In a recent study published in BMC Plant Biology, Chen et al., investigated the potential of biochar-based organic fertilizers (BFs) to alleviate CCO in tobacco and enhance its yield and quality. The researchers conducted a two-year field experiment involving the application of wood, rice straw, and compound biochar-based organic fertilizers (WBF, RBF, CBF) under tobacco rotation with broad bean and oilseed rape, respectively.  

The study found that BFs significantly decreased tobacco morbidity and heavy metal contents while improving leaf yield, economic value, and chemical quality compared to chemical fertilizer (CF). The application of BFs enhanced rhizosphere soil chemical properties and microbial community structure and diversity. Specifically, BFs increased soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and available phosphorus, creating a more fertile environment for tobacco growth. Moreover, BFs promoted the abundance of beneficial microbes, such as Bacillus and Trichoderma, while suppressing detrimental ones, like Alternaria and Fusarium. This shift in microbial community structure contributed to improved soil health and disease suppression.  

The researchers also observed that soil total carbon, microbial structure, and diversity were the most important factors contributing to the increase in tobacco leaf yield and economic value. The study concluded that BFs application under a rotation regime is a promising strategy to alleviate tobacco CCO by providing an optimized soil environment. This approach not only enhances tobacco production but also promotes sustainable agriculture by utilizing biocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More, a renewable resource derived from organic waste.  

Source: Chen, D., Zhou, Y., Wang, G., Dai, K., Li, J., Song, X., Xu, Y., Cui, Y., & Yang, X. (2025). Biochar-based organic fertilizer application promotes the alleviation of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) continuous cropping obstacles by improving soil chemical properties and microbial community structure. BMC Plant Biology, 25(1), 271.   https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-06266-7