Research Article

Residual Effects of Biochar on Organic Carbon Fraction and Soil Properties after Three Years of Consecutive Wheat Cultivation

Number: 1 August 21, 2026

Residual Effects of Biochar on Organic Carbon Fraction and Soil Properties after Three Years of Consecutive Wheat Cultivation

Abstract

The increasing pressure on agricultural soils due to intensive land use and excessive fertilization practices threatens soil quality and long-term food security. This study aimed to determine the effects of biochar application on soil carbon dynamics as well as on the chemical and biological properties of a soil cultivated with wheat for three consecutive years. Biochar, produced from woody residues via gasification, was applied at a rate of 5.0 t ha⁻¹ and incorporated into the topsoil (0–20 cm). Wheat was cultivated consecutively for three years following biochar application. Soil samples were collected from control and biochar-amended plots and analysed for mineral associated organic carbon (MAOC), particulate organic carbon (POC), bulk soil organic carbon, chemical properties, nutrient availability and microbial activity. Biochar was found to significantly increase organic carbon in all three fractions, with the greatest increase observed in POC. Biochar application did not significantly affect soil pH but reduced electrical conductivity while increasing soil organic carbon and cation exchange capacity. Exchangeable Ca, Mg and DTPA-extractable Mn contents were significantly higher in biochar-amended soils, whereas plant-available P and DTPA-extractable Cu and Zn decreased. In terms of soil biology, the amendment reduced basal respiration while increasing microbial biomass carbon. This suggests a potential for enhanced carbon stabilisation and altered microbial dynamics. These findings demonstrate that the residual effects of a single biochar application persist for several years, influencing soil carbon pools, nutrient availability and microbial activity. The contrasting responses of different nutrients emphasise the importance of optimising biochar management strategies to support long-term soil fertility and sustainable crop production.

Keywords

References

  1. Adhikari, S., Moon, E., Paz-Ferreiro, J., & Timms, W. (2024). Comparative analysis of biochar carbon stability methods and implications for carbon credits. Science of the Total Environment, 914, 169607.
  2. Anderson, J. P. E. (1982). Soil respiration. In A. L. Page, R. H. Miller, & D. R. Keeney (Eds.), Methods of soil analysis: Part 2. Chemical and microbiological properties (2nd ed., pp. 831–871). American Society of Agronomy, Soil Science Society of America.
  3. Anderson, J. P. E., & Domsch, K. H. (1978). A physiological method for the quantitative measurement of microbial biomass in soils. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 10(3), 215–221.
  4. Bai, S. H., Omidvar, N., Gallart, M., Kämper, W., Tahmasbian, I., Farrar, M. B., & van Zwieten, L. (2022). Combined effects of biochar and fertilizer applications on yield: A review and meta-analysis. Science of the Total Environment, 808, 152073.
  5. Baligar, V. C., Fageria, N. K., & He, Z. L. (2001). Nutrient use efficiency in plants. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 32(7-8), 921–950.
  6. Brewer, C. E., Schmidt-Rohr, K., Satrio, J. A., & Brown, R. C. (2009). Characterization of biochar from fast pyrolysis and gasification systems. Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy, 28(3), 386–396.
  7. Cheng, L., Leavitt, S. W., Kimball, B. A., Pinter, P. J., Jr., Ottman, M. J., Matthias, A., ... & Thompson, T. L. (2007). Dynamics of labile and recalcitrant soil carbon pools in a sorghum free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) agroecosystem. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 39(9), 2250–2263.
  8. Chintala, R., Schumacher, T. E., McDonald, L. M., Clay, D. E., Malo, D. D., Papiernik, S. K., Clay, S. A., & Julson, J. L. (2014). Phosphorus sorption and availability from biochars and soil/biochar mixtures. Clean - Soil, Air, Water, 42(5), 626–634.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Soil Chemistry and Soil Carbon Sequestration (Excl. Carbon Sequestration Science), Soil Sciences and Plant Nutrition (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

August 21, 2026

Submission Date

February 19, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 23, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: 1

APA
Demirkaya, S. (2026). Residual Effects of Biochar on Organic Carbon Fraction and Soil Properties after Three Years of Consecutive Wheat Cultivation. Yuzuncu Yıl University Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 1, 1890884. https://doi.org/10.29133/yyutbd.1890884
AMA
1.Demirkaya S. Residual Effects of Biochar on Organic Carbon Fraction and Soil Properties after Three Years of Consecutive Wheat Cultivation. YYU J AGR SCI. 2026;(1):1890884. doi:10.29133/yyutbd.1890884
Chicago
Demirkaya, Salih. 2026. “Residual Effects of Biochar on Organic Carbon Fraction and Soil Properties After Three Years of Consecutive Wheat Cultivation”. Yuzuncu Yıl University Journal of Agricultural Sciences, no. 1: 1890884. https://doi.org/10.29133/yyutbd.1890884.
EndNote
Demirkaya S (August 1, 2026) Residual Effects of Biochar on Organic Carbon Fraction and Soil Properties after Three Years of Consecutive Wheat Cultivation. Yuzuncu Yıl University Journal of Agricultural Sciences 1 1890884.
IEEE
[1]S. Demirkaya, “Residual Effects of Biochar on Organic Carbon Fraction and Soil Properties after Three Years of Consecutive Wheat Cultivation”, YYU J AGR SCI, no. 1, p. 1890884, Aug. 2026, doi: 10.29133/yyutbd.1890884.
ISNAD
Demirkaya, Salih. “Residual Effects of Biochar on Organic Carbon Fraction and Soil Properties After Three Years of Consecutive Wheat Cultivation”. Yuzuncu Yıl University Journal of Agricultural Sciences. 1 (August 1, 2026): 1890884. https://doi.org/10.29133/yyutbd.1890884.
JAMA
1.Demirkaya S. Residual Effects of Biochar on Organic Carbon Fraction and Soil Properties after Three Years of Consecutive Wheat Cultivation. YYU J AGR SCI. 2026;:1890884.
MLA
Demirkaya, Salih. “Residual Effects of Biochar on Organic Carbon Fraction and Soil Properties After Three Years of Consecutive Wheat Cultivation”. Yuzuncu Yıl University Journal of Agricultural Sciences, no. 1, Aug. 2026, p. 1890884, doi:10.29133/yyutbd.1890884.
Vancouver
1.Salih Demirkaya. Residual Effects of Biochar on Organic Carbon Fraction and Soil Properties after Three Years of Consecutive Wheat Cultivation. YYU J AGR SCI. 2026 Aug. 1;(1):1890884. doi:10.29133/yyutbd.1890884
Creative Commons License
Yuzuncu Yil University Journal of Agricultural Sciences by Van Yuzuncu Yil University Faculty of Agriculture is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.