Effects of biochar and chicken manure organic fertilizer application on soil aggregates and organic carbon in poplar plantation in Northen Jiangsu

JIN Xuan; WANG Guobing; LIN Yuqing; WANG Qian; CHEN Dongqin

doi:10.12302/j.issn.1000-2006.202510021

JIN Xuan, WANG Guobing, LIN Yuqing, WANG Qian, CHEN Dongqin

Journal of Nanjing Forestry University (Natural Sciences Edition） ›› 0

PDF(2340 KB)

Journal of Nanjing Forestry University (Natural Sciences Edition） ›› 0 DOI: 10.12302/j.issn.1000-2006.202510021

Effects of biochar and chicken manure organic fertilizer application on soil aggregates and organic carbon in poplar plantation in Northen Jiangsu

JIN Xuan¹, WANG Guobing^1,2,*, LIN Yuqing¹, WANG Qian¹, CHEN Dongqin¹

Author information +

History +

Abstract

【Objective】This study aims to investigate the effects of biochar and chicken manure organic fertilizer application on soil aggregates and organic carbon in poplar plantations, elucidate the influencing laws and mechanisms driving the changes in soil organic carbon and its fractions, and provide support for the synergistic improvement of plantation productivity and carbon sequestration and sink enhancement capacity.【Methods】A field experiment was conducted in a poplar plantation in northern Jiangsu Province with four treatments: control (CK), single application of biochar (B), single application of chicken manure organic fertilizer (O), and combined application of biochar and chicken manure organic fertilizer (BO). The effects of different treatments on the mass proportion of soil aggregates in different size classes, the organic carbon content of each aggregate fraction and its contribution to total soil organic carbon were analyzed. The contents of soil organic carbon (SOC) and its fractions (particulate organic carbon, POC; mineral-associated organic carbon, MAOC) were measured. The primary factors influencing SOC, POC, and MAOC were identified.【Results】(1) Compared with the control (CK) treatment, the B, O, and BO treatments significantly increased the mass proportion of soil coarse macroaggregates (particle size >2.000 mm) while decreasing the proportion of microaggregates within the size range of (0.053, 0.250] mm; Meanwhile, these treatments significantly enhanced the organic carbon content in soil coarse macroaggregates, fine macroaggregates ([0.250, 2.000] mm) and microaggregates, as well as the contents of SOC, POC and MAOC, with treatment BO exhibiting the most pronounced effect. (2) Soil organic carbon was mainly distributed in macroaggregates (>0.250 mm), and the contribution rate of organic carbon in macroaggregates under different treatments ranged from 61.06% to 73.68%, among these treatments, the BO treatment exhibited the highest contribution rate of soil organic carbon in macroaggregates (>0.250 mm). (3) SOC, POC, and MAOC were extremely significantly positively correlated with the mass proportion of coarse macroaggregates(A1), and the organic carbon contents of coarse macroaggregates (C1), fine macroaggregates (C2) and microaggregates (C3); SOC and MAOC were also extremely significantly positively correlated with surface litter standing crop (D1) and significantly positively correlated with nitrate nitrogen (NO₃⁻-N); POC was significantly positively correlated with microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and D1; SOC, POC, and MAOC were significantly negatively correlated with bulk density (BD) and the mass proportion of microaggregates (A3). Redundancy analysis further indicated that D1, A1, and total phosphorus (TP) were the key factors affecting the contents of SOC and its fractions.【Conclusion】The improvement of soil organic carbon and its fractions contents is mainly closely related to the formation of soil macroaggregates and the improvement of soil physical and chemical properties. Compared with the single application of biochar or chicken manure organic fertilizer, combined application of biochar and chicken manure organic fertilizer can more significantly promote the increase of soil organic carbon and its fractions contents, thereby enhancing the carbon sequestration and sink increase potential of poplar plantations.

Key words

poplar plantation / biochar / organic fertilizer / soil aggregate / soil organic carbon / carbon sequestration

Cite this article

EndNote

Ris (Procite)

Bibtex

Download Citations

JIN Xuan, WANG Guobing, LIN Yuqing, WANG Qian, CHEN Dongqin. Effects of biochar and chicken manure organic fertilizer application on soil aggregates and organic carbon in poplar plantation in Northen Jiangsu[J]. Journal of Nanjing Forestry University (Natural Sciences Edition）. 0 https://doi.org/10.12302/j.issn.1000-2006.202510021

References

[1] 王凯,邢仕奇,张日升,等.科尔沁沙地杨树人工林植物-土壤C、N、P化学计量变化[J].生态学杂志,2024,43(1):162-169.Wang K,Xing S Q,Zhang R S,et al.Changes in C,N,and P stoichiometry of soil and plant of poplar plantations in Horqin Sandy Land[J].Chinese Journal of Ecology,2024,43(1):162-169. DOI:10.13292/j.1000-4890.202401.023.
[2] Lin B J,Li R C,Liu K C,et al.Management-induced changes in soil organic carbon and related crop yield dynamics in China’s cropland[J].Global Change Biology,2023,29(13):3575-3590. DOI:10.1111/gcb.16703.
[3] Gul S,Whalen J K,Thomas B W,et al.Physico-chemical properties and microbial responses in biochar-amended soils:mechanisms and future directions[J].Agriculture,Ecosystems & Environment,2015,206:46-59. DOI:10.1016/j.agee.2015.03.015.
[4] Cui X,Yuan J,Yang X,et al.Biochar application alters soil metabolites and nitrogen cycle-related microorganisms in a soybean continuous cropping system[J].Science of the Total Environment,2024,917:170522. DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170522.
[5] Liu C,He C H,Chang S X,et al.Fertilization and tillage influence on soil organic carbon fractions:a global meta-analysis[J].Catena,2024,246:108404. DOI:10.1016/j.catena.2024.108404.
[6] 杜为研,唐杉,汪洪.我国有机肥资源及产业发展现状[J].中国土壤与肥料,2020(3):210-219.Du W Y,Tang S,Wang H.The status of organic fertilizer industry and organic fertilizer resources in China[J].Soils and Fertilizers Sciences in China,2020(3):210-219. DOI:10.11838/sfsc.1673-6257.19190.
[7] 谢钧宇,曹寒冰,孟会生,等.不同施肥措施及施肥年限下土壤团聚体的大小分布及其稳定性[J].水土保持学报,2020,34(3):274-281+290. Xie J Y,Cao H B,Meng H S,et al.Effects of different fertilization regimes and fertilization ages on size distribution and stability of soil aggregates[J]. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation,2020,34(3):274-281+290. DOI:10.13870/j.cnki.stbcxb.2020.03.041.
[8] Cui H,Zhu H,Shutes B,et al.Soil aggregate-driven changes in nutrient redistribution and microbial communities after 10-year organic fertilization[J].Journal of Environmental Management,2023,348:119306. DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119306.
[9] Gross A,Glaser B.Meta-analysis on how manure application changes soil organic carbon storage[J].Scientific Reports,2021,11:5516. DOI:10.1038/s41598-021-82739-7.
[10] 薛兆琨,俞柯汝,马嘉伟,等.生物炭与有机肥配施对土壤团聚体稳定性及有机碳贡献率的影响[J].山东农业科学,2025,57(7):108-115.Xue Z K,Yu K R,Ma J W,et al.Effects of combined application of biochar and organic fertilizer on soil aggregate stability and contribution of organic carbon[J].Shandong Agricultural Sciences,2025,57(7):108-115. DOI:10.14083/j.issn.1001-4942.2025.07.014.
[11] Lentz R D,Ippolito J A,Spokas K A.Biochar and manure effects on net nitrogen mineralization and greenhouse gas emissions from calcareous soil under corn[J].Soil Science Society of America Journal,2014,78(5):1641-1655. DOI:10.2136/sssaj2014.05.0198.
[12] Li S,Zhao J F,Chen Y,et al.Effects of partial substitution of chemical fertilizers with organic fertilizers on aggregate stability and organic carbon content in sandy soil[J].Agriculture,2026,16(5):625. DOI:10.3390/agriculture16050625.
[13] 王国兵,王瑞,徐瑾,等.生物炭对杨树人工林土壤微生物生物量碳、氮、磷及其化学计量特征的影响[J].南京林业大学学报(自然科学版),2019,43(2):1-6.Wang G B,Wang R,Xu J,et al.Effects of biochar application on microbial biomass C,N,P and stoichiometry characteristics of poplar plantation soil[J].Journal of Nanjing Forestry University (Natural Sciences Edition),2019,43(2):1-6. DOI:10.3969/j.issn.1000-2006.201803022.
[14] 鲍士旦. 土壤农化分析[M].3版.北京:中国农业出版社,2000:22-78. Bao S D.Soil and agricultural chemistry analysis[M].3rd ed.Beijing:China Agriculture Press,2000:22-78.
[15] He D M,Ruan H H.Long term effect of land reclamation from lake on chemical composition of soil organic matter and its mineralization[J].PLoS One,2014,9(6):e99251. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0099251.
[16] Xie N H,An T T,Liang X L,et al.Interaction between maize residues and initial soil carbon status on soil labile organic carbon pools[J].Applied Soil Ecology,2024,202:105482. DOI:10.1016/j.apsoil.2024.105482.
[17] Cheng Y T,Xu G C,Wang X K,et al.Contribution of soil aggregate particle size to organic carbon and the effect of land use on its distribution in a typical small watershed on Loess Plateau,China[J].Ecological Indicators,2023,155:110988. DOI:10.1016/j.ecolind.2023.110988.
[18] Zhang M H,Zhang C,Li X Y,et al.Intensive culture of anecic earthworms (Amynthas aspergillum) under monoculture and coculture:impacts on vertical soil organic carbon accumulation via regulating microbial biomass and community structure in South China[J].Geoderma,2025,464:117612. DOI:10.1016/j.geoderma.2025.117612.
[19] 李丛蕾,周际海,袁颖红,等.改良剂对旱地红壤团聚体及有机碳分布的影响[J].水土保持学报,2015,29(3):112-116.Li C L,Zhou J H,Yuan Y H,et al.Effects of soil amendments on distribution of water stable aggregates and organic carbon in upland red soil[J].Journal of Soil and Water Conservation,2015,29(3):112-116. DOI:10.13870/j.cnki.stbcxb.2015.03.022.
[20] 罗贞宝,李志宏,朱经伟,等.长期有机无机配施对土壤团聚体及有机碳的影响[J].中国土壤与肥料,2024(10):1-8.Luo Z B,Li Z H,Zhu J W,et al.Effects of long-term combined organic-inorganic fertilizer application on soil aggregates and organic carbon[J].Soil and Fertilizer Sciences in China,2024(10):1-8. DOI:10.11838/sfsc.1673-6257.23735.
[21] 高宏哲,吴景贵,李建明,等.不同有机培肥措施对盐碱土水稳性团聚体组成及特征的影响[J].吉林农业大学学报,2024,46(5):878-885.Gao H Z,Wu J G,Li J M,et al.Effects of different organic fertilization measures on composition and characteristics of water-stable aggregates in saline-alkali soil aggregates[J].Journal of Jilin Agricultural University,2024,46(5):878-885. DOI:10.13327/j.jjlau.2023.0113.
[22] 刘亚军,胡启国,王文静,等.生物有机肥以及钙镁硅型土壤调理剂对甘薯连作田土壤团聚体稳定性及有机碳含量的影响[J].江苏农业学报,2025,41(1):51-60.Liu Y J,Hu Q G,Wang W J,et al.Effects of bio-organic fertilizer and calcium magnesium silicon soil conditioner on soil aggregate stability and organic carbon content in sweet potato continuous cropping field[J].Jiangsu Journal of Agricultural Sciences,2025,41(1):51-60. DOI:10.3969/j.issn.1000-4440.2025.01.007.
[23] 方健梅,蒋丽伟,杨帆,等.施用生物炭对国槐人工林土壤理化性质的影响[J].湖南林业科技,2023,50(2):14-19.Fang J M,Jiang L W,Yang F,et al.Effects of biochar application on physical and chemical properties of Sophora Japonica plantation soil[J].Hunan Forestry Science & Technology,2023,50(2):14-19. DOI:10.3969/j.issn.1003-5710.2023.02.003.
[24] Xue P,Li T X,Fu Q,et al.Effects of biochar on farmland soil aggregate stability and phosphorus desorption[J].Journal of Environmental Management,2026,398:128513. DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.128513.
[25] Li G F,Li H,Yi X Y,et al.Effects of fertilization regimes on soil organic carbon fractions and its mineralization in tea gardens[J].Agronomy,2022,12(10):2522. DOI:10.3390/agronomy12102522.
[26] 王莎莎,陈俊玲,张晓杰,等.有机肥替代化肥与生物炭配施对茶园土壤团聚体稳定性及有机碳积累的影响[J].热带作物学报,2025,46(4):937-947.Wang S S,Chen J L,Zhang X J,et al.Impacts of substituting chemical fertilizer with organic fertilizer in conjunction with biochar on soil aggregate stability and accumulation of organic carbon in tea plantations[J].Chinese Journal of Tropical Crops,2025,46(4):937-947. DOI:10.3969/j.issn.1000-2561.2025.04.016.
[27] Chai H,Li J,Ochoa-Hueso R,et al.Different drivers of soil C accumulation in aggregates in response to altered precipitation in a semiarid grassland[J].Science of the Total Environment,2022,830:154760. DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154760.
[28] 李越,徐曼,谢永红,等.不同改良剂对酸性紫色土团聚体和有机碳的影响[J].环境科学,2024,45(2):974-982.Li Y,Xu M,Xie Y H,et al.Effects of different modifiers on aggregates and organic carbon in acidic purple soil[J].Environmental Science,2024,45(2):974-982. DOI:10.13227/j.hjkx.202303246.
[29] Sharma P,Abrol V,Nazir J,et al.Optimizing soil properties, water use efficiency, and crop yield through biochar and organic manure integration in organic soil[J].2025,373:123673. DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.123673.
[30] 罗梅,田冬,高明,等.紫色土壤有机碳活性组分对生物炭施用量的响应[J].环境科学,2018,39(9):4327-4337.Luo M,Tian D,Gao M,et al.Soil organic carbon of purple soil as affected by different application of biochar[J].Environmental Science,2018,39(9):4327-4337. DOI:10.13227/j.hjkx.201711067.
[31] Wang Y,Yin Y J,Joseph S,et al.Stabilization of organic carbon in top- and subsoil by biochar application into calcareous farmland[J].Science of the Total Environment,2024,907:168046. DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168046.
[32] Roy S,Kashem M A.Effects of organic manures in changes of some soil properties at different incubation periods[J].Open Journal of Soil Science,2014,4(3):81-86. DOI:10.4236/ojss.2014.43011.
[33] Yu H Y,Ding W X,Luo J F,et al.Long-term application of organic manure and mineral fertilizers on aggregation and aggregate-associated carbon in a sandy loam soil[J].Soil and Tillage Research,2012,124:170-177. DOI:10.1016/j.still.2012.06.011.
[34] Yuan X M,Ban G C,Luo Y B,et al.Biochar effects on aggregation and carbon-nitrogen retention in different-sized aggregates of clay and loam soils:a meta-analysis[J].Soil and Tillage Research,2025,247:106365. DOI:10.1016/j.still.2024.106365.
[35] Hu N J,Liu C Y,Chen Q,et al.Substitution of chemical fertilizer with organic fertilizer can affect soil labile organic carbon fractions and garlic yield by mediating soil aggregate-associated organic carbon[J].Agronomy,2023,13(12):3062. DOI:10.3390/agronomy13123062.
[36] Jia P H,Huang Y M,Zhang H X,et al.Variation of microbial necromass carbon and its potential relationship with humification during composting of chicken manure with and without biochar addition[J].Bioresource Technology,2024,409:131258. DOI:10.1016/j.biortech.2024.131258.
[37] Angst G,Mueller K E,Castellano M J,et al.Unlocking complex soil systems as carbon sinks:multi-pool management as the key[J].Nature Communications,2023,14:2967. DOI:10.1038/s41467-023-38700-5.
[38] Qiu H S,Liu J Y,Ge T D.Substitution of organic fertilizer did not change the dominant role of biochar on bacterial community stability but the soil carbon fractions[J].European Journal of Soil Biology,2025,126:103744. DOI:10.1016/j.ejsobi.2025.103744.
[39] Sokol N W,Bradford M A.Microbial formation of stable soil carbon is more efficient from belowground than aboveground input[J].Nature Geoscience,2019,12(1):46-53. DOI:10.1038/s41561-018-0258-6.
[40] Ling J,Dungait J A J,Delgado-Baquerizo M,et al.Soil organic carbon thresholds control fertilizer effects on carbon accrual in croplands worldwide[J].Nature Communications,2025,16:3009. DOI:10.1038/s41467-025-57981-6.
[41] Lin L W,Ji W,Chen S B,et al.Effects of soil organic amendments on soil organic carbon content and molecular diversity at the aggregate level[J].Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety,2026,309:119630. DOI:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.119630.
[42] Xu P D,Wang Q,Duan C J,et al.Biochar addition promotes soil organic carbon sequestration dominantly contributed by macro-aggregates in agricultural ecosystems of China[J].Journal of Environmental Management,2024,359:121042. DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121042.
[43] Gong S S,Liu S,Li F F,et al.Natural forests vs.plantations:a meta-analysis of consequences for soil organic carbon functional fractions[J].Journal of Environmental Management,2025,377:124673. DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.124673.
[44] Mikutta R,Turner S,Schippers A,et al.Microbial and abiotic controls on mineral-associated organic matter in soil profiles along an ecosystem gradient[J].Scientific Reports,2019,9:10294. DOI:10.1038/s41598-019-46501-4.
[45] Hu Y L,Zheng Z H,Qin C Q,et al.Effects of litter input on soil aggregation and aggregate carbon turnover differ among three subtropical forests in southeastern China[J].Frontiers in Plant Science,2025,16:1516775. DOI:10.3389/fpls.2025.1516775.

PDF(2340 KB)

Accesses

Citation

Detail

Sections

Recommended

The full text is translated into English by AI, aiming to facilitate reading and comprehension. The core content is subject to the explanation in Chinese.

www.nldxb.njfu.edu.cn

Edited ＆ Published by Editorial Department of Nanjing Forestry University(Natural Sciences Edition)
Address： No.159 Longpan Road,Nanjing 210037 Jiangsu,P.R.China
E-mail ：xuebao@njfu.edu.cn , xuebao@njfu.com.cn
Telephone +86-25-85428247,85427076
Distributed by China International Book Trading Corporation P.O. Box 399, Beijing ,P.R. China

〈

〉

Received	Revised
2025-10-18	2026-04-30
Just Accepted Date	Online First Date
2026-05-21	2026-05-21

Please choose a citation manager

Content to export