Effect of biochar addition on soil microbial community in a wheat crop

Biochar is known to enhance soil fertility and C sequestration, but relatively little information is currently available about its effect on soil microbial community, a component of terrestrial ecosystems that plays a key role in nutrient cycling. This study tested the effects of soil amendment with two loads of wood-derived biochar (30 and 60 t ha(-1)) in a wheat crop in Tuscany (Italy). Soil samples were collected 3 and 14 months after treatments over two successive growing seasons, and analysed for pH, total organic C (C-org), extractable C (C-ext), microbial biomass-C (C-mic), 25 specific microbial activities, mean substrate-induced respiration (mSIR) for 25 substrates, functional microbial diversity and bacterial genetic diversity. No significant effect of biochar treatment was observed on C-org, C-ext, C-mic, microbial quotient (C-mic % C-org) or genetic diversity. An increase in mSIR, some specific microbial activities and soil pH, and a significant change in functional diversity were observed 3 months after treatment. In contrast, no effect of biochar was detected 14 months after treatment for the parameters considered, except for a small but significant increase in pH. Our data suggest that biochar addition stimulated soil microbial activity without causing any apparent disturbance, but this positive effect was very short-lived. (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.