The combined effect of biochar type, loading rate, saturation and crop type on soil microbial communities growing crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum) and Italian Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.)

Converting dairy manure to biochar could help combat the negative impacts of land application of dairy manure. Soil amendment with biochar can modify soil microbial abundance, functions, and community structure. However, these effects can vary largely due to the biochar feedstock, pyrolysis conditions, and among other factors. Although the effects of biochar on microbial communities have been the subject of few studies in recent times studies, the effects of biochar and its loading rate on microbial interactions and functions in biochar amended soils as affected by crop type are limited. In this study, the combined effects of biochar type, biochar loading rate, saturation and plant application on soil fertility, microbial communities' diversity and functions, and microbial interactions were investigated in a greenhouse pot study. Manure, wood, and blend (50% Wood + 50% Manure) derived dairy effluent saturated and unsaturated biochars were used to amend sandy loam soils at increasing biochar loading rates (0, 2, 5 and 10%) to grow crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum; an annual legume) and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.; an annual grass) for 120 days. Soil physicochemical properties were taken, followed by 16S rRNA (V3-V4) and ITS amplicon sequencing of soil microbial (archaea, bacteria, and fungi) communities.