Effects of Biochar Application on Soil Properties, Plant Biomass Production, and Soil Greenhouse Gas Emissions: A Mini-Review

Biochar has been applied extensively as a soil amendment over the past decades. This review summarizes the general findings of the impacts of biochar application on different aspects from soil physical, chemical, and microbial properties, to soil nutrient availabilities, plant growth, biomass production and yield, greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions, and soil carbon sequestration. Due to different biochar pyrolysis conditions, feedstock types, biochar application rates and methods, and potential interactions with other factors such as plant species and soil nutrient conditions, results from those studies are not inclusive. However, most studies reported positive effects of biochar application on soil physical and chemical properties, soil microbial activities, plant biomass and yield, and potential reductions of soil GHG emissions. A framework of biochar impacts is summarized, and possible mechanisms are discussed. Further research of biochar application in agriculture is called to verify the proposed mechanisms involved in biochar-soil-microbial-plant interactions for soil carbon sequestration and crop biomass and yield improvements.