The Importance of the Targeted Design of Biochar Physicochemical Properties in Microbial Inoculation for Improved Agricultural Productivity—A Review

Angelika Gryta, Kamil Skic, Agnieszka Adamczuk, Anna Skic, Magdalena Marciniak, Grzegorz Józefaciuk and Patrycja Boguta ()
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Angelika Gryta: Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Doświadczalna 4 Str., 20-290 Lublin, Poland
Kamil Skic: Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Doświadczalna 4 Str., 20-290 Lublin, Poland
Agnieszka Adamczuk: Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Doświadczalna 4 Str., 20-290 Lublin, Poland
Anna Skic: Department of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 28 Głęboka Str., 20-612 Lublin, Poland
Magdalena Marciniak: Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Doświadczalna 4 Str., 20-290 Lublin, Poland
Grzegorz Józefaciuk: Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Doświadczalna 4 Str., 20-290 Lublin, Poland
Patrycja Boguta: Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Doświadczalna 4 Str., 20-290 Lublin, Poland

Agriculture, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-43

Abstract: Biochar has great potential as a soil conditioner and as a carrier of beneficial microorganisms that support the removal of pollutants, influence the circulation of nutrients, and support plant growth. This review summarizes and discusses factors shaping the physicochemical properties of biochar, including feedstock, pyrolysis conditions, and accompanying processes used as post-pyrolysis modification to improve the functionality of biochar. Key physical and chemical properties such as high porosity and specific surface area, nutrient content, pH, and biochar functional groups are discussed in detail to show biochar’s potential as a carrier for microorganisms. This review also discusses and summarizes biological indicators that allow for assessing the quality and efficiency of the microbiological modifiers. Finally, this paper presents the benefits and limitations of biochar application to agriculture and provides recommendations for future research to improve the quality and expand the applicability of biochar-based inoculants.

Keywords: engineered biochar; modified biochar; microbial inoculants for agriculture; biochar-based carriers for microorganisms (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: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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