Organic amendment strategies to enhance sandy soil health and carbon sequestration

Overview

This research collaboration investigates how organic amendments, specifically biochar and compost, can enhance the health of sandy soils by improving microbial communities and increasing carbon sequestration. Sandy soils typically have low organic matter content, poor water retention, and limited microbial diversity, making them less productive and more vulnerable to environmental stress. By combining biochar (a stable, carbon-rich material) with compost (a source of labile nutrients), this work explores whether integrated amendments can provide a continuous food supply for soil microbes, leading to greater carbon stabilization and improved physico-chemical and biological soil health.

The research addresses a critical knowledge gap: while individual effects of biochar and compost on soil microbes have been studied with mixed results, their combined impact—especially on sandy soils—remains largely unexplored. Findings will inform sustainable soil management practices for agriculture, land reclamation, and climate-smart land use.

Technical specifications

Research approach:

• Utilizes a recently established field trial at the Hermiston Agricultural Research & Extension Center (Oregon State University) with treatments including biochar alone, compost alone, and biochar combined with compost on sandy-textured soils
• Analyzes shifts in bacterial and fungal community structure using Next-Generation Sequencing to identify microbial taxa responding to each treatment
• Evaluates biological soil health attributes alongside hydrophysical property improvements (water retention, soil structure)
• Assesses overall soil health outcomes by linking microbial community changes to physico-chemical improvements
• Identifies microbial taxa associated with the best-performing treatments to determine indicators of soil health improvement

Team expertise:

• Dr. Scott Lukas leads the project across all stages, leveraging the established field trial
• Dr. Shikha Singh focuses on microbial community analysis and biological soil health metrics
• Dr. Amin Nouri evaluates hydrophysical property improvements in sandy soils

Technology readiness level

This research is at an early-to-mid stage of development, building on an already-established field trial at a recognized agricultural research center. The team is positioned to generate new empirical data on combined biochar-compost amendments in sandy soils—a combination not previously studied in this region. Validation is ongoing through the existing trial infrastructure, with future plans to expand findings into practical soil health recommendations. The work represents a collaborative research opportunity rather than a market-ready product, ideal for partners interested in advancing sustainable agriculture, soil health innovation, and carbon sequestration science.