Biochar for ameliorating soil fertility and microbial diversity: From production to action of the black gold
Ighalo J.O. Ohoro C.R. Ojukwu V.E. Oniye M. Shaikh W.A. Biswas J.K. Seth C.S. Mohan G.B.M. Chandran S.A. Rangabhashiyam S.
17 January 2025Elsevier Inc.
iScience
2025#28Issue 1
This article evaluated different production strategies, characteristics, and applications of biochar for ameliorating soil fertility and microbial diversity. The biochar production techniques are evolving, indicating that newer methods (including hydrothermal and retort carbonization) operate with minimum temperatures, yet resulting in high yields with significant improvements in different properties, including heating value, oxygen functionality, and carbon content, compared to the traditional methods. It has been found that the temperature, feedstock type, and moisture content play critical roles in the fabrication process. The alkaline nature of biochar is attributed to surface functional groups and addresses soil acidity issues. The porous structure and oxygen-containing functional groups contribute to soil microbial adhesion, affecting soil health and nutrient availability, improving plant root morphology, photosynthetic pigments, enzyme activities, and growth even under salinity stress conditions. The review underscores the potential of biochar to address diverse agricultural challenges, emphasizing the need for further research and application-specific considerations.
Soil biology , Soil ecology , Soil science
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Department of Chemical Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, P. M. B. 5025, Nigeria
Tim Taylor Department of Chemical Engineering, Kansas State University, Manhattan, 66506, KS, United States
Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, 11 Hoffman St, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
Department of Chemical and Material Science, School of Engineering and Digital Sciences, Nazarbayev University, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan
Department of Basic Science, School of Science and Technology, The Neotia University, West Bengal, Sarisha, 743368, India
Enviromicrobiology, Ecotoxicology and Ecotechnology Research Laboratory (3E-MicroToxTech Lab), International Centre for Ecological Engineering & Department of Ecological Studies, University of Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal, Kalyani, 741235, India
Department of Botany, University of Delhi, Delhi, New Delhi, 110007, India
Department of Cellular Biology, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases (CTEGD), University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed to be University, Tamil Nadu, Thanjavur, 613401, India
Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Engineering and Sciences, SRM University-AP, Andhra Pradesh, Amaravati, 522240, India
Department of Chemical Engineering
Tim Taylor Department of Chemical Engineering
Water Research Group
Department of Chemical and Material Science
Department of Basic Science
Enviromicrobiology
Department of Botany
Department of Cellular Biology
School of Chemical and Biotechnology
Department of Environmental Science and Engineering
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