A two-year study conducted in China’s arid Horqin Sandy Land revealed promising results for improving soil quality and agricultural productivity using 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 and bentonite. Aeolian sandy soils, known for their poor water retention and low fertility, were amended with combinations of these materials to test their effects on soil properties and crop growth.

The results were compelling. Biochar, a carbon-rich material derived from biomassBiomass is a complex biological organic or non-organic solid product derived from living or recently living organism and available naturally. Various types of wastes such as animal manure, waste paper, sludge and many industrial wastes are also treated as biomass because like natural biomass these More, and bentonite, a clay mineral, improved water retention, increased nutrient availability, and enhanced soil structure. Key benefits included a 36.6% increase in corn yield and a 150.4% rise in cation exchange capacity (CEC), a measure of soil fertility. Soil microbial activity also flourished, with microbial carbon content more than doubling in the second year of application.

Furthermore, the study highlighted the climate benefits of biochar. The application of biochar sequestered carbon in the soil and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, offsetting up to 100 million tons of CO₂ annually. This makes it a potent tool for sustainable agriculture and carbon neutrality goals.

The mixed application of 1.9 t/ha of corn stalk biochar and 12 t/ha of bentonite yielded the best results, enhancing both soil health and crop performance. The findings underscore biochar and bentonite’s potential as eco-friendly soil amendments, especially in challenging environments, offering a pathway to improved food security and environmental resilience.

This research supports broader adoption of these amendments for sustainable agricultural practices in degraded lands worldwide.

Weijing, L., Jiaxi, T., Yu, L. et al. Biochar and bentonite application improves aeolian sandy soil health and enhances soil carbon sequestration and emission reduction potential. Sci Rep 15, 2205 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-86636-1