Summary
This review, published in iScience in 2025, synthesises the current literature on biochar — from feedstock selection and pyrolysis conditions through to field-level outcomes — as a soil amendment for enhancing fertility and microbial diversity. Drawing on an international body of evidence, it likely covers the mechanisms by which biochar modifies soil structure, nutrient retention, and microbial habitat, while acknowledging variability in outcomes depending on biochar type and application context. The multi-institutional authorship spanning India, Bangladesh, and other countries suggests a broad, globally oriented perspective on biochar's agricultural utility.
UK applicability
Biochar research is increasingly relevant to UK soil health policy, particularly in the context of the Sustainable Farming Incentive and efforts to rebuild soil organic matter; however, practitioners should note that biochar performance is highly context-dependent and findings from tropical or subtropical soils may not translate directly to UK temperate conditions without site-specific trials.
Key measures
Soil pH; cation exchange capacity (CEC); soil organic carbon; microbial diversity indices; nutrient availability (N, P, K); crop yield responses
Outcomes reported
The review examines how biochar, derived from various feedstocks and production methods, influences soil chemical and physical properties, nutrient availability, and the diversity and activity of soil microbial communities. It likely synthesises evidence on biochar's role in improving crop productivity and soil health across a range of agricultural contexts.
Topic tags
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