An Overview of Biochar Application on Biological Soil Health Indicators and Greenhouse Gas Emission

Abstract

The rate of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission has been on the steady rise and pose a threat to the global climate affecting terrestrial ecosystems. Agricultural management practices are reported to be a major source of GHG emissions. Hence, climate adaptive management strategies intended to reduce GHG emissions are of pivotal importance to maintain healthy soil ecosystem functioning. Biochar, a vital material produced from controlled pyrolysis, when applied to soil has been proposed as an effective means of incorporating climate adaptive soil management strategies by enhancing soil physico-chemical as well as biological properties. This chapter reviews the various effects of biochar on the emission of two selected GHG (carbon dioxide [CO2] and nitrous oxide [N2O]) and biological soil health indicators. Biochar amended soil has been documented to not only increase carbon storage in soil but also help in mitigating GHG emissions like CO2 and N2O. The aromatic structure of biochar makes it very stable, and its slow-releasing form of carbon in the soil makes it highly essential for the sequestration of carbon on the long-term basis. Biochar properties like pyrolysis temperature, biochar feed stock quality, rate, and method of application influence soil biological properties on incorporation. Biochar addition to soil has many 144benefits including stimulation of specific soil microorganisms, soil enzymatic activity, and soil respiration which could lead to enhanced biological activity and nutrient cycling or retention.