Khan, Zhang, et al (2024) 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 persistence on soil physiochemical properties, enzymatic activities, nutrient utilization, and crop yield in a three-year rice-rapeseed crop rotation. European Journal of Agronomy, Vol 154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eja.2024.127096

Feeding a growing population while maintaining healthy soil and reducing environmental impact is a major challenge. This study investigated the combined effects of biochar and crop rotation on soil quality and crop yields over three years, focusing on rice and rapeseed.

Biochar amendment, especially at moderate levels (15 and 30 t ha⁻¹),improved soil properties like pHpH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline a substance is. A pH of 7 is neutral, while lower pH values indicate acidity and higher values indicate alkalinity. Biochars are normally alkaline and can influence soil pH, often increasing it, which can be beneficial More,organic carbon content, porosityPorosity of biochar is a key factor in its effectiveness as a soil amendment and its ability to retain water and nutrients. Biochar’s porosity is influenced by feedstock type and pyrolysis temperature, and it plays a crucial role in microbial activity and overall soil health. Biochar More, and enzyme activity.

Combining biochar with chemical fertilizer significantly boosted rice and rapeseed yields, with biochar at 15 t ha⁻¹ enhancing rice yield by 12% and 22% in the first and last years, respectively. Similar trends were observed for rapeseed.

Crop rotation alone also positively impacted soil conditions and yields in the latter years of the study.

High biochar application (60 t ha⁻¹) was ineffective and reduced nutrient uptake and yields throughout the study.

These findings suggest that incorporating biochar and crop rotation into agricultural practices can be a sustainable strategy for long-term soil health and crop productivity. However, using moderate biochar levels is crucial for optimal results. This approach offers a promising solution for achieving food security while minimizing environmental impact.

The study emphasizes the need for further research on the long-term effects of biochar application with different crops and soil types. Optimizing biochar application rates and exploring combinations with other organic amendments are potential areas for future investigation.