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The Role of Biochar in the Sustainability of the Agroecological...
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The Role of Biochar in the Sustainability of the Agroecological Environment

A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Agricultural Biosystem and Biological Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 November 2022) | Viewed by 16631

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Xiaoyun Xu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
Interests: biochar technology; environmental geochemistry; soil remediation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Fan Yang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China
Interests: biochar technology; carbon sequestration; soil amendment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biochar is a carbon-rich material produced by the pyrolysis of biomass, which has become a hotspot in the fields of agriculture, energy, and the environment. It has been indicated that biochar application could strengthen soil fertility benefits, such as improvements in soil microbial activity, abatement of bulk density, amelioration of nutrient and water-holding capacity, and an increase in soil organic matter. In addition, biochar shows great affinity for pollutants in the environment and has been regarded as an effective agricultural management practice to mitigate the threats of climate change. More interestingly, biochar technology is considered to be in line with modern agricultural development concepts. That is, biochar might play important roles in the remediation of soil pollution, the protection of the agricultural environment, the maintenance of ecosystem balance, the promotion of a virtuous cycle in the agricultural environment, and sustainable development. This Special Issue seeks to increase our knowledge of novel advances concerning the application of biochar in the agroecological environment, covering biological, chemical, physical, biochemical, and environmental aspects.

Dr. Xiaoyun Xu
Dr. Fan Yang
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • biochar
  • agriculture
  • ecosystem
  • sustainability
  • soil remediation
  • soil amendment
  • carbon sink

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 2798 KiB  
Article
Production and Characterization of Wild Sugarcane (Saccharum spontaneum L.) Biochar for Atrazine Adsorption in Aqueous Media
by Josué Prens, Zohre Kurt, Arthur M. James Rivas and Jorge Chen
Agronomy 2023, 13(1), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13010027 - 22 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3211
Abstract
Wild sugarcane (Saccharum spontaneum L.) is an invasive plant species in the Central American region. Due to its low nutrient and water requirements, it can grow fast and displace native species. Therefore, its biomass is considered a waste to prevent the further [...] Read more.
Wild sugarcane (Saccharum spontaneum L.) is an invasive plant species in the Central American region. Due to its low nutrient and water requirements, it can grow fast and displace native species. Therefore, its biomass is considered a waste to prevent the further distribution of the specie. This study investigates the production and characterization of wild sugarcane biochar to provide a use for its waste. The produced biochar was used for atrazine adsorption in aqueous solutions to provide a possible application of this biochar near the water bodies that were often detected to be contaminated with atrazine. The biochar was produced via top-lit updraft gasification with airflow rates between 8 to 20 L/min, achieving yields ranging from 22.9 to 27.5%. Batch experiments revealed that biochar made at 12 L/min presented the best removal efficiency (37.71–100%) and the maximum adsorption capacity (qm = 0.42 mg/g). Langmuir (R2 = 0.94–0.96) and Freundlich (R2 = 0.89–0.97) described the experimental data appropriately. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy suggested that atrazine removal in wild sugarcane biochar could be mainly due to carboxylic functional groups. In addition, the biochar organic carbon composition contributed to a higher removal capacity in biochar produced at different airflow rates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Biochar in the Sustainability of the Agroecological Environment)
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15 pages, 3958 KiB  
Article
Adsorption of Atrazine by Fe-Mn-Modified Biochar: The Dominant Mechanism of π–π Interaction and Pore Structure
by Yuan Liang, Ben Zhao and Chuqi Yuan
Agronomy 2022, 12(12), 3097; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12123097 - 7 Dec 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1879
Abstract
It is important to explore efficient materials to alleviate the negative effect of atrazine in soils or water. In this paper, four Fe/Mn-modified biochars were prepared to enhance atrazine removal. The batch adsorption experiment was conducted to explore the adsorption ability of biochar(DBC) [...] Read more.
It is important to explore efficient materials to alleviate the negative effect of atrazine in soils or water. In this paper, four Fe/Mn-modified biochars were prepared to enhance atrazine removal. The batch adsorption experiment was conducted to explore the adsorption ability of biochar(DBC) and modified biochars (F3M1DBC, F1M3DBC, MnDBC, and FeDBC) on atrazine, and the adsorption mechanism was conducted by XRD, XPS, and FTIR. The modified biochar showed larger specific surface areas and zero-point charge than those of the original biochar. The increased oxygen functional groups (OH, C=C, and C=O) and the formation of Fe3O4, Mn3O4, and FeMnO3 on modified biochar improved atrazine removal. The maximum atrazine adsorption by F3M1DBC was 4.3 times higher than that of DBC. The atrazine adsorption by modified biochar was not pH-dependent, and their removal of atrazine was dominated by adsorption rather than degradation. The desorption rate was 8.61% for F3M1DBC, 15.95% for F1M3DBC, 26.19% for MnDBC, and 29.83% for FeDBC, which were 29.1–79.5% lower than that of DBC, accordingly decreased the environmental risk. XPS and FTIR analysis proved that the adsorption mechanisms of Fe/Mn-modified biochars were mainly attributed to their strong π–π interactions between atrazine and oxygen functional groups, graphitic carbon, and Fe/Mn-oxides on the surface of biochar. In addition, the larger surface area and pore structure of modified biochar contributed to the adsorption and pore filling of atrazine on biochar. In general, the Fe/Mn-modified biochars can be used as effective adsorbents to remove atrazine from soils and waters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Biochar in the Sustainability of the Agroecological Environment)
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14 pages, 1987 KiB  
Article
Effect of Biochar on the Growth, Photosynthesis, Antioxidant System and Cadmium Content of Mentha piperita ‘Chocolate’ and Mentha spicata in Cadmium-Contaminated Soil
by Wantong Jiang, Lingxin Xu, Yule Liu, Wenxin Su, Junxin Yan and Dawei Xu
Agronomy 2022, 12(11), 2737; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12112737 - 4 Nov 2022
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2677
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) is a common heavy metal contaminant which seriously affects plant growth and environmental safety. Biochar, as an organic soil amendment, has been shown to effectively mitigate Cd damage to plants. To study the effectiveness of biochar on mitigating Cd stress, Mentha [...] Read more.
Cadmium (Cd) is a common heavy metal contaminant which seriously affects plant growth and environmental safety. Biochar, as an organic soil amendment, has been shown to effectively mitigate Cd damage to plants. To study the effectiveness of biochar on mitigating Cd stress, Mentha piperita ‘chocolate’ and Mentha spicata were used in a pot experiment of Cd stress with a CdCl2 solution (10 mg Kg−1), while a biochar suspension (0, 40, 80, and 160 g Kg−1) was applied to the soil. The effects of Cd on the growth, physiological and biochemical properties, and Cd content in plant tissues of both mint species were found to be significant. The application of 40 g Kg−1, 80 g Kg−1, 160 g Kg−1 biochar significantly alleviated Cd damage to both mint species, increased plant height, leaf length, leaf width, biomass, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, and chlorophyll content, and decreased antioxidant enzyme activities (including superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, and polyphenol oxidase) and non-enzymatic antioxidant content (including flavonoids and total phenols). Biochar effectively reduced the Cd uptake by plants and decreased the migration and transformation capacity of Cd in the soil–plant system. In addition, the available nitrogen (available N), available phosphorus (available P), available potassium (available K), and pH in the soil increased after biochar application compared to non-biochar amended soil. The addition of 160 g Kg−1 biochar was shown to have the best performance of the application rates in this experiment and may be considered as an effective way to reduce the damage caused by Cd contamination to M. piperita ‘chocolate’ and M. spicata. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Biochar in the Sustainability of the Agroecological Environment)
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15 pages, 2347 KiB  
Article
Short-Term Effect of Biochar on Soil Organic Carbon Improvement and Nitrous Oxide Emission Reduction According to Different Soil Characteristics in Agricultural Land: A Laboratory Experiment
by Jong-Mun Lee, Do-Gyun Park, Seong-Su Kang, Eun-Jung Choi, Hyo-Suk Gwon, Hyoung-Seok Lee and Sun-Il Lee
Agronomy 2022, 12(8), 1879; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12081879 - 10 Aug 2022
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2343
Abstract
Biochar application has been considered as a promising solution to address the effects of modern agriculture on climate change. However, there is a lack of research on the biochar application of greenhouse gas emissions based on poor soils in Korean agricultural land. Therefore, [...] Read more.
Biochar application has been considered as a promising solution to address the effects of modern agriculture on climate change. However, there is a lack of research on the biochar application of greenhouse gas emissions based on poor soils in Korean agricultural land. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of biochar application according to different soil characteristics on soil organic carbon (SOC) improvement and greenhouse gas reduction. The incubation experiments were conducted for 49 days and used different feedstock (barley straw and poultry manure) and biochar application rates (0, 5, 10, and 20-ton ha−1) in four soil characteristics (upland, U; greenhouse, G; converted land, C; reclaimed land, R). The results of this study showed that the SOC increased significantly in all soils after biochar application. The increasing SOC rate was the highest in poor soil. Biochar 20-ton ha−1 treatment significantly reduced N2O emissions by 33.2% compared with the control. Barley straw biochar significantly reduced N2O emissions from all soils. Barley straw biochar decreased approximately 74.5% of N2O emissions compared with poultry manure biochar. Poultry manure biochar improved SOC and reduced N2O emissions in poor soil. However, in poultry manure biochar treatment in U and G soil, N2O emissions increased. In conclusion, barley straw biochar application was found to suppress N2O emissions and improve the SOC in all soil characteristics of agricultural land. In addition, the soil carbon storage effect and N2O reduction effect of biochar were the highest in poor soil. Thus, the biochar application can be a potential agricultural practice for improving soil quality and decreasing N2O emissions in domestic agricultural soil. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Biochar in the Sustainability of the Agroecological Environment)
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14 pages, 2224 KiB  
Article
Effects of Biochar on Soil Properties and Tomato Growth
by Suzana Ioana Calcan, Oana Cristina Pârvulescu, Violeta Alexandra Ion, Cristian Eugen Răducanu, Liliana Bădulescu, Roxana Madjar, Tănase Dobre, Diana Egri, Andrei Moț, Lavinia Mihaela Iliescu and Ionuț Ovidiu Jerca
Agronomy 2022, 12(8), 1824; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12081824 - 31 Jul 2022
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3136
Abstract
The paper aimed at evaluating the effects of biochar (BC) produced by slow pyrolysis of vine pruning residue on soil physicochemical properties and tomato plant growth. A greenhouse experiment was conducted for 66 days, applying different treatments for 3 soil types, i.e., foliar [...] Read more.
The paper aimed at evaluating the effects of biochar (BC) produced by slow pyrolysis of vine pruning residue on soil physicochemical properties and tomato plant growth. A greenhouse experiment was conducted for 66 days, applying different treatments for 3 soil types, i.e., foliar fertilizer, BC (at a volumetric ratio between BC and soil of 20/80), BC + foliar fertilizer, and no treatments. Strongly alkaline BC (pH = 9.89 ± 0.01) had a significant beneficial effect on the growth performance of tomato plants sown in a strongly acidic soil (pH = 5.40 ± 0.02). The mean values of height, number of leaves, and collar diameter of plants grown in BC-amended soil without foliar treatment were up to 50% higher than those of plants grown in soil with the other treatments. This positive effect of BC on plant growth is due to the changes in the soil properties. The addition of BC led to increased values of electrical conductivity, pH, soluble and available nutrient concentration. Moreover, BC reduced soil bulk density by about 50%, resulting in improved plant root development and thus enhanced water and nutrient uptake. Accordingly, BC derived from vine pruning residues can improve soil quality and tomato plant growth, as well as reduce biomass residues. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Biochar in the Sustainability of the Agroecological Environment)
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14 pages, 1330 KiB  
Article
Effect of Six Different Feedstocks on Biochar’s Properties and Expected Stability
by Magdalena Bednik, Agnieszka Medyńska-Juraszek and Irmina Ćwieląg-Piasecka
Agronomy 2022, 12(7), 1525; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12071525 - 25 Jun 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2179
Abstract
Biochar (BC) is often proposed as a tool for climate change mitigation, due to the expected long lifetime in the environment. However, BC’s stability can vary depending on feedstock type and the presence of labile carbon fractions. In this study, we verify the [...] Read more.
Biochar (BC) is often proposed as a tool for climate change mitigation, due to the expected long lifetime in the environment. However, BC’s stability can vary depending on feedstock type and the presence of labile carbon fractions. In this study, we verify the recent methods with new possible tools for biochar stability assessment on six different biochars derived from commonly available Europe biomass sources. Elemental composition (CHNO), dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and water-soluble carbonates content (WSC), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) composition, and mid-infrared spectra (MIR) were performed to estimate the persistence of biochars. Under similar conditions of pyrolysis, biochar properties can vary depending on a feedstock origin. Less aromatic structure and higher contents of labile carbon fractions (DOCs and WSC) in food waste biochars affected the lower stability, while biochars derived from high lignocellulose materials (straw, wood, and grass) were strongly carbonized, with persistent, aromatic structure. Labile carbon pool content (DOC, WSC) and spectral analysis can be useful tools for biochar stability assessment, giving similar information to the standard molar ratio method. Biochars obtained from agriculture and forestry management biomass should be considered as highly stable in soil and are appropriate for long-term carbon sequestration purposes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Biochar in the Sustainability of the Agroecological Environment)
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