EVALUATION OF THE INVESTMENT IN PLANT SYMBIOSIS WITH ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZA IN SOILS SUPPLEMENTED WITH DIFFERENT DOSES OF BIOCHAR

References: 17th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM 2017, www.sgem.org, SGEM2017 Conference Proceedings, ISBN 978-619-7408-05-8 / ISSN 1314-2704, 29 June - 5 July, 2017, Vol. 17, Issue 32, 241-246 pp, DOI: 10.5593/sgem2017/32/S13.032

ABSTRACT

Biochar is carbonized organic matter, which is prepared by pyrolysis and it content high amount of carbon. This material is currently very often mentioned in carbon sequestration and as an additive improving physicochemical and biological soil functions, especially soil aggregation, conductivity or pH. Thus biochar could be usefully toll for decreased erosion risk. The influence of biochar on soil microorganisms is still big question. Results of scientific work differ much. Problematic component of biochar is aromatics formed during pyrolysis of organic material and can be toxic to most of microorganisms. However, some representatives of microbial community can use them as a source of nutrients and energy. Thus, their contribution, together with oxidation, can lead to degradation of aromatic compounds over time. Anyway, this process can be very long lasting. In our experiment, we tried to accelerate these natural processes by means of a simple system (biochar inoculated by native soil microflora in aquatic environment). Afterwards, we compared the effect of conventional (fresh) biochar and our biochar activated on root colonisation of experimental plants by arbuscular fungi (AMF).

Keywords: Biochar, rhizosphere, arbuscular mycorrhiza, fungi, soil