Legacy effects of biochar application increase fungal necromass carbon but exhibit divergent influence on soil organic carbon

The potential of biochar for carbon sequestration is widely recognized, but its long-term residual effects after application cessation remain poorly quantified, particularly regarding microbially mediated pathways for soil organic carbon (SOC) formation and stabilization. This study fills this critical gap through a unique 8-year field experiment, providing novel insights into the regulatory mechanisms governing SOC dynamics in agricultural soils.