Potential of biochar after the biological activation by native soil microflora

Abstract

Objective. Dehydrogenase activity after the biological activation of biochar by the native soil microorganisms was studied. The main aim was to improve biochar properties by activation and make it more friendly for the soil microflora. Materials and methods. The activation was reached by aerating with the soil solution for two weeks. No special inoculum of microorganisms was applied. The following treatments in four replicates were prepared: conventional raw biochar (BR), activated biochar (BA), mineral fertilizer DAM 390 (NF), and control (C). A statistical test for comparing treatments means (Fisher p≤0.05; program STATISTICA 12.0; StatSoft software Inc., Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA) was used. Results. Statistically significant differences in the dehydrogenase activity between the treatments BR, BA, and C were found. Application of mineral fertilizers had a negative effect and increasing of nitrogen leaching was observed. Conclusions. Activating of biochar is suitable metods for impove soil biota conition compared with convention biochar.

Keywords

• Biochar
• carbon
• dehydrogenase activity
• nitrogen
• soil microorganisms