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The Synergistic Effects of Rice Straw-Pyrolyzed Biochar and Compost on Acidity Mitigation and Carbon Sequestration in Acidic Soils: A Comparative Study

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  • Xiaoying Pan

    (College of Resources and Environment, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou 510225, China
    Engineering and Technology Research Center for Agricultural Land Pollution Integrated Prevention and Control, Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Guangzhou 510225, China
    La Trobe Institute for Sustainable Agriculture and Food, Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Sciences, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia)

  • Tianchu Shu

    (College of Resources and Environment, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou 510225, China
    Engineering and Technology Research Center for Agricultural Land Pollution Integrated Prevention and Control, Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Guangzhou 510225, China)

  • Renyong Shi

    (State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China)

  • Xiaoxia Mao

    (Key Laboratory of Intelligent Quality Monitoring and Soil Fertility Improvement for Farmland, Anqing Normal University, Anqing 246011, China)

  • Jiuyu Li

    (State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
    Nanjing College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 211135, China)

  • Jackson Nkoh Nkoh

    (Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Plant Epigenetics, Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Marine Algal Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China)

  • Renkou Xu

    (State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
    Nanjing College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 211135, China)

Abstract

Straw biochar and compost can mitigate soil acidity and enhance carbon sequestration in acidic soils. However, their differential synergistic effects and underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. To address this gap, an incubation experiment was conducted in which rice straw biochar (BC) and compost (DC) were incorporated into an Ultisol at rates of 1% and 3%. BC outperformed DC in elevating the soil pH (0.39 vs. 0.28 units), reducing the exchangeable acidity (69% vs. 62%), and decreasing the potential active aluminum pool (35.1% vs. 25.2%) due to its higher alkalinity. Additionally, BC enhanced the soil organic carbon more effectively than DC (83.7% vs. 64.0%). While 3% BC treatment reduced the readily oxidizable and dissolved organic carbon in the soil, DC increased these parameters. This contrasting effect is attributed to BC’s lower carbon reactivity, higher alkalinity, and greater C/N ratio compared to DC. Compared with the control, BC and DC also increased the soil exchangeable K + (14.0-fold vs. 12.3-fold), Ca 2+ (5.4-fold vs. 4.9-fold), and Mg 2+ (3.7-fold vs. 5.2-fold). Overall, BC demonstrated superiority in mitigating acidity and sequestering carbon, while DC showed greater potential for improving fertility in acidic soils. Elucidating the distinct benefits of biochar versus compost provides valuable insights into the sustainable amelioration of acidic soils.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaoying Pan & Tianchu Shu & Renyong Shi & Xiaoxia Mao & Jiuyu Li & Jackson Nkoh Nkoh & Renkou Xu, 2025. "The Synergistic Effects of Rice Straw-Pyrolyzed Biochar and Compost on Acidity Mitigation and Carbon Sequestration in Acidic Soils: A Comparative Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-15, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:10:p:4408-:d:1654358
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hachib Mohammad Tusar & Md. Kamal Uddin & Shamim Mia & Ayesha Akter Suhi & Samsuri Bin Abdul Wahid & Susilawati Kasim & Nor Asrina Sairi & Zahangir Alam & Farooq Anwar, 2023. "Biochar-Acid Soil Interactions—A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-16, September.
    2. Remigio Paradelo & Jose Navarro-Pedreño & Bruno Glaser & Anna Grobelak & Aneta Kowalska & Bal Ram Singh, 2023. "Potential and Constraints of Use of Organic Amendments from Agricultural Residues for Improvement of Soil Properties," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-19, December.
    3. Jackson Nkoh Nkoh & M. Abdulaha-Al Baquy & Shamim Mia & Renyong Shi & Muhammad Aqeel Kamran & Khalid Mehmood & Renkou Xu, 2021. "A Critical-Systematic Review of the Interactions of Biochar with Soils and the Observable Outcomes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-22, December.
    4. Haifeng Wang & Yang Yang & Mengping Wang & Runjiao Yuan & Wenyi Song & Lin Wang & Ni Liang & Jiayi Shi & Jing Li, 2024. "Insights into the Roles of Surface Functional Groups and Micropores in the Sorption of Ofloxacin on Banana Pseudo-Stem Biochars," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-22, March.
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