Recent developments in biochar as an effective tool for agricultural soil management: a review

Abstract

In recent years biochar has been demonstrated to be a useful amendment to sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emission from the soil to the atmosphere. Hence it can help to mitigate global environment change. Some studies have shown that biochar addition to agricultural soils increases crop production. The mechanisms involved are: increased soil aeration and water-holding capacity, enhanced microbial activity and plant nutrient status in soil, and alteration of some important soil chemical properties. This review provides an in-depth consideration of the production, characterization and agricultural use of different biochars. Biochar is a complex organic material and its characteristics vary with production conditions and the feedstock used. The agronomic benefits of biochar solely depend upon the use of particular types of biochar with proper field application rate under appropriate soil types and conditions. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Rehabilitation of degraded dryland ecosystems – review

“…The decrease in salinity was attributed to the leaching of soluble salts beyond the root zone and to less evaporation, which prevents the salt from rising to the root zone (Tejdor et al 2007). In recent years, biochar, produced by pyrolysis of different organic wastes, has gained increasing attention as soil conditioner for improving soil quality, plant growth and yield (Laghari et al 2016). Another technical solution is the use of synthetic polymers and biopolymers to improve soil physical properties, such as water retention and infiltration capacity of the soil.…”

Potential Environmental Benefits from Blending Biosolids with Other Organic Amendments before Application to Land

“…There are numerous publications describing the effects of adding organic amendments such as biochar, wood waste, composts, and lignite to soils (Laghari et al, 2016). Similarly, the beneficial and detrimental effects of biosolids addition to soil are well described.…”

Biochar potential in intensive cultivation of Capsicum annuum L. (sweet pepper): crop yield and plant protection

“…Adding organic matter back into soils is a major management strategy for helping to alleviate soil quality deterioration. Manure and compost are traditional and well‐studied amendments, while more recently there is a growing interest in adding biochar to soil to improve fertility and soil properties . Biochar is the solid, carbonaceous, low density co‐product of incomplete, anaerobic combustion of organic biomass by a process known as pyrolysis .…”

“…Manure and compost are traditional and well-studied amendments, while more recently there is a growing interest in adding biochar to soil to improve fertility and soil properties. 1,2 Biochar is the solid, carbonaceous, low density co-product of incomplete, anaerobic combustion of organic biomass by a process known as pyrolysis. 3 A variety of organic matter feedstocks, including forestry wastes, poultry litter, municipal solid wastes, crop residues, cattle manure and food industry wastes, can be used for production of biochar.…”