Biochar application to low fertility soils: A review of current status, and future prospects
Highlights
- • Biochar has potential to be the best management practice for low fertility soils.
- • Biochar coating with organic materials can result in enhanced crop nutrient supply.
- • Biochar may accelerate the composting process and improve the end-product quality.
- • The influence of biochar varies strongly according to the types of feedstock/soil.
Abstract
Rapid
industrial development and human activities have caused a degradation
of soil quality and fertility. There is increasing interest in
rehabilitating low fertility soils to improve crop yield and sustainability. Biochar, a carbonaceous material
intentionally produced from biomass, is widely used as an amendment to
improve soil fertility by retaining nutrients and, potentially,
enhancing nutrient bioavailability. But, biochar is not a simple carbon material with uniform properties, so appropriate biochar selection must consider soil type
and target crop. In this respect, many recent studies have evaluated
several modification methods to maximize the effectiveness of biochar
such as optimizing the pyrolysis process, mixing with other soil amendments, composting with other additives, activating by physicochemical processes,
and coating with other organic materials. However, the economic
feasibility of biochar application cannot be neglected. Strategies for
reducing biochar losses and its application costs, and increasing its
use efficiency need to be developed. This review synthesized current
understanding and introduces holistic and practical approaches for
biochar application to low fertility soils, with consideration of
economic aspects.
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