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1 Potential effects of biochar on soil's biological, chemical, and physical properties (Modified from O'Toole and Rasse 2017)
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Soil, like human, must have good health to function well. This condition can only be achieved when its biological, chemical, and physical aspects are in their optimal capacity and in balance. Such requirements could be partially met by using biochar as a soil amendment. More specifically, biochar is a solid material, high (>50%) in organic carbon (...
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Physical and Chemical Properties of Biochar. Effect of Biochar on Soil Physical, Hydrological, Chemical and Biological Properties. Biochar and Crop Productivity.
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Biochar, carbon-rich materials produced during the thermochemical processing of biomass, are receiving increased attention given their potential value as soil amendments. Biochar are formed through pyrolysis processes—heating to several hundred degrees Celsius under oxygen-limited environments—and both the source feedstock and the reaction conditio...
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Citations
... Due to their size and ability to retain water, biochar pores provide bacteria and fungi with refuge, protecting them from dehydration and predation. Because fungi prefer acidic or alkaline environments and bacteria prefer nearly neutral pH, pH variations caused by biochar application may have an effect on the microbial communities in the soils to which it is applied, thereby further altering the food chain (Hue, 2020). According to Hue (2020), biochar improves the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils, particularly degraded and nutrient-poor soils. ...
... Because fungi prefer acidic or alkaline environments and bacteria prefer nearly neutral pH, pH variations caused by biochar application may have an effect on the microbial communities in the soils to which it is applied, thereby further altering the food chain (Hue, 2020). According to Hue (2020), biochar improves the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils, particularly degraded and nutrient-poor soils. The findings of the study suggest that biochar could be a useful soil amendment in a number of ways, including enhancing the soil's physical and chemical properties, such as organic matter, cation exchange capacity, bulk density, porosity, and aggregation capacity (Ghadirnezhad Shiade et al., 2023). ...
The chapter explores the interrelationship between biochar and soil microorganisms, focusing on the role of biochar as a growth promoter and its effects on soil contaminants. Biochar and microorganism interactions are intricate and multifaceted. Biochar–microbe interactions, the dissipation and transformation of contaminants, and the immobilization of contaminants are discussed. Various interactions between biochar and soil microorganisms are also investigated. Overall, this review highlights the potential of biochar to promote soil microbial activity and mitigate the impacts of contaminants, while emphasizing the need for further research in this field.
... In contrast to remediation techniques such leaching, soil washing or excavation of heavy metals; biochar stabilizes heavy metals in the soil, emanating in reduced solubility and bioavailability of elements [7,88]. Metal(loid) soil contamination is a problem that affects the entire world [89,90]. ...
Many techniques have been employed in restoring the health of physically, chemically and biologically degraded soils. Some of these techniques are expensive, time consuming and may involve soil excavation or chemical treatments with numerous washes in some cases. There is a novel technique that is cheap, can restore the properties of a degraded soil, mitigate climate change and sequestrate carbon in the soil. That technique is the biochar technology. In this review, we’ll look at biochar technology as an ameliorant in improving impoverished soils. Biochar is a carbon-rich substance that is produced when biomass (feedstock) is subjected to a thermal decomposition process under limited oxygen called pyrolysis. Biochar can be used to ameliorate soil acidity and alkalinity depending on the feedstock. It has advantages such as increasing cation exchange capacity, soil carbon and nutrient in the soil. Biochar can be inoculated with specific organisms for pollutant breakdown and acts as a habitat for naturally occurring microbes; by binding pollutants in the soil through the process of bioaccumulation, sorption, electrostatic attraction and precipitation, it acts as a remediation agent. However, the feedstock, pyrolysis temperature, and heating period can all affect the properties of biochar and its biological processes.
... A CEC value ranging from 3 up to 200 cmolc 1 /kg is indicative of the existence of oxygencontaining functional groups. A CEC is essential to eliminate acid rock from BC and cationic persistent organic pollutants (Hue, 2020). Hue (2020) noted that greater nutrient holding occurs once BC is added to soils, due to improved CEC. ...
... A CEC is essential to eliminate acid rock from BC and cationic persistent organic pollutants (Hue, 2020). Hue (2020) noted that greater nutrient holding occurs once BC is added to soils, due to improved CEC. ...
... Liming agents such as BC can have calcium carbonate equivalents ranging from 5% to 30%, depending on their characteristics. According to Hue (2020), liming increases soil pH levels and reduces aluminum and manganese availability. Additionally, BC enhances nutrient-use efficiency by improving nitrogen retention and absorption by plants (Berek et al., 2018;Wang et al., 2017a,b). ...
... Although the use of soil fungicides weakens microbial memory, it directly affects the turnover of nutrients in the soil, which is detrimental to subsequent nutrient uptake by the plants. The addition of biochar replenishes early nutrients, facilitating nutrient uptake and utilization by plants (Hue 2020). Biochar can also absorb some chemicals in the soil and promote plant growth. ...
Aims
The introduction of non-native plant species often leads to extensive colonization of land and poses a threat to the already limited resources of arable land. Restoring invaded land and improving soil fertility are therefore essential.
Methods
In this study, biochar from invader Chromolaena odorata and fungicide were jointly used to improve soil invaded by this species.
Results
The results show that fungicide increase the total biomass of the subsequent plants grown in the invaded soil. The soil fungicide reduces the occurrence of pathogenic fungi in invaded soil and at the same time promotes the recruitment of mycorrhizal fungi and saprophytic fungi by the plants. The addition of biochar to the invaded soil has a negative legacy effect on subsequent invasive plants, while it exerts a positive enhancement effect on native plants. The simultaneous application of biochar and fungicide to soils invaded by alien plants can effectively diminish the competitive advantage of invasive species, while biochar can markedly increase the competitive advantage of native plants.
Conclusions
This study proposes a remediation method for legacy effect after alien plant invasion that not only effectively controls the spread of alien plants, but also improves soil fertility and increases economic benefits.
... Biochar is a material with a high content of carbon and produced from forestry and agricultural biomass residues (Shareef and Zhao, 2016). Biochar can bind cations such as NH₄⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ due to its abundance of negative functional groups on the surface (Hue, 2020). Biochar addition to the soil can enhance the plant growth and yield because it can increase nutrient retention, improve habitat for microorganisms, improve soil structure, and increase nutrient absorption by plants (Rawat et al., 2019). ...
Basil is a plant that can be cultivated in Psamment (coastal sandy soil). Basil requires nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S), so the N-S balance is needed to obtain optimal results. Psamment contains low colloid, causing nutrients to be barely bound and easily lost. Zeolite and biochar can be a solution. This study aimed to determine the composition and frequency of fertilization, as well as the use of soil amendment for basil growth. This research consisted of two interrelated studies arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design. The research was conducted in Bugel, Panjatan, Kulon Progo, and the analysis was performed at the Soil Department Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada. The first study consisted of two factors, namely Urea-ZA composition (0:0, 60:40, 70:30, 80:20, 90:10, and 100:0) and frequency of fertilization (every 1 and 2 weeks). The application of Urea-ZA (80:20) gave the best fresh-dry weight, N-S content, and N-S uptake of basil, and this result was used as the reference for the second study. The second study consisted of two factors, namely Urea-ZA fertilizer doses (50%, 75%, and 100%), and types and doses of soil amendment (without amendment, zeolite 7.5 t/ha, zeolite 15 t/ha; biochar 7.5 t/ha, and biochar 15 t/ha). It can be concluded that soil amendments application improved the chemical properties of psamment, fresh-dry weight, N-S content, and N-S uptake of basil. Furthermore, biochar and zeolite could increase the effectiveness of fertilization, so the dose of Urea-ZA fertilizer could be reduced until 50%.
... In addition to being high in carbon, biochar also includes tiny levels of calcium (0.1-8.5%), phosphorus (1-4.5%), potassium, and nitrogen (0.5-2%) as reported by Hue, (2020). (The potential of biochar to mitigate climate change and improve soil fertility has attracted significant research attention in recent years. ...
Biochar, a carbon-rich material produced
through the pyrolysis of biomass, has gained
attention in recent years due to its potential
benefits for agriculture, environmental
remediation, and renewable energy
production. Biochar can improve soil health,
sequester carbon, and reduce greenhouse gas
emissions. It can also serve as a substrate for green infrastructure and vegetation. This paper provides an overview of the production
techniques, sources, modifications and
activation, and environmental and
agricultural applications of biochar. The
performance of biochar as a substrate for
green infrastructure and vegetation are also
discussed.
... The greater carbonization suggests a more aromatic structure (Chatterjee et al., 2020;Pariyar et al., 2020), as this increases aromaticity proportionally with biochar carbon content (Hassan et al., 2020;Wiedemeier et al., 2015). Biochar carbon is mostly aromatic and formed in condensed polyaromatic clusters at high pyrolysis temperature (Chia et al., 2015;Hue, 2020;Kleber et al., 2015;Weber & Quicker, 2018). High pyrolysis temperature had a larger effect on the carbon content of wood biochar than switchgrass biochar and corn stover biochar (Figure 2). ...
... High pyrolysis temperature produced biochar with higher pH values than low temperature (Figure 1d). The increase in biochar pH is mainly because of the destruction of acidic functional groups and the formation of basic functional groups (Hue, 2020;Tomczyk et al., 2020). With temperature increasing during pyrolysis, the C≡C, C=C and C=O bonds break down and aromatic rings form; these aromatic rings contain more hydroxyl groups, and thus increase biochar pH (Hassan et al., 2020). ...
... Similarly, the increase in biochar pore volume at high pyrolysis temperature for wood biochar is mainly because of the increase in micro-pore volume caused by the release of volatile compounds (Ahmed et al., 2016;Hue, 2020). Additionally, switchgrass biochar had larger pore volume than corn stover biochar and wood biochar regardless of pyrolysis temperature (Figure 1g). ...
Biochar amendment to soil is utilized globally as an approach to enhance carbon storage and to improve soil functioning. However, biochar characteristics and related improvements of soil functioning depend on biochar production conditions. Systematic evaluation of corresponding biochar characteristics is needed for more targeted and efficient biochar application strategies. Herein, we systematically review the effects of biochar pyrolysis temperature (175−950 °C) and feedstock (corn stover, switchgrass, wood) on selected biochar characteristics (carbon content, H/C ratio, nitrogen content, pH, specific surface area, ash content, pore volume). These specific characteristics were selected as being pertinent to soil organic carbon sequestration and soil health improvement. Despite numerous studies on these topics, few have numerically quantified the effects of pyrolysis temperature. Our results show that high pyrolysis temperature (> 500 °C) increased carbon content and pore volume for wood biochar compared to low pyrolysis temperature (≤ 500 °C). The high pyrolysis temperature decreased the H/C ratio and nitrogen content but increased pH, specific surface area, and ash content regardless of feedstock. Compared to corn stover biochar and switchgrass biochar, wood biochar had higher carbon content and larger specific surface area but lower nitrogen and ash contents regardless of pyrolysis temperature. The higher biochar carbon content might be derived from higher lignin and cellulose contents of wood feedstock. Wood feedstock had 76−109% more lignin and 27−47% more cellulose than corn stover and switchgrass. Corn stover biochar had higher pH, and switchgrass biochar had larger pore volume than wood biochar. Our study indicates that the targeted production of biochar with specific characteristics can be facilitated by the selection of pyrolysis temperature and feedstock type. For amending soil with biochar, more operationally defined biochar production conditions and feedstock selection might be a way forward to wider acceptance and better predictability of biochar performance under field conditions.
... The carbon stability and aromaticity of biochar are vary depending on the feedstock material, temperature, and pyrolysis technique used (Weber and Quicker, 2018). Biochar has shown a unique capacity to improve soil fertility and nutrient use efficiency in a sustainable way (Hue, 2020). The incorporation of biochar into the soil influences the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil ( Figure 1). ...
... In contrast to these findings, Agegnehu et al. (2015) observed that willow wood-derived biochar (550 °C) did not change the pH of Ferralsol. Alkaline pH, copious reactive surface functional groups, high CEC, mineral content, and labile C (5-10% of total fixed C) of biochar improve soil fertility (Hue, 2020). The biochar-amended weathered soil has depicted an increase in the CEC by significantly increasing the exchangeable K + , Ca2 + , and Mg2 + contents in the soil (Jien and Wang, 2013;Ndor et al., 2015;Peng et al., 2011). ...
Biochar is a carbon-rich material resulting from the pyrolysis of plant and animal biomass. Biochar has a long history as a soil amendment for centuries since the Mayan civilization. Attaining sustainability in agriculture is not easy; however, the addition of biochar may reduce the adverse effects of numerous malpractices in conventional agriculture. Biochar benefits soil physicochemical properties such as soil bulk density, aggregate stability, porosity, water holding capacity and soil organic carbon content. However, it is essential to focus on the negative aspects of biochar in terms of atmospheric emissions during the production and occupational health and safety at the time of use. Still, there are many benefits and detriments of the application of biochar, i.e., the priming effect; thus, this review highlights the importance of further research on the application of biochar as a soil amendment. It has been understood that the lack of long-term field studies in various soils using commercially produced biochar may restrict the knowledge of biochar's true potential and effect on soil nutrient dynamics, microbial structure, and crop yield. Keywords: Land degradation, Biochar, Nutrient retention, Soil quality, Microbial community
... Biochar is a substance that has shown great promise in maintaining environmental health alongside soil (Chen et al. 2020;Hue et al. 2020) and plant health (Solaiman et al. 2010;Biederman and Harpole 2013). The properties of biochar are affected by the nature of feedstock material and the method of pyrolysis ( Figure 1) (Tan et al. 2017;Weber and Quicker 2018;Tomczyk et al. 2020;Wan et al. 2020). ...
Sustainable agriculture has been consistently challenged due to the menace of changing climate, thereby, causing depletion in carrying capacity of soil vis-à-vis agronomic response of crop. Of late, biochar has turned out to be the most promising option to address these issues. The present review takes stock of the research work accrued under varied agro-pedological conditions, highlighting the response of biochar in a soil-plant-environment continuum. The properties of biochar depended hugely on the source of feedstock and pyrolysis conditions, with its uniqueness resting with high specific surface area and stable carbon source, pre-disposing to better soil health associated crop responses. However, the current biochar recommendations for different crops are high, unless evaluated in combination with fertilizers or organic manures to address both short-term and long-term benefits through soil carbon mediated nutrient supply chain for sustainable crop performance. The role of biochar in scavenging the soil pollutants and pesticide residues, and reducing the emission of greenhouse gases has perched this carbon source with an added advantage over other conventionally used carbon sources. Authors have put forward future issues with an emphasis on the development of crop-based value-chain management of biochar.
... Similarly, available K was increased from 88.3 kg ha -1 (CK) to 117.1, 166.7, 203.6, 173, 143.8, and 130.6 kg ha -1 upon addition of BC, CM, PM, CU, BF, and urea-N respectively (Table 2). This indicates that biochar acts as an absorbent of applied organic fertilizers and retains nutrients such as N, P, and K due to its larger porous surface area and functional groups (Hue, 2020) fertilizers. This is mainly due to the formation of organic coatings in biochar pores, which can absorb and retain a higher amount of N and P in soil solution (Hagemann et al., 2017;Kammann et al., 2015). ...
Declining soil fertility and nutrient availability are one of the major threats to reducing crop productivity in Nepal. A field experiment was conducted to assess the potential of biochar (10 t ha-1) blended with organic and inorganic fertilizers on improving soil fertility and radish productivity in Morang district, Nepal. Biochar was prepared from locally available twigs, branches, and wood using the soil pit “Kon tiki” method. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with 7 treatments having four replications viz., control (CK), biochar (BC), biochar + cattle manure (CM), biochar + poultry manure (PM), biochar + cattle urine (CU), biochar + commercial biofertilizers (BF) and biochar + inorganic fertilizers (urea-N). The nitrogen rate used in all the treatments was equivalent to 100 kg ha-1. The agronomic effect of biochar blended organic amendments was compared with control and inorganic urea-N treatments. Biochar amended plots showed significantly higher soil pH (6.5), organic matter (4%), total N% (0.8%), available P (80.1 kg ha-1), and K (203.6 kg ha-1) compared with control. CM increased marketable yield by 320% (63 t ha-1) and biomass yield by 198% (100 t ha-1) compared with control (15.0 t ha-1 and 34 t ha-1) of marketable and biomass yield, respectively. CM increased marketable yield by 44% compared with the urea-N treatment (44 t ha-1). Moreover, net return was observed highest with CM treatment among all the organic and urea-N treatments. The study suggests that the combination of biochar with locally produced cattle manure has the potential to increase radish productivity and could compete with mineral nitrogen fertilizers while producing similar or even higher crop yields and economic returns.
