Biological nitrogen fixation by common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) increases with bio-char additions
Abstract
This study examines the potential, magnitude, and causes of enhanced biological N₂ fixation (BNF) by common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) through bio-char additions (charcoal, biomass-derived black carbon). Bio-char was added at 0, 30, 60, and 90 g kg-¹ soil, and BNF was determined using the isotope dilution method after adding ¹⁵N-enriched ammonium sulfate to a Typic Haplustox cropped to a potentially nodulating bean variety (CIAT BAT 477) in comparison to its non-nodulating isoline (BAT 477NN), both inoculated with effective Rhizobium strains. The proportion of fixed N increased from 50% without bio-char additions to 72% with 90 g kg-¹ bio-char added. While total N derived from the atmosphere (NdfA) significantly increased by 49 and 78% with 30 and 60 g kg-¹ bio-char added to soil, respectively, NdfA decreased to 30% above the control with 90 g kg-¹ due to low total biomass production and N uptake. The primary reason for the higher BNF with bio-char additions was the greater B and Mo availability, whereas greater K, Ca, and P availability, as well as higher pH and lower N availability and Al saturation, may have contributed to a lesser extent. Enhanced mycorrhizal infections of roots were not found to contribute to better nutrient uptake and BNF. Bean yield increased by 46% and biomass production by 39% over the control at 90 and 60 g kg-¹ bio-char, respectively. However, biomass production and total N uptake decreased when bio-char applications were increased to 90 g kg-¹. Soil N uptake by N-fixing beans decreased by 14, 17, and 50% when 30, 60, and 90 g kg-¹ bio-char were added to soil, whereas the C/N ratios increased from 16 to 23.7, 28, and 35, respectively. Results demonstrate the potential of bio-char applications to improve N input into agroecosystems while pointing out the needs for long-term field studies to better understand the effects of bio-char on BNF.
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Biochar increases biological nitrogen fixation.
“increasing biological nitrogen fixation [11]”
From A Review of Biochar and Soil Nitrogen Dynamics (2013) · cites this paper as [11]
The increased abundance of Bradyrhizobiaceae and Hyphomicrobiaceae may explain the enhanced N2 fixation previously observed in bean crops with biochar present.
“This result may explain the enhanced N 2 fixation previously observed in bean crops with biochar present [11].”
From A Review of Biochar and Soil Nitrogen Dynamics (2013) · cites this paper as [11]
Increasing rates of biochar addition (0, 30, 60, and 90 kg ha−1) increased N2 fixation, which consequently lead to 30-40% increase in beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) yield.
“Increasing rates of biochar addition (0, 30, 60, and 90 kg ha À1 ) increased N 2 fixation, which consequently lead to 30À40% increase in beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) yield (Rondon et al., 2007).”
From Biochar implications for sustainable agriculture and environment: A review (2019) · cites this paper as Rondon et al., 2007
Since most of biochars show high C/N ratios (vary widely between 7 and 400), application of biochar may, indeed, increase soil C/N ratio, which may lead to N deficiency in plants and that may be reflected in lower plant yield.
“Since most of biochars show high C/N ratios (vary widely between 7 and 400), application of biochar may, indeed, increase soil C/N ratio, which may lead to N deficiency in plants and that may be reflected in lower plant yield (Kloss et al., 2014;Rondon et al., 2007).”
From Biochar implications for sustainable agriculture and environment: A review (2019) · cites this paper as Rondon et al., 2007
Rondon et al. (2007) reported that the proportion of fixed N by common bean increased from 50% in the control to 72% with 90 g kg-1 biochar application.
“Rondon et al. (2007) reported that the proportion of fixed N by common bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) increased from 50% in the control to 72% with 90 g kg -1 biochar application.”
From A review on biochar modulated soil condition improvements and nutrient dynamics concerning crop yields: Pathways to climate change mitigation and global food security (2019) · cites this paper as Rondon et al., 2007
The primary reason for higher BNF with biochar additions was greater B and Mo availability in the amended soil than the unamended control, while greater K, Ca, and P availability with higher soil pH and lower N availability and Al saturation might have also concurrently occurred.
“The primary reason for the higher BNF with biochar additions was the greater B and Mo availability in the amended soil than the unamended control, while a greater K, Ca, and P availability with higher soil pH and lower N availability and Al saturation might have also concurrently occurred (Rondon et al., 2007).”
From A review on biochar modulated soil condition improvements and nutrient dynamics concerning crop yields: Pathways to climate change mitigation and global food security (2019) · cites this paper as Rondon et al., 2007
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References 49 · Cited by 1,333
- Authors
- Rondon, M. A., Lehmann, J., Ramírez, J., & Hurtado, M.
- Affiliations
- Cornell University (US)
- International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CO)
- ORCID
- Lehmann, Johannes
- Venue
- Biology and Fertility of Soils
- Published
- 2006-11-24
- Volume
- 43
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 699-708
- ISSN
- 0178-2762 (ISSN-L)
- 1432-0789
- OpenAlex
- W2048059718
- Cited by
- 1,333
- References
- 49
- Citations by year
- 2026: 26 · 2025: 41 · 2024: 66 · 2023: 74 · 2022: 96 · 2021: 114 · 2020: 104 · 2019: 91 · 2018: 63 · 2017: 75 · 2016: 67 · 2015: 79 · 2014: 84 · 2013: 79 · 2012: 80
- FWCI
- 25.76
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Biology and Fertility of Soils (publishedVersion)
- CGSPace A Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Legume Nitrogen Fixing Symbiosis
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Soil Science › Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Soil Science › Agricultural Science and Fertilization
- Keywords
- nitrogen fixation, biochar, Phaseolus vulgaris, black carbon, Rhizobium, 15N isotope dilution, soil nitrogen availability, boron availability, molybdenum availability, mycorrhizal colonization, soil pH, aluminum saturation, soil C:N ratio, bean yield, nitrogen uptake
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