Elucidating the Impacts of Biochar Applications on Nitrogen Cycling Microbial Communities

Biochar has been shown to improve soil function through increased cation and anion exchange capacity, soil water retention, increased soil buffer capacity, and enhanced microbial growth. Proposed mechanisms by which biochar will increase microbial activity include provision of labile carbon, increased nutrient retention, facilitated electron transfer (shuttling) to microorganisms, and increased microbial habitat space given the high specific surface area and micropore volume of biochar. Furthermore, some studies have shown that it reduces N₂O emissions during denitrification in soils. Here we discuss the impact of biochar amendment on soil microbial nitrogen cycling.