Xu, et al (2025) Effect of the 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 interlayer on saline wasteland desalination and the development of Suaeda salsa roots. Environmental Technology & Innovation. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2024.103976

Salinization threatens arid agricultural regions worldwide, degrading soils and limiting productivity. A recent study explored the synergistic use of biochar interlayers and the halophyte Suaeda salsa to improve saline wastelands in China’s arid northwest.

Field experiments conducted over two years tested varying biochar application rates (0, 15, 45, and 75 tons per hectare) buried at a 40 cm soil depth. Results highlighted significant benefits at optimal rates (45 t/ha). The biochar interlayer effectively increased soil moisture in the top 50 cm by up to 20% while reducing soil salinity in the 0–40 cm layer by 40.74%. However, excessive biochar led to salt accumulation at deeper levels (40–50 cm).

Nitrate nitrogen retention was another key benefit, with concentrations increasing by up to 24%, enhancing nutrient availability while reducing leachingLeaching is the process where nutrients are dissolved and carried away from the soil by water. This can lead to nutrient depletion and environmental pollution. Biochar can help reduce leaching by improving nutrient retention in the soil.   More losses. These changes created favorable conditions for Suaeda salsa, which exhibited improved root morphology and increased 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 by up to 66%. The combined system achieved a desalination rate of 57.57%, outperforming untreated soil (33.01%).

This study underscores the potential of combining physical (biochar) and biological (halophytes) strategies to rehabilitate saline wastelands sustainably. While biochar’s longevity enhances its economic viability, careful application is essential to prevent secondary salinization. These findings pave the way for scalable solutions to mitigate soil salinity, benefiting agriculture in arid and semi-arid regions.