Phosphorus (P) is a non-replaceable, finite component of fertilizers. The imbalanced resource distribution and possible depletion of P impose challenges on current crop production worldwide. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of poultry litter biochar on plant growth and P mobilizing capability of the microbiome in comparison to a mineral fertilizer application. Spring barley () was grown in microcosms using a P-limited soil, fertilized with 0 (control), 50 (fertilizer) kg P ha or a poultry litter biochar amendment (biochar, 2% w/w). Biochar amended rhizospheres had significantly higher phosphonate-utilizing bacteria, and gene (acid and alkaline phosphatase) copy numbers and improved P availability. Spring barley dry matter yields were significantly higher for biochar and fertilizer over control; however, P uptake with biochar was higher than with fertilizer. Furthermore, biochar had higher arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization and significantly raised soil pH. Fingerprint-analysis showed significant differences between all treatments for bacterial and fungal communities. 16S rRNA gene-based sequencing analysis revealed increased relative abundance of the phyla and in biochar compared to control, potentially contributing to the ameliorated plant growth conditions. Pearson correlations of both phyla was positive with a range of P cycling variables as well as Morgan's P but negative with acid phosphatase activity. FAPROTAX analysis revealed positive correlations of aromatic compound degradation with and gene abundance, highlighting a possible link between biodegradation and P release. In conclusion, poultry litter biochar could potentially replace mineral P fertilizer for sustainable plant growth in P depleted soil environments.

中文翻译：

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家禽垫料生物炭土壤改良剂影响微生物群落结构，促进磷循环和大麦（Hordeumvulgare）的生长

磷 (P) 是肥料中不可替代的有限成分。资源分布不平衡和磷的可能枯竭给当前全球农作物生产带来了挑战。本研究的目的是评估与矿物肥料施用相比，家禽垫料生物炭对植物生长和微生物组磷动员能力的影响。使用磷限制土壤在微观世界中种植春大麦 ()，并施以 0（对照）、50（肥料）kg P ha 或家禽垫料生物炭改良剂（生物炭，2% w/w）。生物炭改良的根际具有显着更高的磷酸盐利用细菌和基因（酸性和碱性磷酸酶）拷贝数，并提高了磷的利用率。与对照相比，生物炭和肥料的春大麦干物质产量显着更高；然而，生物炭对磷的吸收量高于肥料。此外，生物炭具有较高的丛枝菌根定殖并显着提高土壤pH值。指纹分析显示细菌和真菌群落的所有处理之间存在显着差异。基于 16S rRNA 基因的测序分析显示，与对照相比，门和生物炭的相对丰度增加，可能有助于改善植物生长条件。两个门的 Pearson 相关性与一系列 P 循环变量以及 Morgan 的 P 呈正相关，但与酸性磷酸酶活性呈负相关。FAPROTAX 分析揭示了芳香族化合物降解与基因丰度的正相关性，强调了生物降解和磷释放之间可能存在的联系。总之，家禽垫料生物炭有可能取代矿物磷肥，以实现贫磷土壤环境中植物的可持续生长。