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Agronomy
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Application of Biochar as Fertilizer and Restorative in Agriculture
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Application of Biochar as Fertilizer and Restorative in Agriculture

A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Farming Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2023) | Viewed by 7378

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Tanmoy Karak

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Upper Assam Advisory Centre, Tea Research Association, Dikom, Dibrugarh, Assam 786101, India
Interests: production of biochar from agricultural wastes and its use for sustainable agriculture; chemistry of heavy metals and metalloids in soils and plants; behavior of micronutrients in soils and plants; environmental pollution; waste management and environmental status of tea estates

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biochar (BC) is a carbon-rich stable inert compound produced from biomass of agricultural waste through pyrolysis. Its physical and chemical properties include a large surface area, high cation exchange capacity, being rich in organic carbon, high water-holding capacity, a porous nature, and significant amounts of plant nutrients, which accelerate microbial population in the soil. In addition to this fact, BC has the potential to improve the soil’s physico-chemical properties. Biochar also significantly improves the nutrient uptake by plants and thus contributes to the enhancement of photosynthetic attributes, which eventually increases crop production. It also immobilizes the toxic heavy metal in soil and reduces phytotoxicity in plants.

The indiscriminate use of agrochemicals has not only an adverse impact on soil but also a detrimental effect on air and water, which has a damaging effect on human health. To combat the situation, dependence on agrochemicals must be minimized by reducing the use of synthetic chemicals and replacing them with alternative sources. This research topic will provide a holistic approach to sustainable agriculture using biochar as a quality soil conditioner. 

Dr. Tanmoy Karak
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agronomy is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • agro-chemicals
  • biochar
  • carbon sequestration
  • crop yield
  • environmental pollution and remediation
  • heavy metal
  • natural resource conservation
  • reduction of inorganic fertilizer
  • soil health
  • soil remediation

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 3727 KiB  
Article
Evaluating the Application Potential of Acid-Modified Cotton Straw Biochars in Alkaline Soils Based on Entropy Weight TOPSIS
by Shengbao Zhu, Jiao Liu, Guangmu Tang, Tao Sun, Hongtao Jia, Hongmei Zhao, Yunshu Zhang, Ling Lin and Wanli Xu
Agronomy 2023, 13(11), 2807; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13112807 - 13 Nov 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1423
Abstract
As a good carbon source and soil conditioner, biochar is widely used in acidic soils but seldom in alkaline soils due to its high pH. In this study, cotton straw biochar was modified with five different acidic materials to obtain wood-vinegar- (WBC), monosodium-glutamate [...] Read more.
As a good carbon source and soil conditioner, biochar is widely used in acidic soils but seldom in alkaline soils due to its high pH. In this study, cotton straw biochar was modified with five different acidic materials to obtain wood-vinegar- (WBC), monosodium-glutamate (MSG)-wastewater- (MBC), citric-acid- (CBC), phosphoric-acid- (PBC), and nitric-acid-modified biochars (NBC), and three dosages were used for each modifier. The pristine and modified biochars were characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The biochar properties such as pH, specific surface area (SSA), and elemental contents were measured. In addition, the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) model based on entropy weight was used to evaluate the application potential of the biochars in alkaline soils. The FTIR spectra showed that modification with the five acidic materials, MSG wastewater in particular, resulted in more oxygen-containing functional groups such as O-H, C=O, and C-O on the biochar surface. In addition, acid modification greatly decreased the pH: phosphoric acid modification significantly decreased the pH of cotton straw biochar by 5.71–7.88 units. For the same modifier, a higher dosage (i.e., a smaller biochar:modifier ratio) led to a larger decrease in the pH of cotton straw biochar. The magnitudes of increase in total soluble salt content followed the general order of CBCs > PBCs > WBCs > NBCs > MBCs. The SSA, average pore diameter, and total pore volume of biochar were changed as well. Modification using wood vinegar and MSG wastewater significantly decreased the SSA of cotton straw biochar by 15.58–16.24 m2 g−1 (82.7–86.2%) and 15.87–16.80 m2 g−1 (84.2–89.2%), respectively, whereas modification using citric acid and nitric acid significantly increased the SSA of cotton straw biochar by 4.51–4.66 m2 g−1 (23.9–24.7%) and 0.55–54.21 m2 g−1 (2.9–287.7%). The evaluation based on entropy weight TOPSIS model suggested that the MBCs have the highest potential for application in alkaline soils. This study presents a theoretical basis for evaluation of biochar application potential, demonstrates a way of improving biochar application potential, and provides a support for beneficial utilization of agricultural and industrial wastes such as cotton straw, wood vinegar, and MSG wastewater. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Biochar as Fertilizer and Restorative in Agriculture)
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21 pages, 3374 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Faecal Sludge Biochar on the Growth and Yield of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Cultivar Micro-Tom
by H. Larissa Nicholas, Aisling Devine, Iain Robertson and Ian Mabbett
Agronomy 2023, 13(5), 1233; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13051233 - 27 Apr 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2536
Abstract
Full-scale pyrolysis of faecal sludge in developing nations is an emerging technology for the complete removal of pathogens and the concurrent creation of biochar, a soil amendment shown to enhance crop productivity. Currently there is little information on the effects of faecal sludge [...] Read more.
Full-scale pyrolysis of faecal sludge in developing nations is an emerging technology for the complete removal of pathogens and the concurrent creation of biochar, a soil amendment shown to enhance crop productivity. Currently there is little information on the effects of faecal sludge biochar on soil and crop yield. Faecal sludge biochar was applied to an acidic, sandy soil to assess its effects on plant growth and yield in Micro-Tom, a model cultivar of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). We examined four soil application treatments: a control soil, fertilizer treatment, biochar treatment, and a combined biochar and fertilizer treatment. The combined treatment of biochar and fertilizer together produced a tomato yield 2980% greater than the tomato yield from control soil, whereas biochar on its own increased the yield by 1060%. There was no significant difference in plant height between the combined biochar and fertilizer application and biochar on its own; however, both treatments significantly increased plant height compared to control soil. Below ground biomass showed a similar pattern, with no significant difference between biochar alone and combined biochar and fertilizer treatments, and both treatments resulted in significantly increased below ground biomass compared to control soil. The combined biochar and fertilizer treatment resulted in significantly lower water runoff than all other treatments. These findings have great potential implications for increasing food security and the creation of more sustainable agricultural practices, especially in developing regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Biochar as Fertilizer and Restorative in Agriculture)
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Review

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25 pages, 1530 KiB  
Review
A Critical Review of Biochar Application for the Remediation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Nutrient Loss in Rice Paddies: Characteristics, Mechanisms, and Future Recommendations
by Yonglin Chen, Mengqi Xu, Liyu Yang, Haonan Jing, Wenjian Mao, Jingbin Liu, Yuzheng Zou, Yuhong Wu, Hang Zhou, Wentao Yang and Pan Wu
Agronomy 2023, 13(3), 893; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13030893 - 17 Mar 2023
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2932
Abstract
Greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and nutrient loss are considered to be critical environmental issues facing rice field ecosystems. Biochars (BCs), as carbon-rich materials with porous structures, large specific surface areas, and enriched surface functional groups, have shown great potential for improving environmental problems [...] Read more.
Greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and nutrient loss are considered to be critical environmental issues facing rice field ecosystems. Biochars (BCs), as carbon-rich materials with porous structures, large specific surface areas, and enriched surface functional groups, have shown great potential for improving environmental problems in rice fields and increasing rice yields. However, thus far, we still lack an adequate summary and review of the performance characteristics of BCs and their environmental behavior in paddy soils. In this paper, we critically review the positive effects of BC application on the growth and yield of rice, nutrient loss reduction, and GHG reduction. Biomass type, pyrolysis temperature, and modification method are considered to be the key factors that determine the performance characteristics of BCs. The application of BCs could promote rice yield and mitigate CO2, N2O, and CH4 emissions by improving soil physicochemical properties and microbial communities, providing nutrient sources, and reducing nutrient losses. Finally, this paper illustrates the potential ecological risks of BC application on paddy fields, including the risks of inconclusive research results and secondary pollution. These shortcomings need to be addressed in future research to ensure the sustainability of BC application. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Biochar as Fertilizer and Restorative in Agriculture)
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