Valorizing biomass to engineered biochar and its impact on soil, plant, water, and microbial dynamics: a review

Abstract

Till date there is not much concrete data available linking valorization of biomass-derived engineered biochar for soil, plant, water system, and microbial dynamics under changing climatic conditions. This review article deals with the abovementioned burning topic by collection of world literature. It summarizes the conversion of biomass into biochar, their characterization, and pyrolysis influence on composition. Besides it discusses about biomass through biochar which can help to establish a relationship with soil, plant, and water to manage soil fertility–related issues and microbe interactions. Biochar addition exerts measurable changes in carbon footprint, physicochemical and biological soil properties, nutrient sorption-retention, water retention, crop production, and nutrient leaching. Mechanistic evidences of biochars’ potential on soil biology, systemic resistance, carbon mineralization kinetics and N2-fixation, and mycorrhizal colonization were mentioned in this review article. The recalcitrance, pore space, surface morphology, and pH of biochar on soil, plant, water system, and microbes are found to be controlled by biomass type, pyrolysis temperature, biotic interactions, etc. Biochar with fertilizer integration offers an improved soil management strategy, and therefore, biomass valorization through its application in soil, plant, water, and microbial dynamics comes out as a “win-win strategy” for adequate climate change mitigation and environmental eco-friendly technology.