Nanozeolite-coupled biochar-based phosphate fertilizer dampens warming-induced soil carbon loss by microbial functional constraints in Moso bamboo forests

Abstract

Using nanozeolite-coupled biochar-based phosphate fertilizers (NanoBP) has been proposed as a promising strategy to improve phosphorus-use efficiency in intensive crop systems, yet the effects of NanoBP on soil organic carbon (SOC) mineralization and its temperature sensitivity (Q₁₀) in forests remain poorly understood. In this 56-day incubation study, we examined how NanoBP and conventional chemical phosphorus fertilizer (CP), supplying comparable amounts of phosphorus, influenced SOC mineralization and its apparent Q₁₀ in a Moso bamboo forest soil. Compared with the unfertilized control, CP application increased SOC-derived CO₂ emissions but showed little effect on Q₁₀. In contrast, NanoBP lowered SOC mineralization rates and Q₁₀ across both active and slow carbon pools. Variations in Q₁₀ were primarily driven by microbial enzyme activities and the abundance of cellulolytic functional genes. Despite higher soil microbial biomass and phosphorus availability, NanoBP suppressed β-glucosidase and cellobiohydrolase activities and reduced the abundance of GH48 and cbhI genes. These findings indicate that NanoBP may dampen the Q₁₀ through constraining microbial functional traits. The study provides mechanistic insights into SOC mineralization responses under controlled conditions and may inform carbon management strategies in intensively managed bamboo forests, pending field-scale validation.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords

Biochar-based fertilizer / Enzymatic controls / Functional genes / Q₁₀ / Slow carbon pool

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Funding

National Key Research and Development Program of China(2022YFE0127800)

National Natural Science Foundation of China(32271845)

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

The Author(s)