Recent study published in Agronomy for Sustainable Development , Muhammad Usman and colleagues investigated the combined effects of biocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More, silicon, and inorganic fertilizers on rice productivity, nutrient uptake, and methane (CH₄) emissions in calcareous soils. This two-year field experiment offers insights into sustainable approaches to enhance crop yields while mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.

Calcareous soils often limit nutrient availability due to nutrient adsorption on calcite surfaces. The research revealed that combining biochar with NPK fertilizers and silicon improved nutrient retention and crop performance. Biochar enhanced soil organic carbon content by 4.2–108.5% over two years, while treatments combining biochar and silicon significantly boosted phosphorus and silicon uptake.

The combination of ½NPK + biochar + 100 kg Si ha⁻¹ achieved the highest rice grain yield, comparable to NPK + 100 kg Si ha⁻¹, while using less fertilizer. Additionally, ½NPK + biochar + 50 kg Si ha⁻¹ reduced CH₄ emissions by 64.2% in 2020 and 31.5% in 2021, offering a balanced approach to sustain rice production and mitigate methane emissions.

Sole applications of biochar or biochar with silicon produced lower yields but were most effective in reducing CH₄ emissions. The findings suggest that integrating biochar with fertilizers and silicon offers a practical solution for improving rice cultivation in calcareous soils while addressing environmental concerns.

The study underscores the need for further research on the long-term effects of biochar application and economic analyses of these practices. These findings provide a foundation for sustainable agricultural practices that balance productivity with environmental stewardship.

SOURCE: Usman, M., Zhang, X., Wang, X., Ahmed, A., & Zhang, H. (2025). Sustaining productivity while reducing methane emission in calcareous soils: Implications of combining inorganic fertilizer and biochar. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 45(3), 1205-1215. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-025-87942-4