Soil microbiome regulates community functions during biochar-based fertilizer substitution made from biodegradable waste

The numerous losses and wastage of biodegradable materials, particularly fruits and vegetables, have emerged as a critical economic and environmental concern. The recycling of the constituents present in such waste holds paramount importance for the preservation of our natural environment. An innovative approach involves the incorporation of biochar-based fertilizer (BCF) into agricultural practices, which has been documented to boost soil nutrient levels and crop development. Nevertheless, the impacts of biochar-based fertilizer derived from fruit and vegetable waste on the native plant and soil communities remain unclear. In this study, we examined the ecological repercussions of substituting traditional chemical fertilizers (CF) with BCF, and our findings revealed substantial benefits for maize cultivation and soil health. Our results demonstrate that BCF substitution displayed comparable enhancement to those achieved with organic fertilizer replacement, with the most effective substitution ratio as 2/3 (2 BCF: 1 CF). The assembly of the ecological communities in the soil following BCF substitution drove by deterministic processes, and random forest analysis revealed the key species. Notably, the key species are closely associated with maize yields, also showed a considerable influence over the community's functions, especially in terms of nutrient utilization. Beyond the enhancement of soil nutrient levels, the native microbiome also dominated the crop yields and community functions. This suggests the existence of multifaceted interactions within the agricultural ecosystem that extend beyond nutrient availability. These findings provide new perspectives on how the biodegradable waste could serve as a valuable resource for substituting chemical fertilizers. Furthermore, it underscores the vital role played by the soil microbiome in organic substitution, paving the way for more sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices.