Impacts of Biochar-Based Controlled-Release Nitrogen Fertilizers on Soil Prokaryotic and Fungal Communities

Controlled-release Nitrogen Fertilizers (CRNFs) are an effective fertilization technique by minimizing nutrient loss and making (N) available to plants as they grow. Biochar-based CRNF (BCRNF) technologies have been demonstrated very promising in increase of corn yield. Despite the beneficial effects BCRNFs, their impacts on prokaryotic fungal soil communities not well evaluated. Different formulations BCRNF were developed investigate productivity. We analyzed microbes functional potential under different regimes using amplified V3–V4 region 16s rRNA for determining prokaryotic, ITS genes communities. The diversity was similar across treatments, with differences genera relative abundance 0.1% or less (p < 0.05). In contrast, community only unfertilized soil. It had a high Aspergillus. Genus level comparison showed that Pseudofabraea higher Bioasphalt-based compared other treatments. Moreover, N-fixing also At genus level, Microvirga, Azospirillum, Methyloprofundus highest no-fertilizer control. predictions PICRUSt2 portrayed consistent N-cycling functions However, predicted gene related nitrous-oxide reductase (nosZ) hydroxylamine (hcp) significantly lower receiving containing biosolid. Overall, treatments previously identified yield displayed minimal shifts microbial Thus, such novel would enable increased crop without affecting leading sustainable production.