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In the context of global challenge, innovative organic amendment strategies could be used to improve soil agronomic properties in addition to increasing carbon (C) sequestration in soil. The combination of highly stable biochar with compost, a nutrient-rich material containing labile C, may be a solution to improve C sequestration while enhancing soil fertility in the context of a circular economy. Aim of the thesis was to examine if there are biochar-compost interactions and if yes, what are the mechanisms determining their effect on C and nitrogen (N) dynamics and plant growth, at different time scales. To this end we used laboratory and field experiments and analyzed for biological and thermal stability. The thermal stability of biochar was affected by biocharcompost interactions, which may already occur during their blending. Artificial weathering influenced the biological stability of both materials. Under field conditions, these processes did not significantly influence the carbon dynamics of the mixture, while biochar friability and N dynamics were affected by biochar-compost interactions. We conclude that biochar and compost interactions may occur at different time scales and affect their material properties and performance as soil amendment., Dans le contexte actuel des enjeux environnementaux, des stratégies innovantes d’amendement organique peuvent être utilisées afin d’améliorer les propriétés agronomiques du sol, tout en augmentant la séquestration du carbone (C) dans le sol. La combinaison de biochar hautement stable avec du compost, matériau riche en nutriments et contenant du C labile, pourrait être une de ces stratégies, dans un contexte d’économie circulaire. L’objectif de la thèse était d’étudier l’existence d’interactions entre biochar et compost et le cas échéant, de déterminer les mécanismes responsables de leurs effets sur la dynamique du C et de l’azote, ainsi que sur les plantes, à différentes échelles de temps. Pour ce faire, nous avons réalisé des expériences au laboratoire et au champ et analysé les stabilités thermiques et biologiques. La stabilité thermique du biochar a été affectée par les interactions biochar-compost, survenant dès leur mélange. L’altération artificielle a induit des changements sur la stabilité biologique des deux composants. Dans les conditions au champ, les processus induits par les interactions biochar-compost n’ont pas impacté significativement la dynamique du C des mélanges, contrairement à leurs effets sur la friabilité du biochar et la dynamique de l’azote. En conclusion, les interactions entre biochar et compost peuvent se produire à différentes échelles de temps et affecter significativement les propriétés des matériaux ainsi que leur performance en tant qu’amendement organique.

Application of biochar, a solid product produced from biomass pyrolysis under low oxygen conditions, has been suggested as a low emission technology capable of increasing soil C sequestration to mitigate climate change. Its combined application with compost may be a promising avenue to ameliorate soil quality while increasing C sequestration. We hypothesized that biochar addition to compost reduces the mineralization of the mixture compared to compost alone. The study aimed to compare the mineralization rate of six biochar-compost mixtures differentiated by biochar feedstocks. Biochars were produced at temperatures ranging from 450 to 650°C for 10 minutes. Our conceptual approach included incubation of fresh and artificially aged biochar-compost mixtures. Physical ageing of the mixtures was performed with successive cycles of humidification/drying and freezing/thawing. We evaluated elemental composition and biological stability of the fresh and aged mixtures after incubation with a soil inoculum for 1 year. We monitored components of biochar-compost mixtures decomposition when biochar were produced from C4 feedstock by determination of the 13C signature of emitted CO2.Combination of compost with biochar induced synergistic effects in terms of the mixtures stability. Isotopic analyses showed that carbon mineralization from compost was greatly reduced, while biochar mineralization was increased. Physical ageing induced a strong leaching of water-soluble compounds of both substrates. Carbon mineralization of aged material was however not reduced as much as expected when comparing with mineralization rates of single compounds of the mixture. Furthermore, isotopic signatures showed that compost, when amended with biochar, mineralized better after ageing. We thus suggest that the water-soluble fraction of biochar may induce an inhibitive effect on the mineralization of compost. The intensity of this effect seems to be dependent upon the feedstock of the biochar in the mixture.We conclude that biochar addition to compost may reduce the mineralization of the mixture depending on biochar feedstock and that this effect may be alleviated after ageing.