Biochar application to soils can regulate soil phosphorus availability: a review

Abstract Phosphorus (P) is essential for basic natural processes and can limit the productivity of entire ecosystems. However, agricultural lands worldwide currently suffer from P deficiency. The application of P fertilizers is not only poorly utilized, but also results in the gradual accumulation o...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Lixin Zhang, Lei Chang, Huijia Liu, María de Jesús Puy Alquiza, Yuefen Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-01-01
Series:Biochar
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-024-00415-1
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1832594487194419200
author Lixin Zhang
Lei Chang
Huijia Liu
María de Jesús Puy Alquiza
Yuefen Li
author_facet Lixin Zhang
Lei Chang
Huijia Liu
María de Jesús Puy Alquiza
Yuefen Li
author_sort Lixin Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Phosphorus (P) is essential for basic natural processes and can limit the productivity of entire ecosystems. However, agricultural lands worldwide currently suffer from P deficiency. The application of P fertilizers is not only poorly utilized, but also results in the gradual accumulation of P. Biochar, a substance produced by the pyrolysis of biomass under low oxygen levels, is frequently used as a soil amendment. It provides P in a form that is readily available for plant uptake, and thus addresses both short- and long-term soil P deficiencies. In this paper, we systematically reviewed relevant studies on “biochar and soil” or “biochar and soil P” published in the past decade (2013–2023). A synthesis of the reported results revealed that analyzing the effect of biochar on soil P through changes in soil physicochemical properties and microbial communities has gradually emerged as a prominent area of research in recent years. The purpose of this study was to analyze the differential effects of biochar addition on soil P availability, including the clarification of the underlying mechanisms. The results showed that although biochar application generally exerts a positive effect on soil P availability, there are differences in the extent of effects based on application conditions. Shifting to mechanisms, biochar application not only directly increases the available phosphorus (AP) content of soil, but also indirectly influences soil P availability via changes in soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. To summarize, biochar application can affect soil P availability to different degrees through direct or indirect pathways. Graphical Abstract
format Article
id doaj-art-76cab3dc4bc44e459acd466ef9ba596c
institution Kabale University
issn 2524-7867
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher Springer
record_format Article
series Biochar
spelling doaj-art-76cab3dc4bc44e459acd466ef9ba596c2025-01-19T12:34:06ZengSpringerBiochar2524-78672025-01-017112010.1007/s42773-024-00415-1Biochar application to soils can regulate soil phosphorus availability: a reviewLixin Zhang0Lei Chang1Huijia Liu2María de Jesús Puy Alquiza3Yuefen Li4College of Earth Sciences, Jilin UniversityCollege of Earth Sciences, Jilin UniversityCollege of Earth Sciences, Jilin UniversityDepartment of Mine, Metallurgy and Geology Engineering, University of GuanajuatoCollege of Earth Sciences, Jilin UniversityAbstract Phosphorus (P) is essential for basic natural processes and can limit the productivity of entire ecosystems. However, agricultural lands worldwide currently suffer from P deficiency. The application of P fertilizers is not only poorly utilized, but also results in the gradual accumulation of P. Biochar, a substance produced by the pyrolysis of biomass under low oxygen levels, is frequently used as a soil amendment. It provides P in a form that is readily available for plant uptake, and thus addresses both short- and long-term soil P deficiencies. In this paper, we systematically reviewed relevant studies on “biochar and soil” or “biochar and soil P” published in the past decade (2013–2023). A synthesis of the reported results revealed that analyzing the effect of biochar on soil P through changes in soil physicochemical properties and microbial communities has gradually emerged as a prominent area of research in recent years. The purpose of this study was to analyze the differential effects of biochar addition on soil P availability, including the clarification of the underlying mechanisms. The results showed that although biochar application generally exerts a positive effect on soil P availability, there are differences in the extent of effects based on application conditions. Shifting to mechanisms, biochar application not only directly increases the available phosphorus (AP) content of soil, but also indirectly influences soil P availability via changes in soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. To summarize, biochar application can affect soil P availability to different degrees through direct or indirect pathways. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-024-00415-1BiocharSoil available phosphorusAdsorption and desorptionNutrient cyclingMechanism analysis
spellingShingle Lixin Zhang
Lei Chang
Huijia Liu
María de Jesús Puy Alquiza
Yuefen Li
Biochar application to soils can regulate soil phosphorus availability: a review
Biochar
Biochar
Soil available phosphorus
Adsorption and desorption
Nutrient cycling
Mechanism analysis
title Biochar application to soils can regulate soil phosphorus availability: a review
title_full Biochar application to soils can regulate soil phosphorus availability: a review
title_fullStr Biochar application to soils can regulate soil phosphorus availability: a review
title_full_unstemmed Biochar application to soils can regulate soil phosphorus availability: a review
title_short Biochar application to soils can regulate soil phosphorus availability: a review
title_sort biochar application to soils can regulate soil phosphorus availability a review
topic Biochar
Soil available phosphorus
Adsorption and desorption
Nutrient cycling
Mechanism analysis
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-024-00415-1
work_keys_str_mv AT lixinzhang biocharapplicationtosoilscanregulatesoilphosphorusavailabilityareview
AT leichang biocharapplicationtosoilscanregulatesoilphosphorusavailabilityareview
AT huijialiu biocharapplicationtosoilscanregulatesoilphosphorusavailabilityareview
AT mariadejesuspuyalquiza biocharapplicationtosoilscanregulatesoilphosphorusavailabilityareview
AT yuefenli biocharapplicationtosoilscanregulatesoilphosphorusavailabilityareview