Wheat straw hydrochar induced negative priming effect on carbon decomposition in a coastal soil.

ABSTRACT

The mechanisms underlying hydrochar-regulated soil organic carbon (SOC) decomposition in the coastal salt-affected soils were first investigated. Straw-derived hydrochar (SHC)-induced C-transformation bacterial modulation and soil aggregation enhancement primarily accounted for negative priming effects. Modification of soil properties (e.g., decreased pH and increased C/N ratios) by straw-derived pyrochar (SPC) was responsible for decreased SOC decomposition.