Practicality of Biochar Additions to Enhance Soil and Crop Productivity

David M. Filiberto and John L. Gaunt
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David M. Filiberto: Employment and Disability Institute, ILR School, Cornell University, 306 Dolgen Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
John L. Gaunt: Carbon Consulting LLC, 304 The Parkway, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA

Agriculture, 2013, vol. 3, issue 4, 1-11

Abstract: The benefits of biochar to soils for agricultural purposes are numerous. Biochar may be added to soils with the intention to improve the soil, displace an amount of conventional fossil fuel based fertilizers, and sequester carbon. However, the variable application rates, uncertain feedstock effects, and initial soil state provide a wide range of cost for marginally improved yield from biochar additions, which is often economically impracticable. The need for further clarity on optimizing biochar application to various crop yields is necessary if it is to gain widespread acceptance as a soil amendment.

Keywords: biochar; carbon sequestration; economic analysis; soil amendment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (11)

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