Biochar is a form of charcoal produced through the incomplete combustion process (pyrolysis) of natural organic fuels such as forest and agricultural waste, urban garbage or livestock manure under low or no oxygen. Existing literature has confirmed that biochar can provide a considerable proportion of soil organic carbon, effectively improve degraded land, and reduce the application of soil heavy metals (copper, zinc), organic pollutants and pesticides. In addition to being a renewable energy source, the synthesis gas produced during the production of biochar can also be converted into heat and energy. Previous studies have shown that biochar combined with soil can promote plant growth and increase crop yields. The advantages provided by biochar include:
(1) Increase beneficial biomass in the soil,
(2) Increase plant’s ability to absorb soil phosphorus
(3) Enhance cation exchange capacity,
(4) Provide long-term and stable carbon storage,
(5) Improve the limitation of plant root penetration,
(6) Reduce the emission of nitrous oxide (N2O),
(7) Promote plant nitrogen fixation,
(8) Reduce pesticides
Application amount and
(9) Regulate soil pH.
In addition to improving land use efficiency, biochar’s impact on mitigating greenhouse gas emissions has also attracted much attention. In order to reduce carbon dioxide emissions caused by burning fossil fuels, afforestation and restoration is one of the main means of carbon compensation.
