Research Abstract
Reducing the reliance on hazardous agrochemicals (i.e., chemical fertilizers) that damage agro-ecosystems represents great
challenges in modern agriculture. Sulfur-enriched biochar derived from organic wastes in the presence of sulfur-oxidizing
bacteria could be a promising alternative to inorganic phosphorus fertilizers for sustainable P use in highly calcareous soils.
This incubation experiment examined the impacts of applying a mixture of bone-wood chips biochar and sulfur at different rates
with sulfur-oxidizing bacteria as well as incubation periods on availability and fraction changes of P in high P-fixing soil as
calcareous sandy soil. In this study, 100 g air-dried soil was placed in plastic jars. It contains 3 treatments: control is unamended
soil, soil amended with 0.25 g of biochar amendment jar−1, and soil amended with 0.50 g of biochar amendment jar−1. Soil in all
treatments was inoculated by sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (Thiobacillus spp.). The results revealed that applying biochar amendment
improved significantly phosphorus availability compared with control. Olsen-P increased with increasing incubating periods for
bone char treatments and control. The value of Olsen-P was highest when 0.25 g and 0.50 g of biochar amendments jar−1 were
added (32 and 34 mg kg−1, respectively) and the lowest in the control treatment (29 mg kg−1). Applying biochar amendments to
calcareous sandy soil significantly enhanced labile P and P associated with calcium fractions compared to control. Based on those
obtained results, using sulfur-enriched biochar in calcareous sandy soil is beneficial because it can be a slow-release fertilizer, has
a low cost, and is a clean alternative to mineral phosphate fertilizers.
Research Journal
Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition
Research Member
Research Publisher
Springer
Research Website
https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-021-00500-5
Research Year
2021