The journal Horticulturae recently published an article by Rong Chen, Jie Yang, Wei Liu, and Chao Fan titled “Effects of Biochar on Soil Nutrients and Microorganisms in Litchi Seedling Cultivation.” Their research addresses a major challenge in fruit farming: the gradual loss of soil fertility and the imbalance of soil microbes caused by long-term orchard management. These issues often lead to poor fruit quality and lower yields for litchi, a globally popular fruit valued for its unique flavor. To solve this, the scientists tested how biochar could restore the soil’s natural vitality and nutrient levels.

The study’s findings highlight remarkable quantitative improvements in soil chemistry. When researchers added maize biochar at a 10 percent rate, they observed that nitrogen levels jumped by over 120 percent compared to untreated soil. Phosphorus and potassium levels also saw massive gains, with available phosphorus increasing by up to 241.99 percent in some treatments. Biochar also helped balance the soil’s acidity, raising the pHpH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline a substance is. A pH of 7 is neutral, while lower pH values indicate acidity and higher values indicate alkalinity. Biochars are normally alkaline and can influence soil pH, often increasing it, which can be beneficial More level to a more optimal range for plant growth. These changes are vital because they ensure that litchi seedlings have a steady supply of the minerals they need to build strong roots and healthy leaves.

Beyond just chemistry, biochar significantly remodeled the microscopic life living in the soil. The researchers found that biochar treatments increased the diversity of soil bacteria, specifically promoting groups like Acidobacteriota and Bacteroidota, which are known for helping plants cycle nutrients and resist stress. Interestingly, while bacterial diversity went up, the diversity of fungi decreased. This shift is often beneficial, as it can reduce the presence of fungal pathogens that attack plant roots. The porous structure of the biochar provides a “refuge” or home for these beneficial microbes, protecting them from environmental extremes and supporting their growth.

Soil enzymes, which act as the engine for soil life, also responded positively to the biochar. Activity levels for sucrase, an enzyme that helps break down organic matter into energy for the soil, increased by as much as 264.65 percent in some rice biochar treatments. This suggests that the soil becomes much more biologically active and efficient at processing nutrients when biochar is present. The study concludes that using biochar derived from common farm waste like corn and rice straw is a highly effective and feasible strategy for sustainable orchard management, helping farmers produce better fruit while protecting the long-term health of their land.

Source: Chen, R., Yang, J., Liu, W., & Fan, C. (2026). Effects of biochar on soil nutrients and microorganisms in litchi seedling cultivation. Horticulturae, 12(1), 119.