Gao, et al (2024) The reduction of nitrogen loss 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 for soil fertility reservation. Journal of Soils and Sediments. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-024-03803-z

Excessive nitrogen fertilizer use on farmland in China is a major contributor to non-point pollution. To combat this, introducing specific biochars into agricultural soils has shown promise in improving water retention and nutrient conservation. A recent study delved into the effects of neutral biochar (NBC, 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 6.6–7.1) and its combination with urease inhibitors (UI) on mitigating nitrogen loss and enhancing soil fertility.

The study aimed to explore how NBC and UI interact with nitrogen fertilizers in soils through both pot and field experiments. Researchers assessed how these treatments influenced nitrogen dynamics in agricultural soils.

The findings indicated that the application of straw-derived biochar significantly reduced ammonia volatilization by up to 27.67%. In field conditions, NBC effectively minimized the 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 of soil NH4+-N and NO3–N, with a particularly notable reduction in NO3–N levels (68 mg/kg) in the 20–40 cm soil layer. Furthermore, combining NBC with urease inhibitors markedly increased soil total nitrogen content to 1.70 g/kg.

The use of neutral biochar derived from agricultural straw, alongside commercial urease inhibitors, demonstrated substantial benefits in nitrogen conservation in both pot and field experiments. The study highlights that neutral biochar not only decreases ammonia volatilization but also enhances nitrate retention more effectively than urease inhibitors alone. These results suggest that neutral biochar is a valuable tool for improving agricultural soil health and reducing nitrogen losses, offering a sustainable solution for modern farming practices.