Biochar-microbe synergy: boosting soil health and fertility

This review examines how microbial inoculants integrated with biochar enhance soil fertility and sustainable agriculture. It focuses on biochar-microbe interactions that improve nutrient availability, soil health, and crop productivity, along with underlying mechanisms. This literature review considers experimental studies on biochar manufacturing through pyrolysis, torrefaction, and gasification processes as well as physicochemical properties of the material such as porosity, surface area, and pH. There are several types of microorganisms tested in connection with their synergy with biochar, including Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR), nitrogen-fixing bacteria, and mycorrhizae. For instance, in co-inoculation with microorganisms like Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis, there was an increase in nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, and productivity up to 40 %. Nanomaterial-incorporated biochar bioengineering also enhanced microorganism efficiency. However, difficulties arise in the proper use of microorganisms and biochar integration and large-scale manufacturing in various agricultural contexts. Microbes-loaded biochar inoculants play a vital role in improving soil health, increasing crop productivity, and sustaining agriculture. Future research should be centered on field tests and creating effective microorganism consortia.