Effect of sewage sludge biochar on the soil nutrient, microbial abundance, and plant biomass: A sustainable approach towards mitigation of solid waste

Abstract

Soils functions, fertility, and microbial abundance may alter in various ways by the biochar amendments to the soil. This study revealed the way of pyrolysis temperature influences the biochar quality and its addition for improving soil properties. The SS biochar was synthesized via pyrolysis and characterized by SEM and FTIR for studying surface images and chemical functional groups. The biochar upon addition with soil was studied for physiological parameters of plants like seed germination index, root length, shoot length, biomass, metal (loid) analysis of soil, SS and SS biochar, total organic content, C: N ratio, NPK values, etc. Besides, combinations of biochar: soil {1:3 (25% + 75%), 1:1 (50% + 50%), and 3:1 (75% + 25%)} ratios were used for studying the effect of biochar on soil microbial community. The 16S rRNA metagenomic analysis revealed the dominance of phyla: Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Acidobacteria that influence the soil nutrient cycle when applied at ratio 1:3. This study highlights the valorization of SS into biochar and studied the effect of biochar augmentation with soil; its impact on soil nutrients, microbial abundance, and plant biomass enhancement. The greener approach also mitigates and helps in the sustainable management of solid wastes, thus reducing GHGs emissions and improves nutrient cycling.