Biochar as Soil Amendment: Impact on Soil Properties and Sustainable Resource Management

• Main Author: De la Rosa, José M. (auth)
• Format: Electronic Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI - Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute 2020
• Subjects: Biology, life sciences; nutrient; essential oil quality; heavy metals; mean residence time; soil physics; crop growth; gas exchange attributes; pyrolysis; greenhouse experiment; water retention; qPCR; Ultisols; soil carbon dynamics; composted solid digestate; activated charcoal; excessive compost application; bacterial 16S rRNA gene; yield attributes; field experiment; soil fertility; nutrient cycling; grapevine planting material; germination; nutrient concentration; global warming; soil chemical properties; containerized production systems; water stress; sesame; hydrochar; soil health; biochar-ash pellet; gene expression; vineyard by-products; leaf chlorosis; slow pool; biochar; archaeal 16S rRNA gene; pore property; soil organic matter; hormone; rice yields; acidic undernourished soil; biochar particle size; fallen leaves; soil physical properties; pesticides; soil amendments; wheat; paper mill sludge; quality index; biosolids; dairy manure; cropping; Pelargonium graveolens; solid digestate; nitrogen; thermochemical property; biofertilizers; jatropha; 13C NMR; fertilizer; pyrochar; incubation; rice husk biochar; arid region; activated carbon; aging; soil chemistry; desert soil
• Online Access: DOAB: download the publication; DOAB: description of the publication

The role of biochar in improving soil fertility is increasingly being recognized and is leading to recommendations of biochar amendment of degraded soils. In addition, biochars offer a sustainable tool for managing organic wastes and to produce added-value products. The benefits of biochar use in agriculture and forestry can span enhanced plant productivity, an increase in soil C stocks, and a reduction of nutrient losses from soil and non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions. Nevertheless, biochar composition and properties and, therefore, its performance as a soil amendment are highly dependent on the feedstock and pyrolysis conditions. In addition, due to its characteristics, such as high porosity, water retention, and adsorption capacity, there are other applications for biochar that still need to be properly tested. Thus, the 16 original articles contained in this book, which were selected and evaluated for this Special Issue, provide a comprehensive overview of the biological, chemicophysical, biochemical, and environmental aspects of the application of biochar as soil amendment. Specifically, they address the applicability of biochar for nursery growth, its effects on the productivity of various food crops under contrasting conditions, biochar capacity for pesticide retention, assessment of greenhouse gas emissions, and soil carbon dynamics. I would like to thank the contributors, reviewers, and the support of the Agronomy editorial staff, whose professionalism and dedication have made this issue possible.