In a study published in Scientific Reports, Jining Zhang and colleagues from the Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences investigated the impact of fertilizer type on the properties of maize straw 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. They analyzed biochar derived from maize straw cultivated with either chemical or organic fertilizers, focusing on carbon content, nutrient levels, and carbon retention.

The researchers found that biochar produced from chemically fertilized maize straw had a higher total carbon content (61.3-74.4 wt%) and a longer mean residence timeResidence time refers to the duration that the biomass is heated during the pyrolysis process. The residence time can influence the properties of the biochar produced.   More (232.5-1473.6 years) compared to biochar from organically fertilized maize straw (54.7-59.1 wt% and 126.7-714.5 years). This suggests that the use of chemical fertilizers may enhance the carbon sequestration potential of biochar derived from maize straw.

Conversely, the biochar from organically fertilized maize straw showed higher potassium (43.6-113.8 g/kg) and phosphorus (9.5-12.3 g/kg) contents. Both types of biochar met the industry standard for biochar-based organic fertilizer in China, indicating their potential for agricultural applications.  

The study concludes that biochar from both fertilization methods can effectively act as nutrient carriers and contribute to carbon sequestration in soil. These findings offer valuable insights into tailoring biochar properties through fertilizer management practices.  

SOURCE: Zhang, J., Ge, L.-a., Zhang, X., Wang, C., Sun, H., Chen, H., … & Zhou, S. (2025). A valorization analysis towards agricultural application of biochar prepared using maize straw grown using organic or chemical fertilizers. Scientific Reports, 15, 11469.