Synergistic Effects of Biochar and Pseudomonas spp. on Plant Growth Stimulation and Biodegradation of Pollutants

Abstract

Abstract The integration of biochar with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), particularly Pseudomonas spp., is increasingly considered a promising strategy for addressing both agricultural and environmental challenges. However, studies specifically focusing on this interaction remain limited. This review therefore summarizes current knowledge on how biochar– Pseudomonas systems influence plant growth and pollutant degradation. The main approaches used to combine these components include adsorption, embedding, co-inoculation, and co-application. Available evidence indicates that the combined use of biochar and Pseudomonas can significantly influence soil physicochemical properties and nutrient cycling, which in turn contributes to improved crop productivity and enhanced tolerance to abiotic stress. Biochar provides a protective, porous habitat that stimulates bacterial survival, extracellular polymeric substance production, and catabolic enzyme activity. The efficacy of these systems is highly variable and depends on biochar feedstock, pyrolysis temperature, and soil type. At the same time, the effects of biochar– Pseudomonas interactions are strongly dependent on environmental conditions, such as soil type, and the nature of the contaminants. Therefore, further research should focus on long-term field experiments and the application of multi-omics approaches to better understand the mechanisms underlying these interactions and to support their practical implementation.