Impact of Magnesium-Modified Straw Biochar on Acidic Soil Chemical and Biological CharacteristicsIf you are interested in products related to the research phase in this field, please contact for further inquiries.
Soil health is fundamental to agricultural productivity and ecological balance. However, widespread soil degradation, particularly soil acidification, poses significant challenges to sustainable agriculture. Acidic soils, prevalent in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions, impair crop growth by activating toxic aluminum ions, accelerating nutrient leaching, and reducing microbial activity. Traditional soil amelioration methods, such as lime application, offer limited sustainability and effectiveness. Therefore, exploring innovative and eco-friendly solutions to enhance soil health is imperative.
Fig 1. Effect of different Mg-modified biochar on soil pH. (Liu Z., et al., 2023) 
The Need for Modification
While biochar offers numerous benefits, its effectiveness can be further enhanced through modification. Magnesium (Mg) is an essential plant nutrient involved in chlorophyll synthesis and enzyme activation. However, Mg deficiency is widespread in many agricultural soils, particularly acidic ones. Modifying biochar with magnesium can address this deficiency while leveraging biochar's inherent benefits.
Preparation and Characterization of Mg-Modified Biochar
Mg-modified biochar is prepared by impregnating biochar precursors with magnesium chloride solutions followed by pyrolysis at high temperatures. This process enhances biochar's specific surface area, pore structure, and functional groups, improving its nutrient-holding capacity. Studies have shown that Mg-modified biochar has a higher pH and larger surface area compared to unmodified biochar, making it more effective in neutralizing soil acidity and retaining nutrients.
Increased Soil pH and Reduced Acidity
Mg-modified biochar significantly increases soil pH, neutralizing acidity and reducing aluminum toxicity. The alkaline nature of Mg-modified biochar, attributed to its basic functional groups and high cation exchange capacity, effectively raises soil pH. Studies have demonstrated that the addition of Mg-modified biochar to acidic soils can increase pH by up to 50%, creating a more favorable environment for crop growth.
Enhanced Nutrient Availability
Mg-modified biochar improves the availability of essential nutrients like potassium (K), phosphorus (P), and nitrogen (N). Its high surface area and pore structure facilitate the adsorption and release of nutrients, making them more accessible to plants. Additionally, Mg-modified biochar's liming effect enhances the solubility of phosphorus, reducing fixation and increasing plant uptake. Studies have shown that Mg-modified biochar can significantly increase the concentrations of available K, P, and total N in soil, leading to improved crop yields.
Increased Organic Carbon Content
The addition of Mg-modified biochar to soil increases organic carbon content, a key indicator of soil health. Biochar's stable carbon structure resists decomposition, thereby enhancing carbon sequestration. Moreover, biochar's interaction with soil microorganisms promotes the formation of stable soil aggregates, further increasing organic carbon retention. Studies have reported significant increases in soil organic carbon content following Mg-modified biochar application, contributing to long-term soil fertility.
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Reference
This article is for research use only and cannot be used for any clinical purposes.
