Lima, J.Z., da Penha Simon, C. Biochar–soil–plant interfaces: a systematic review of the crop performance in tropical climate. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-024-05854-8

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 is being studied as a potential solution to the challenges faced by tropical soils. It can help mitigate land degradation, replenish nutrients, and enhance soil structure, thus increasing fertility and promoting crop development. A recent systematic literature review examined the current knowledge on biochar’s influence on plant development in tropical soils, reviewing 97 publications that primarily focused on crops like maize and rice. The evaluation identified positive, negative, and neutral effects of biochar, with some studies also looking at its impact on tree growth in degraded soils.

The research covered tropical soils from 24 countries, with a particular emphasis on Brazil and Malaysia. Most of the biochars studied were derived from agricultural 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 or wood, produced at around 500°C, and had an alkaline 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 averaging 8.3. Among the studies, 25 articles specifically examined the impact of biochar on maize in field conditions, focusing on endpoints like grain yield and biomass, which generally showed positive or no significant effects compared to control groups.

Despite the increase in biochar studies, gaps in scientific knowledge remain due to the diverse physical and chemical characteristics of biochars and the complexity of natural ecosystems. Future research could provide more comprehensive insights by exploring a broader range of plant species, soil types, and climatic conditions over long-term trials. It’s essential to use appropriate indicators to assess biochar’s effectiveness in reducing negative effects and improving soil health and ecosystem services.