Abstract

Current agriculture faces multiple challenges due to boom in food demand and environmental concerns. Biochar is increasingly being recognized by scientists and policy makers for its potential role in carbon sequestration, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy, waste mitigation and as a soil amendment. The purpose of this review is to provide a balanced perspective on the agronomic and environmental impacts of biochar amendment to soil. Application of biochar to soil can play a significant role in the alteration of nutrients dynamics, soil contaminants as well as microbial functions. Therefore, strategic biochar application to soil may provide agronomic, environmental and economic benefits. Recent findings also supported that in order to enhance crop yield, improve soil quality and soil health, biochar has proven significant role as fertilizer and soil conditioner respectively.

Highlights

  • The global food demand is anticipated to increase by 70% till 2050 with the burgeoning population [2] and meeting up this demand without compromising soil health and agroecosystem has turned into a big challenge in the agriculture sector

  • Biochar as a soil amendment is confronted with the challenge that it must benefit soil health as it can by no means be separated from soils once it is added

  • Ever-increasing population has paved the way to agricultural land depletion which needs to be controlled by adopting sustainable crop production practices

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Summary

Introduction

Agriculture plays an important role in shaping the global economy. Now-adays, food security is a major issue. Emerging issues of soil pollution, climate change andDesertification still remains to be iron out for the agriculture sector [1]. The global food demand is anticipated to increase by 70% till 2050 with the burgeoning population [2] and meeting up this demand without compromising soil health and agroecosystem has turned into a big challenge in the agriculture sector. Their excessive use is a serious concern because of their adverse impact on the environment and the entire food chain. Depletion in soil organic matter and soil nutrients, decline in agricultural productivity due to excess use of chemical fertilizers and changes in climate due to anthropogenic activities are posing great threats to the sustainability of agricultural production in the tropical regions. It is becoming important to use organic fertilizer along with inorganic fertilizer for improving sustainability and maintaining soil health. Biochar can reduce the risk of environmental pollutants (organic and inorganic) from soils by forming complexes or through sorption of organic compounds like herbicides [5]

Feedstocks/raw materials
Production process
Factors associated with biochar quality
Agricultural implications of biochar
Biochar as a soil amendment
Biochar as soil conditioner
Improving soil for crop production
Nutrient availability in soils
Stimulation of soil microflora and plant growth
Improving crop productivity
Biochar and carbon sequestration
Biochar and climate change
Reducing water pollution
Reduction of hazardous materials of environment
Role of biochar on soil health
Soil physical properties
Soil chemical properties
Soil biological sproperties
Limitation
Recommended practices for use of biochar in agriculture
Future prospects
Conclusion
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