Biochar for Mitigation of Heat Stress in Crop Plants

Abstract

Global warming is accelerating heat stress in plants, thus requiring agricultural strategies for the global food security. For instance, soil modification can be used to minimize the effect of heat stress on crops. Here we review the incorporation of biochar in soil to mitigate heat stress, and its detail mechanisms. Soil amendment with biochar improves the physio-chemical characteristics of soil, with an increase of 56% of organic matter and of 5% of the bulk density under heat stress. Similarly, 235–561% higher surface area, root length, and dry weight of rice plant under stress are observed by addition of biochar under heat stress. Biochar also restores pollen fertility of rice. Biochar amendment in soil can increase the supply of photosynthetic products, thereby enhancing crop biomass, grain weight by 15% and yield by 13%.