Responses of nitrification and bacterial community in three size aggregates of paddy soil to both of initial fertility and biochar addition

Abstract Biochar has been suggested to increase the soil nutrient retention capacity. The interaction of biochar addition and soil initial fertility through modifying soil aggregates on soil bacterial community and nitrogen transformation is still unclear. A 60-day incubation experiment was conducted to investigate the influences of biochar addition on soil nitrification and associated nitrifying microbial community in three size aggregates of different derived soils. The results indicated that potential nitrification rates (PNRs) in three size soil aggregates of biochar addition treatment were significantly (P