Effects of Biochar in Soil Chemical and Biological Property and Mitigating Climate Change: Review

Abstract

Biochar is a solid material obtained from the carbonization of any biomass including weeds, crop residues and other wastes of plant origin. Currently, the use of biochar has got scientific attention in agriculture sector. Using renewable energy from noncompetitive waste residue is now a day becoming a commercial reality. I review here the role of biochar in improving soil chemical and biota property of soil and mitigation of climate change. Biochar addition to the soil is a promising option for improving soil chemical property by improving cation exchange capacity (CEC) and soil pH and reducing exchangeable acidity of the soil. Also biochar was found to increase soil biota, through increasing nutrient availability, enhancing habitat suitability, increasing water retention and aeration and reducing toxic chemicals in the soil. Biochar has a significant role in climate change mitigation through sequestration of carbon in the soil and reduction of nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) gas emissions to atmosphere by improving uptake of the soil. However, some fundamental mechanism and manipulation of biochar remain understandable and need further investigation.

Keywords: Biochar , climate change mitigation , soil biota , soil physiochemical properties