Effect of biogas slurry combined with biochar on soil microbial function gene

The functional diversity of soil microbial communities was explored for a poplar plantation, which was treated solely with biogas slurry, or combined with biochar at different fertilization intensities over several years. Our experiment was set up in the forest farm in a poplar plantation of Jiangsu Province, in Eastern China. This area had been fertilized solely with biogas slurry, or in combination with biochar, at different concentrations for 5 years. The effects of biogas slurry and biochar on the functional structures and gene diversity of soil microbial communities were explored.