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Biochar has the potential to influence methanogenesis which is a key component of global carbon cycling. However, the mechanisms governing biochar’s influence on methanogenesis is not well understood, especially its effects on interspecies relationships between methanogens and anaerobic bacteria (e.g., Geobacteraceae). To understand how different types of biochar influence methanogenesis, biochars derived from rice straw (RB), wood chips (WB), and manure (MB) were added to the methanogenic enrichment culture system of a paddy soil. Compared to the nonbiochar control, RB and MB additions accelerated methanogenesis remarkably, showing 10.7 and 12.3-folds higher methane production rate, respectively; while WB had little effect on methanogenesis. Using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and electrochemical methods, RB and MB also had higher redox …