Systematic analysis of biochar performance on plant growth in soybean cropping system at marginal area in Germany and China

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is the most versatile plants in agricultural system due to its high protein and oil content and the ability to associate rhizobium for biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). The cultivation of soybean is expanding on marginal area, where no soybean were cultivated. Special cultivation measure are required in those area, to facilitate the soybean cultivation especially in terms of BNF and soil fertility. This study aimed to investigate the potential effect of biochar and irrigation on soybean plant growth, crop yield formation, N budgets variation, plant nutrients uptake, and soybean-rhizobium symbiotic performance based on the analysis of soil structure, soil nutrients dynamics, and soil enzyme activities. Three field trials were conducted to accomplish our goals in Germany and China in two years. We determined the plant biomass, plant nutrient concentrations, yield components, nodule parameters, soil enzyme activities, and soil-available nutrients.