, and additional nitrogen fertilization or mixtures of different biochars can be considered.