Potential of Biochar in Improving Soil Fertility and Carbon Sequestration

Abstract

Biochar is a carbon-impact material formed through the pyrolysis of biomass and has emerged as a potential solution for improving soil fertility and addressing climate change. This review paper discusses the numerous advantages of biochar with respect of enhancement of soil physical, chemical and biological properties. Biochar's porous structure and large surface area and cation exchange capacity (CEC) improve water retention, nutrient availability, and microbial activity, thereby increasing soil health and crop productivity. It is also alkaline in nature that can neutralize acidity of soils, which enhances availability of phosphorus. Apart from agriculture, biochar acts as a permanent carbon sink and can sequester carbon for hundreds of years while decreasing greenhouse gas emissions (such as CO₂, CH₄, N₂O). Different production techniques (pyrolysis, gasification, hydrothermal carbonization, torrefaction) were discussed, emphasizing the effect of different legal parameters of the production process on the characteristics of biochar. It has shown efficacy in reducing soil bulk density (BD), elevating organic carbon (OC), and improving aggregate stability under real-world conditions across field studies. While promising, many questions remain to be answered in terms of optimal rates of application and longer-term soil effects. In fact, in addition to the traditional use of Biochar, there are new frontiers for the improvement of this biochar and its application in nanotechnology to create novel nanomaterials and nanostructure composites for various green environmental applications, industrial biotechnology, and renewable energy production.