Sustainable Soil Management with Biochar: A Solution for Drought Stress

Biochar from rice straw and cow manure improves soil quality, reduces arsenic contamination, and enhances crop growth under drought stress, promoting sustainable agriculture and circular economy practices by improving nutrient retention and soil health.

July 7, 2024

1–2 minutes

Kumar, et al (2024) Sustainable soil management under drought stress through 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 application: Immobilizing arsenic, ameliorating soil quality, and augmenting plant growth. *Environmental Research.* https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2024.119531

Climate change-induced droughts are increasingly threatening soil health and crop yields, amplifying issues such as metal pollution and soil degradation. A study by Kumar et al. (2024) explores the use of rice straw biochar (RSB) and cow manure-enriched biochar (CEB) to mitigate these effects and enhance soil quality. Conducted over three months, the research tested biochar application in varying concentrations (0%, 2.5%, 5%, and 7.5%) on drought-exposed soils.

The study found that both RSB and CEB significantly improved soil properties even under severe drought conditions. At a 7.5% dose, biochar amendments reduced soil bulk density (BD) and increased cation and anion exchange capacities, 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, water holding capacityWater holding capacity is the amount of water that soil can retain. Biochar can significantly increase the water holding capacity of soil, improving its ability to withstand drought conditions and support plant growth. More, soil respiration, and nutrient content (notably nitrogen and phosphorus). Additionally, biochar reduced arsenic contamination by decreasing its mobile, bioavailable, and leachable fractions.

Pot experiments with Bengal gram and coriander plants showed enhanced growth and reduced arsenic accumulation when biochar was applied. Specifically, plant 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 increased by 62–188%, and plant length grew by 90–277%, while arsenic uptake in above-ground parts dropped by 49–54%.

The findings underscore biochar’s potential in promoting sustainable agriculture by improving soil health and reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers. Biochar not only ameliorates soil under drought stress but also aids in sustainable waste management, contributing to a circular economy. The study advocates for further research to optimize biochar use across different soil types and climatic conditions to ensure long-term effectiveness and sustainability in agriculture.