Objective Biochar has a significant effect on improving soil quality, however, its impact on soils at different depths remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the effects of different biochar application rates on the mass proportion of soil aggregates and soil organic matter content in various soil layers.
Methods This study examined the effects of biochar application on the physicochemical properties of black soil at different depths, including soil aggregate composition, soil bulk density, and organic matter content, through a field experiment with varying biochar application rates. The experiment included five treatments, three replications, and a total of fifteen plots.
Results Compared with conventional fertilization, biochar treatments increased the mass proportion of large soil aggregates (>0.25 mm) in the 0~5 cm, 5~10 cm, and 10~20 cm soil layers. Biochar also reduced soil bulk density and increased soil organic matter content across the different soil layers.
Conclusions The application of biochar promotes the formation of large soil aggregates (>0.25 mm), reduces bulk density, and enhances organic matter content. These findings indicate that using biochar as a soil conditioner can effectively improve the physicochemical properties of black soils at different depths in farmland.
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