Maize biochars accelerate short-term soil nitrogen dynamics in a loamy sand soil

► Upon maize biochar addition NH4+-nitrogen (N) was quickly adsorbed. ► Biochar accelerated various soil N transformation processes in the short term. ► Biochar transferred soil N from a recalcitrant to a labile pool in the short term. ► Biochar addition to soil increased gross nitrification rates in the short term.