- Ghouili, E. , D’Astous-Pagé, J. , Hogue, R. , Muhovski, Y. , Nefissi, R. , Li, Z. , Souissi, F. , Jebara, M. & Abid, G. (2026). Combined compost and biochar application maximizes soil microbial resilience of barley crop grown under water deficit conditions. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, accepted:
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Année | 2026 |
| Titre | Combined compost and biochar application maximizes soil microbial resilience of barley crop grown under water deficit conditions |
| Abstract | Drought stress impairs plant growth soil fertility. Organic amendments like compost and biochar are increasingly recognized for their potential to mitigate environmental stresses in soil ecosystems. This study investigates their effects on the soil microbiome of a barley field under drought stress. Eight treatments were established under controlled conditions: CK (control), B (biochar), C (compost), CB (compost + biochar), D (drought stress), DB (drought + biochar), DC (drought + compost), and DCB (drought + compost + biochar). High-throughput MiSeq sequencing was employed to assess changes in microbial diversity and taxonomic composition across treatments. Our study showed that the bacteria-to-fungi ratio remained stable, while alpha and beta diversity varied across treatments. Proteobacteriota and Actinobacteriota dominated the prokaryotes communities, whereas Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were the main fungal phyla. Drought stress (D) significantly reduced microbial diversity. The DB-treatment slightly enhanced key decomposers such as Penicillium and some Proteobacteriota and Actinobacteriota but had a limited overall effect. The DC-treatment produced a more pronounced impact, promoting beneficial microbes such as Firmicuteota, Talaromyces, and Sordariales, while also stimulating opportunistic taxa like Alternaria, indicating a partially beneficial yet suboptimal outcome. In contrast, the DCB-treatment showed the most positive response, enhancing microbial groups involved in stress resistance, antibiotic production, and phosphorus solubilization. It also stimulated beneficial fungi that improve soil structure, water retention, and organic matter decomposition. Overall, DCB provided a synergistic and balanced stimulation of beneficial soil microbiota under drought stress, offering a promising strategy for sustaining soil fertility and plant health under environmental stress. |
| Fichier | |
| Journal | Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition |
| Volume | accepted |
| Date | 11 July 2026 |
| Endnote keywords | Barley, Biochar, Compost, Drought Stress, Soil Microbiome |
| Auteurs | Ghouili, E. , D’Astous-Pagé, J. , Hogue, R. , Muhovski, Y. , Nefissi, R. , Li, Z. , Souissi, F. , Jebara, M. & Abid, G. |