The Journal of Experimental Agriculture International published this research by Chandan Bisoyi, Smith Barina, L. K. Behera, A. A. Mehta, S. M. Patel, S. A. Huse, G. Arunjyoti, and Akash D. Thorat. Their systematic review examines how biochar, a carbon-dense material produced by heating organic waste in low-oxygen environments, serves as a transformative amendment for nursery growing media. Traditional nursery substrates often struggle with poor structural stability and nutrient depletion, which can lead to high mortality rates for young trees. By integrating biochar into these mixes, foresters can produce more resilient seedlings capable of withstanding the rigors of reforestation and climate change.

The findings highlight a massive impact on the physical growth of tropical tree species. In one instance, seedlings grown with sewage sludge biochar saw a 500 percent increase in shoot dry mass compared to unfertilized control groups. Other tropical varieties like the peanut shell biochar-amended Afzelia africana reached maximum dry 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 levels of over 60 grams. These improvements are not limited to just weight; the study noted significant advancements in seedling height, stem diameter, and the overall number of leaves. Such robust early growth is critical because it directly correlates to higher survival rates once the seedlings are moved from the protected nursery environment to permanent forest sites.

Temperate species also show remarkable benefits, particularly regarding environmental stress. The researchers observed that biochar helps trees like the Scots pine and silver birch develop better root structures and higher quality scores when combined with standard fertilizers. A key outcome for temperate forestry is enhanced drought resilience. For example, Quercus castaneifolia seedlings treated with biochar demonstrated superior growth and leaf area even when subjected to severe water shortages. This suggests that biochar acts as a biological insurance policy, helping young trees retain moisture and maintain physiological stability during unexpected dry spells.

Beyond simple growth, the study emphasizes biochar’s role in biological defense. Low doses of roughly 5 percent biochar were found to induce systemic resistance against devastating soil-borne pathogens, such as those causing stem cankers. In maple and oak seedlings, this amendment significantly reduced the spread of disease lesions and lessened physiological stress. This protective effect is likely due to the conducive environment biochar provides for beneficial soil microorganisms, which can outcompete or suppress harmful pests. This multi-layered benefit makes it an ideal component for sustainable forestry management.

The research also addresses the global scale of waste management, noting that nearly 1 billion tons of organic waste are generated annually. Converting this waste into biochar could meet the rising global demand for sustainable soil amendments while sequestering carbon that would otherwise enter the atmosphere as greenhouse gases. While the study notes that high doses can sometimes hinder growth, it concludes that low to moderate application rates are a reliable and affordable way to advance seedling quality. By tailoring feedstockFeedstock refers to the raw organic material used to produce biochar. This can include a wide range of materials, such as wood chips, agricultural residues, and animal manure. More and application to specific tree species, nurseries can foster a new generation of climate-resilient forests.

Source: Bisoyi, C., Barina, S., Behera, L. K., Mehta, A. A., Patel, S. M., Huse, S. A., Arunjyoti, G., & Thorat, A. D. (2026). Biochar as a nursery media amendment: Advancing quality seedling production in tropical and temperate tree species. Journal of Experimental Agriculture International, 48(4), 696-706.