Research Progress on Effects of Biochar on Soil Environment and Crop Nutrient Absorption and Utilization

Peng Xu, Yuhong Gao (), Zhengjun Cui, Bing Wu, Bin Yan, Yifan Wang, Keranmu Zaitongguli, Ming Wen, Haidi Wang, Na Jing, Yingze Wang, Changyan Chao and Wenfang Xue
Additional contact information
Peng Xu: State Key Laboratory of Arid Land Crop Science, Lanzhou 730070, China
Yuhong Gao: State Key Laboratory of Arid Land Crop Science, Lanzhou 730070, China
Zhengjun Cui: State Key Laboratory of Arid Land Crop Science, Lanzhou 730070, China
Bing Wu: College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Bin Yan: State Key Laboratory of Arid Land Crop Science, Lanzhou 730070, China
Yifan Wang: State Key Laboratory of Arid Land Crop Science, Lanzhou 730070, China
Keranmu Zaitongguli: Department of Basic Teaching and Research, Xinjiang University of Science and Technology, XinJiang Korla 841000, China
Ming Wen: State Key Laboratory of Arid Land Crop Science, Lanzhou 730070, China
Haidi Wang: State Key Laboratory of Arid Land Crop Science, Lanzhou 730070, China
Na Jing: State Key Laboratory of Arid Land Crop Science, Lanzhou 730070, China
Yingze Wang: State Key Laboratory of Arid Land Crop Science, Lanzhou 730070, China
Changyan Chao: State Key Laboratory of Arid Land Crop Science, Lanzhou 730070, China
Wenfang Xue: State Key Laboratory of Arid Land Crop Science, Lanzhou 730070, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 6, 1-15

Abstract: As a by-product generated from the pyrolysis of biomass, biochar is extraordinary for improving the soil environment of agricultural fields, improving soil fertility, and promoting nutrient uptake and the utilization of crops. In recent years, breakthroughs in progress have been made regarding the fertility value of biochar and in investigations into the physicochemical properties of soil and into plant nutrient utilization. This review focuses on the physicochemical and biological properties of soil, on soil pollution remediation, on greenhouse gas emissions, and on the effects of biochar on the uptake and utilization of soil nutrients and plant nutrients, as well as on the preparation of biochar, and on biochar produced under different conditions. The results of the relevant studies show that the main characteristics of biochar depend on the biochemical properties and pyrolysis temperature of raw materials, which play an important role in nutrient transport and transformation in the soil. At low temperatures (≤400 ℃), the biochar prepared from manure and waste contains a large amount of nitrogen, which can be used as a nutrient source for plants. In addition, biochar enhances soil fertilizer retention by reducing soil nutrient loss, which in turn promotes nutrient uptake and utilization by crops. By controlling pyrolysis temperature and by optimizing biochar input, one can effectively reduce soil respiration, as well as reduce carbon emissions to achieve the goal of controlling carbon sources and increasing carbon sinks. Therefore, a long-term series of mapping studies on the effects of biochar application on agricultural ecosystems should be conducted, which in turn, it is hoped, will provide a theoretical reference for the physiological and ecological effects of biochar croplands.

Keywords: biochar; soil; soil nutrients; pyrolysis; microbes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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