Effect of microplastics and biochar addition on soil microbial communities

Recently, in recent agriculture system, biochar is a prevalent management practice, accompanied with inevitable microplastics pollution, regardless of microplastics (MPs) types to be conventinal or biodegradable. However, few studies have explored how their interactions affect soil N cycle and microbial communities. A 80 day microcosm experiment of coriander was conducted by amendment of biochar, co-applied with PE and PLA microplastics. Biochar enhanced plant growth of the aboveground, while PLA inhibited root biomass without biocar addition. Biochar and MPs independently shifted soil C pool turnover and reduced N transformation and the abundance of N functional genes. Under biochar application, N2O emissions differed by MPs types, due to the change in regulating N functional genes. Interactions of biochar and MPs significantly regulated modulated the bacterial and fungal community composition and function. This study revealed divergent changes of biochar interact with different microplastic types in soil properties, plant growth, N processes, and microbial communities which can guid the sustainable environmental management of biochar and plastic applicant.