Microbial mechanisms of organic matter mineralization induced by straw in biochar-amended paddy soil

Abstract Combined straw and straw-derived biochar input is commonly applied by farmland management in low-fertility soils. Although straw return increases soil organic matter (SOM) contents, it also primes SOM mineralization. The mechanisms by which active microorganisms mineralize SOM and the underlying factors remain unclear for such soils. To address these issues, paddy soil was amended with 13C-labeled straw, with and without biochar (BC) or ferrihydrite (Fh), and incubated for 70 days under flooded conditions. Compound-specific 13C analysis of phospholipid fatty acids (13C-PLFAs) allowed us to identify active microbial communities utilizing the 13C-labeled straw and specific groups involved in SOM mineralization. Cumulative SOM mineralization increased by 61% and 27% in soils amended with Straw + BC and Straw + Fh + BC, respectively, compared to that with straw only. The total PLFA content was independent of the straw and biochar input. However, 13C-PLFAs contents increased by 35–82% after biochar addition, reflecting accelerated microbial turnover. Compared to that in soils without biochar addition, those with biochar had an altered microbial community composition-increased amounts of 13C-labeled gram-positive bacteria (13C-Gram +) and fungi, which were the main active microorganisms mineralizing SOM. Microbial reproduction and growth were susceptible to nutrient availability. 13C-Gram + and 13C-fungi increased with Olsen P but decreased with dissolved organic carbon and $${\text{NO}}_{3}^{ - }$$ NO 3 - contents. In conclusion, biochar acts as an electron shuttle, stimulates iron reduction, and releases organic carbon from soil minerals, which in turn increases SOM mineralization. Gram + and fungi were involved in straw decomposition in response to biochar application and responsible for SOM mineralization. Graphical Abstract