Combining biochar and basanite rock powder affects nutrient dynamics of a sandy agricultural soil

18 May 2026

Photo: UHH/E.Albrecht

Preparation of the fluorometric enzyme assay of the soil samples from the lysimeter experiment

Maria Ansari, Annette Eschenbach, and Joscha N. Becker from Soil Science at the University of Hamburg, together with colleagues from the University of Tübingen, Hochschule Geisenheim University, and the Ithaka Institute published their study  „Biochar dominated the combined effect of silicate rock powder and biochar application on extracellular enzyme kinetics and nutrient dynamics in a sandy soil“ in der Fachzeitschrift „Soil & Tillage Research“in Soil & Tillage Research.
The study investigated the effects of single and combined applications of biochar and a silicate rock powder in a nine-week lysimeter experiment, on microbially mediated nutrient cycling in a sandy agricultural soil. Both biochar and silicate rock powder are two soil-based amendments that are increasingly researched for their potential for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and soil fertility improvement. The findings highlight the potential of biochar-containing amendments for simultaneously improving soil fertility and contributing to climate change mitigation, while also pointing to the need for careful nitrogen management to prevent potential limitations.

More on the related project you can find here.