Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of biochar on soil fertility and crop productivity in arid regions: a review

  • S. I. BIOCHAR
  • Published:
Arabian Journal of Geosciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Biochar, carbon-rich materials produced during the thermochemical processing of biomass, are receiving increased attention given their potential value as soil amendments. Biochar are formed through pyrolysis processes—heating to several hundred degrees Celsius under oxygen-limited environments—and both the source feedstock and the reaction conditions affect the quality of the resulting chars. Biochar can enhance soil physical and chemical properties and increase agricultural systems’ productivity through direct and indirect effects on crop growth and soil quality. Biochar also may directly help mitigate climate change by sequestering stable carbon compounds in the soil and perhaps indirectly through increased C uptake by trees. As the world faces growing challenges from soil degradation and climate change, biochar application to soils represents a potential pathway forward. Although a large volume of literature exists regarding the use of biochar under favorable climatic conditions, information regarding biochar applications in semiarid and arid climates has been more limited. Evidence of greater water holding capacity and reduced infiltration suggests these materials have potential to improve the productivity of such lands and provides a basis for considering its wider application in the arid environments such as Saudi Arabia. Challenges and limitations for biochar use on a mass scale are also briefly discussed. To move this technology forward, crop and soil scientists should involve economists and agricultural extension educators in studies that consider economic as well as biophysical implications for biochar’s application on a mass scale.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abel S, Peters A, Trinks S, Schonsky H, Facklam M, Wessolek G (2013) Impact of biochar and hydrochar addition on water retention and water repellency of sandy soil. Geoderma 202:183–191

    Google Scholar 

  • Abujabhah IS, Bound SA, Doyle R, Bowman JP (2016) Effects of biochar and compost amendments on soil physico-chemical properties and the total community within a temperate agricultural soil. Appl Soil Ecol 98:243–253. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2015.10.021

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ahmad M, Rajapaksha AU, Lim JE, Zhang M, Bolan N, Mohan D, Vithanage M, Lee SS, Ok YS (2014) Biochar as a sorbent for contaminant management in soil and water: a review. Chemosphere 99:19–33

    Google Scholar 

  • Akhtar S, Andersen MN, Liu F (2015a) Biochar mitigates salinity stress in potato. J Agron Crop Sci 201:368–378

    Google Scholar 

  • Akhtar SS, Andersen MN, Liu F (2015b) Biochar mitigates salinity stress in potato. J Agron Crop Sci 201:368–378. https://doi.org/10.1111/jac.12132

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Akhtar SS, Andersen MN, Liu F (2015c) Residual effects of biochar on improving growth, physiology and yield of wheat under salt stress. Agric Water Manag 158:61–68

    Google Scholar 

  • Alburquerque JA, Calero JM, Barrón V, Torrent J, del Campillo MC, Gallardo A, Villar R (2014) Effects of biochars produced from different feedstocks on soil properties and sunflower growth. J Plant Nutr Soil Sci 177:16–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Wabel MI, Hussain Q, Usman ARA, Ahmad M, Abduljabbar A (2017) Impact of biochar properties on soil conditions and agricultural sustainability: A review. Land Degrad Dev 29:2124–2161

    Google Scholar 

  • Ameloot N, Graber ER, Verheijen FGA, Neve Sd (2013) Interactions between biochar stability and soil organisms: review and research needs. Eur J Soil Sci 64:379–390. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejss.12064

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amer MM (2016) Effect of biochar, compost tea and magnetic iron ore application on some soil properties and productivity of some field crops under saline soils conditions at North Nile Delta. Egypt J Soil Sci 56:169–185

    Google Scholar 

  • Amonette JE, Joseph S (2009) Characteristics of biochar: microchemical properties. Biochar for environmental management: Science and technology 33

  • Arif M, Ilyas M, Riaz M, Ali K, Shah K, Haq IU, Fahad S (2017) Biochar improves phosphorus use efficiency of organic-inorganic fertilizers, maize-wheat productivity and soil quality in a low fertility alkaline soil. Field Crop Res 214:25–37

    Google Scholar 

  • Asai H, Samson BK, Stephan HM, Songyikhangsuthor K, Homma K, Kiyono Y, Inoue Y, Shiraiwa T, Horie T (2009) Biochar amendment techniques for upland rice production in Northern Laos: 1. Soil physical properties, leaf SPAD and grain yield. Field Crop Res 111:81–84

    Google Scholar 

  • Ashworth AJ, Sadaka SS, Allen FL, Sharara MA, Keyser PD (2014) Influence of Pyrolysis temperature and production conditions on switchgrass biochar for use as a soil amendment. BioResources 9(4):7622–7635

    Google Scholar 

  • Atkinson CJ, Fitzgerald JD, Hipps NA (2010) Potential mechanisms for achieving agricultural benefits from biochar application to temperate soils: a review. Plant Soil 337:1–18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-010-0464-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Awasthi MK, Awasthi SK, Wang Q, Wang Z, Lahori AH, Ren X, Chen H, Wang M, Zhao J, Zhang Z (2018) Influence of biochar on volatile fatty acids accumulation and microbial community succession during biosolids composting. Bioresource Technol 251:158–164

    Google Scholar 

  • Azargohar R, Dalai AK (2008) Steam and KOH activation of biochar: Experimental and modeling studies. Microporous Mesoporous Mater 110:413–421. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micromeso.2007.06.047

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Badr EA, Ibrahim O, Tawfik M, Bahr AA (2015) Management strategy for improving the productivity of wheat in newly reclaimed sandy soil. Management 8:1438–1445

    Google Scholar 

  • Barrow C (2012) Biochar: potential for countering land degradation and for improving agriculture. Appl Geogr 34:21–28

    Google Scholar 

  • Batool A, Taj S, Rashid A, Khalid A, Qadeer S, Saleem AR, Ghufran MA (2015) Potential of soil amendments (Biochar and Gypsum) in increasing water use efficiency of Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench Front Plant Sci 6:733. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2015.00733

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beesley L, Moreno-Jiménez E, Gomez-Eyles JL (2010) Effects of biochar and greenwaste compost amendments on mobility, bioavailability and toxicity of inorganic and organic contaminants in a multi-element polluted soil. Environ Pollut 158:2282–2287

    Google Scholar 

  • Biederman LA, Harpole WS (2013) Biochar and its effects on plant productivity and nutrient cycling: a meta-analysis. GCB Bioenergy 5:202–214. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12037

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blackwell P, Riethmuller G, Collins M (2009) Biochar application to soil. In ‘Biochar for environment management’. (Eds J Lehmann, S Joseph). London, Earthscan, pp 207–226

    Google Scholar 

  • Brady NC, Weil R (1984) The natural and properties of soils. Macmillan, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Brewer C.E. (2012) Biochar characterization and engineering.

  • Brewer CE, Brown RC (2012) 5.18 - Biochar A2 - Sayigh, Ali. Comprehensive Renewable Energy, Elsevier, Oxford, pp 357–384

    Google Scholar 

  • Bridle T, Pritchard D (2004) Energy and nutrient recovery from sewage sludge via pyrolysis. Water Sci Technol 50:169–175

    Google Scholar 

  • Bruun EW, Ambus P, Egsgaard H, Hauggaard-Nielsen H (2012) Effects of slow and fast pyrolysis biochar on soil C and N turnover dynamics. Soil Biol Biochem 46:73–79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2011.11.019

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chan KY, Xu Z (2009) Biochar: nutrient properties and their enhancement. Biochar for environmental management: science and technology:67–84

  • Chan K, Van Zwieten L, Meszaros I, Downie A, Joseph S (2008) Agronomic values of greenwaste biochar as a soil amendment. Soil Res 45:629–634

    Google Scholar 

  • Chaudhari PR, Ahire DV, Ahire VD, Chkravarty M, Maity S (2013) Soil bulk density as related to soil texture, organic matter content and available total nutrients of Coimbatore soil. Int J Sci Res Publ 3:1–8

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen J, Liu X, Zheng J, Zhang B, Lu H, Chi Z, Pan G, Li L, Zheng J, Zhang X (2013) Biochar soil amendment increased bacterial but decreased fungal gene abundance with shifts in community structure in a slightly acid rice paddy from Southwest China. Appl Soil Ecol 71:33–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen T, Zhang Y, Wang H, Lu W, Zhou Z, Zhang Y, Ren L (2014) Influence of pyrolysis temperature on characteristics and heavy metal adsorptive performance of biochar derived from municipal sewage sludge. Bioresour Technol 164:47–54

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheng C-H, Lehmann J, Engelhard MH (2008) Natural oxidation of black carbon in soils: changes in molecular form and surface charge along a climosequence. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 72:1598–1610

    Google Scholar 

  • Crane-Droesch A, Abiven S, Jeffery S, Torn MS (2013) Heterogeneous global crop yield response to biochar: a meta-regression analysis. Environ Res Lett 8:044049

    Google Scholar 

  • Dai X, Boutton TW, Glaser B, Ansley RJ, Zech W (2005) Black carbon in a temperate mixed-grass savanna. Soil Biol Biochem 37:1879–1881. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2005.02.021

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deng B, Tammeorg P, Luukkanen O, Helenius J, Starr M (2017) Effects of Acacia seyal and biochar on soil properties and sorghum yield in agroforestry systems in South Sudan. Agrofor Syst 91:137–148

    Google Scholar 

  • Downie A, Crosky A, Munroe P (2009) Physical properties of biochar. Biochar for environmental management: Science and technology:13–32

  • Du J, Zhang Y, Qu M, Yin Y, Fan K, Hu B, Zhang H, Wei M, Ma C (2019) Effects of biochar on the microbial activity and community structure during sewage sludge composting. Bioresour Technol 272:171–179

    Google Scholar 

  • Duku MH, Gu S, Hagan EB (2011) Biochar production potential in Ghana—a review. Renew Sust Energ Rev 15:3539–3551. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2011.05.010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Enders A, Hanley K, Whitman T, Joseph S, Lehmann J (2012) Characterization of biochars to evaluate recalcitrance and agronomic performance. Bioresour Technol 114:644–653. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2012.03.022

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fang Y, Singh B, Singh B, Krull E (2014) Biochar carbon stability in four contrasting soils. Eur J Soil Sci 65:60–71

    Google Scholar 

  • Farrell M, Kuhn TK, Macdonald LM, Maddern TM, Murphy DV, Hall PA, Singh BP, Baumann K, Krull ES, Baldock JA (2013) Microbial utilisation of biochar-derived carbon. Sci Total Environ 465:288–297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.03.090

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fields-Johnson CW (2016) Biochar in land reclamation, biosolids applications and prescribed fires. PhD. Dissertation to Virginia Polytechnic Institute and University.

  • Forbes M, Raison R, Skjemstad J (2006) Formation, transformation and transport of black carbon (charcoal) in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Sci Total Environ 370:190–206

    Google Scholar 

  • Fryda L, Visser R (2015) Biochar for Soil Improvement: Evaluation of Biochar from Gasification and Slow Pyrolysis. Agriculture 5:1076–1115

    Google Scholar 

  • Gaskin J, Steiner C, Harris K, Das K, Bibens B (2008) Effect of low-temperature pyrolysis conditions on biochar for agricultural use. Trans ASABE 51:2061–2069

    Google Scholar 

  • Glaser B, Haumaier L, Guggenberger G, Zech W (2001) The ‘Terra Preta’ phenomenon: a model for sustainable agriculture in the humid tropics. Naturwissenschaften 88:37–41

    Google Scholar 

  • Glaser B, Lehmann J, Zech W (2002) Ameliorating physical and chemical properties of highly weathered soils in the tropics with charcoal–a review. Biol Fertil Soils 35:219–230

    Google Scholar 

  • Gomez J, Denef K, Stewart C, Zheng J, Cotrufo MF (2014) Biochar addition rate influences soil microbial abundance and activity in temperate soils. Eur J Soil Sci 65:28–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Gray M, Johnson MK, Dragila MI, Kleber M (2014) Water uptake in biochars: The roles of porosity and hydrophobicity. Biomass Bioenergy 61:196–205

    Google Scholar 

  • Gundale MJ, DeLuca TH (2006) Temperature and source material influence ecological attributes of ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir charcoal. For Ecol Manag 231:86–93

    Google Scholar 

  • Gunes A, Inal A, Sahin O, Taskin M, Atakol O, Yilmaz N (2015) Variations in mineral element concentrations of poultry manure biochar obtained at different pyrolysis temperatures, and their effects on crop growth and mineral nutrition. Soil Use Manag 31:429–437

    Google Scholar 

  • Hale S, Hanley K, Lehmann J, Zimmerman A, Cornelissen G (2011) Effects of chemical, biological, and physical aging as well as soil addition on the sorption of pyrene to activated carbon and biochar. Environ Sci Technol 45:10445–10453

    Google Scholar 

  • Hammer EC, Forstreuter M, Rillig MC, Kohler J (2015) Biochar increases arbuscular mycorrhizal plant growth enhancement and ameliorates salinity stress. Appl Soil Ecol 96:114–121

    Google Scholar 

  • Hass A, Gonzalez JM (2014) Fertilizers: Components, Uses in Agriculture and Environmental Impacts, Chapter 4: Biochar.

  • He Y, Zhou X, Jiang L, Li M, Du Z, Zhou G, Shao J, Wang X, Xu Z, Hosseini BS, Wallace H, Xu C (2017) Effects of biochar application on soil greenhouse gas fluxes: a meta-analysis. GCB Bioenergy 9:743–755. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12376

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Idowu O, Brewer C (2018) Biochar for Arid and Semi-arid Agricultural Soils.

  • Ippolito J, Stromberger M, Lentz R, Dungan R (2014) Hardwood biochar influences calcareous soil physicochemical and microbiological status. J Environ Qual 43:681–689

    Google Scholar 

  • Jeffery S, Verheijen FGA, Velde MVD, Bastos AC (2011) A quantitative review of the effects of biochar application to soils on crop productivity using meta-analysis. Agric Ecosyst Environ 144:175–187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2011.08.015

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jeffery S, Bezemer TM, Cornelissen G, Kuyper TW, Lehmann J, Mommer L, Sohi SP, van de Voorde TF, van Groenigen WDA, J.W. (2015) The way forward in biochar research: targeting trade-offs between the potential wins. GCB Bioenergy 7:1–13

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones D, Rousk J, Edwards-Jones G, DeLuca T, Murphy D (2012) Biochar-mediated changes in soil quality and plant growth in a three year field trial. Soil Biol Biochem 45:113–124

    Google Scholar 

  • Joseph S, Taylor P (2014) The production and application of biochar in soils. Advances in Biorefineries:525–555

  • Joseph S, Graber E, Chia C, Munroe P, Donne S, Thomas T, Nielsen S, Marjo C, Rutlidge H, Pan G (2013) Shifting paradigms: development of high-efficiency biochar fertilizers based on nano-structures and soluble components. Carbon Management 4:323–343

    Google Scholar 

  • Jung K-W, Kim K, Jeong T-U, Ahn K-H (2016) Influence of pyrolysis temperature on characteristics and phosphate adsorption capability of biochar derived from waste-marine macroalgae (Undaria pinnatifida roots). Bioresour Technol 200:1024–1028

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanwal S, Ilyas N, Shabir S, Saeed M, Gul R, Zahoor M, Batool N, Mazhar R (2018) Application of biochar in mitigation of negative effects of salinity stress in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). J Plant Nutr 41(4):526–538

    Google Scholar 

  • Karhu K, Mattila T, Bergström I, Regina K (2011) Biochar addition to agricultural soil increased CH 4 uptake and water holding capacity–results from a short-term pilot field study. Agric Ecosyst Environ 140:309–313

    Google Scholar 

  • Kasozi GN, Zimmerman AR, Nkedi-Kizza P, Gao B (2010) Catechol and humic acid sorption onto a range of laboratory-produced black carbons (biochars). Environ Sci Technol 44:6189–6195

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim H-S, Kim K-R, Yang JE, Ok YS, Owens G, Nehls T, Wessolek G, Kim K-H (2016) Effect of biochar on reclaimed tidal land soil properties and maize (Zea mays L.) response. Chemosphere 142:153–159

    Google Scholar 

  • Kloss S, Zehetner F, Dellantonio A, Hamid R, Ottner F, Liedtke V, Schwanninger M, Gerzabek MH, Soja G (2012) Characterization of slow pyrolysis biochars: effects of feedstocks and pyrolysis temperature on biochar properties. J Environ Qual 41:990–1000. https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq2011.0070

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kloss S, Zehetner F, Wimmer B, Buecker J, Rempt F, Soja G (2014) Biochar application to temperate soils: effects on soil fertility and crop growth under greenhouse conditions. J Plant Nutr Soil Sci 177:3–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Komkiene J, Baltrenaite E (2016) Biochar as adsorbent for removal of heavy metal ions [cadmium(II), copper(II), lead(II), zinc(II)] from aqueous phase. Int J Environ Sci Technol 13:471–482. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-015-0873-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Komnitsas K, Zaharaki D, Pyliotis I, Vamvuka D, Bartzas G (2015) Assessment of pistachio shell biochar quality and its potential for adsorption of heavy metals. Waste Biomass Valorization 6:805–816. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-015-9364-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kookana RS, Sarmah AK, Van Zwieten L, Krull E, Singh B (2011) Chapter three - Biochar Application to Soil: Agronomic and Environmental Benefits and Unintended Consequences. In: Donald LS (ed) Advances in Agronomy. Academic Press, pp 103–143

  • Kuzyakov Y, Subbotina I, Chen H, Bogomolova I, Xu X (2009) Black carbon decomposition and incorporation into soil microbial biomass estimated by 14 C labeling. Soil Biol Biochem 41:210–219

    Google Scholar 

  • Laird DA (2008) The charcoal vision: a win-win-win scenario for simultaneously producing bioenergy, permanently sequestering carbon, while improving soil and water quality. Agron J 100:178–181

    Google Scholar 

  • Laird DA, Brown RC, Amonette JE, Lehmann J (2009) Review of the pyrolysis platform for coproducing bio-oil and biochar. Biofuels Bioprod Biorefin 3:547–562. https://doi.org/10.1002/bbb.169

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laird D, Fleming P, Wang B, Horton R, Karlen D (2010) Biochar impact on nutrient leaching from a Midwestern agricultural soil. Geoderma 158:436–442

    Google Scholar 

  • Lashari MS, Ye Y, Ji H, Li L, Kibue GW, Lu H, Zheng J, Pan G (2015) Biochar–manure compost in conjunction with pyroligneous solution alleviated salt stress and improved leaf bioactivity of maize in a saline soil from central China: a 2-year field experiment. J Sci Food Agric 95:1321–1327

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawrinenko M, Laird DA (2015) Anion exchange Capacity of Biochar. Green Chemistry. 17(9):4628–4636

  • Lee S, Shah HS, Igalavitkana AD, Awad YM, Ok Y (2013) Enhancement of C3 and C4 plants productivity in soils amended with biochar and polyacrylamide. In: Technical Bulletin - Food and Fertilizer Technology Center:12 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Lehmann J (2007) Bio-energy in the black. Front Ecol Environ 5:381–387

    Google Scholar 

  • Lehmann J., Joseph S. (2009) Biochar for environmental management: science and technology.

  • Lehmann J., Joseph S. (2015) Biochar for environmental management: science, technology and implementation Routledge.

  • Lehmann J, Rondon M (2006) Bio-char soil management on highly weathered soils in the humid tropics. In: Biological approaches to sustainable soil systems. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, pp 517–530

    Google Scholar 

  • Lehmann J, da Silva JP Jr, Rondon M, Cravo MDS, Greenwood J, Nehls T, Steiner C, Glaser B (2002) Slash-and-char: a feasible alternative for soil fertility management in the Central Amazon?, Symposium 13: Management of organic matter for soil fertility improvement in humid tropical environments, Soil and Fertilizer Society of Thailand, Bangkok pp 449.

  • Lehmann J, Kern D, German L, Mccann J, Martins GC, Moreira A (2003a) Soil fertility and production potential, Amazonian dark earths. Springer, pp 105–124

  • Lehmann J, Silva Júnior JPD, Steiner C, Nehls T, Zech W, Glaser B (2003b) Nutrient availability and leaching in an archaeological Anthrosol and a Ferralsol of the Central Amazon basin: fertilizer, manure and charcoal amendments. Plant Soil 249:343–357. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022833116184

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lehmann J, Gaunt J, Rondon M (2006) Bio-char sequestration in terrestrial ecosystems–a review. Mitig Adapt Strateg Glob Chang 11:395–419

    Google Scholar 

  • Lehmann J, Czimczik C, Laird D, Sohi S (2009) Stability of biochar in soil. Biochar for environmental management: science and technology:183–206

  • Lehmann J, Rillig MC, Thies J, Masiello CA, Hockaday WC, Crowley D (2011) Biochar effects on soil biota–a review. Soil Biol Biochem 43:1812–1836

    Google Scholar 

  • Leng RA, Inthapanya S, Preston TR (2012) Biochar lowers net methane production from rumen fluid in vitro. In: Livestock Research for Rural Development, vol 24, p Article 103

    Google Scholar 

  • Li M, Liu M, Joseph S, Jiang C, Wu M, Li Z (2015) Change in water extractable organic carbon and microbial PLFAs of biochar during incubation with an acidic paddy soil. Soil Res 53:763–771

    Google Scholar 

  • Li H, Dong X, da Silva E, de Oliveira L, Chen Y, Ma L (2017) Mechanisms of metal sorption by biochars: biochar characteristics and modifications. Chemosphere 178:466–478

    Google Scholar 

  • Liang B, Lehmann J, Solomon D, Kinyangi J, Grossman J, O'Neill B, Skjemstad JO, Thies J, Luizão FJ, Petersen J, Neves EG (2006) Black Carbon increases cation exchange capacity in soils. Soil Sci Soc Am J 70:1719–1730. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj2005.0383

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lim TJ, Spokas KA, Feyereisen G, Novak JM (2016) Predicting the impact of biochar additions on soil hydraulic properties. Chemosphere 142:136–144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.06.069

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu P, Liu W-J, Jiang H, Chen J-J, Li W-W, Yu H-Q (2012) Modification of bio-char derived from fast pyrolysis of biomass and its application in removal of tetracycline from aqueous solution. Bioresour Technol 121:235–240

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu X, Zhang A, Ji C, Joseph S, Bian R, Li L, Pan G, Paz-Ferreiro J (2013) Biochar’s effect on crop productivity and the dependence on experimental conditions—a meta-analysis of literature data. Plant Soil 373:583–594

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu Z, Dugan B, Masiello CA, Gonnermann HM (2017) Biochar particle size, shape, and porosity act together to influence soil water properties. PLoS ONE 12(6):1–19

    Google Scholar 

  • Lua A, Yang T (2004) Effects of vacuum pyrolysis conditions on the characteristics of activated carbons derived from pistachio-nut shells. J Colloid Interface Sci 276:364–372. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2004.03.071

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mašek O, Brownsort P, Cross A, Sohi S (2013) Influence of production conditions on the yield and environmental stability of biochar. Fuel 103:151–155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2011.08.044

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maucieri C, Barbera AC, Vymazal J, Borin M (2017) A review on the main affecting factors of greenhouse gases emission in constructed wetlands. Agric For Meteorol 236:175–193

    Google Scholar 

  • Melo LCA, Puga AP, Coscione AR, Beesley L, Abreu CA, Camargo OA (2016) Sorption and desorption of cadmium and zinc in two tropical soils amended with sugarcane-straw-derived biochar. J Soils Sediments 16:226–234. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-015-1199-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mousa AA (2017) Effect of using some soil conditioners on salt affected soil properties and its productivity at El-Tina Plain area, North Sinai, Egypt. Egypt J Soil Sci 57:101–111

    Google Scholar 

  • Muhammad A, Muhammad I, Muhammad R, Kawsar A, Kamran S, Izhar ul H, Shah F (2017a) Biochar improves phosphorus use efficiency of organic-inorganic fertilizers, maize-wheat productivity and soil quality in a low fertility alkaline soil. Field Crop Res 214:25–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2017.08.018

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muhammad A, Subhan D, Muhammad Z-U-H, Muhammad S, Iqbal MM, Abdur R, Qayyum MF, Naqqash MN (2017b) Biochar increased photosynthetic and accessory pigments in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) plants by reducing cadmium concentration under various irrigation waters. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24:22111–22118. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-9866-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mukherjee A, Zimmerman A, Harris W (2011) Surface chemistry variations among a series of laboratory-produced biochars. Geoderma 163:247–255

    Google Scholar 

  • Nabavinia F, Emami H, Astaraee A, Lakzian A (2015) Effect of tannery wastes and biochar on soil chemical and physicochemical properties and growth traits of radish. International Agrophysics 29:333–339

    Google Scholar 

  • Naeem MA, Khalid M, Ahmad Z, Naveed M (2016) Low Pyrolysis Temperature Biochar Improves Growth and Nutrient Availability of Maize on Typic Calciargid. Commun Soil Sci Plant Anal 47:41–51

    Google Scholar 

  • Novak JM, Busscher WJ, Watts DW, Laird DA, Ahmedna MA, Niandou MA (2010) Short-term CO 2 mineralization after additions of biochar and switchgrass to a Typic Kandiudult. Geoderma 154:281–288

    Google Scholar 

  • Novak JM, Busscher WJ, Watts DW, Amonette JE, Ippolito JA, Lima IM, Gaskin J, Das K, Steiner C, Ahmedna M (2012) Biochars impact on soil-moisture storage in an ultisol and two aridisols. Soil Sci 177:310–320

    Google Scholar 

  • Nzanza B., Marais D., Soundy P. (2012) Effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal inoculation and biochar amendment on growth and yield of tomato.

  • Ogawa M, Okimori Y, Takahashi F (2006) Carbon sequestration by carbonization of biomass and forestation: three case studies. Mitig Adapt Strateg Glob Chang 11:421–436

    Google Scholar 

  • Parida AK, Das AB (2005) Salt tolerance and salinity effects on plants: a review. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 60(3):324–349

    Google Scholar 

  • Pastor-Villegas J, Pastor-Valle JF, Rodríguez JMM, García MG (2006) Study of commercial wood charcoals for the preparation of carbon adsorbents. J Anal Appl Pyrolysis 76:103–108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaap.2005.08.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Preston C, Schmidt M (2006) Black (pyrogenic) carbon: a synthesis of current knowledge and uncertainties with special consideration of boreal regions. Biogeosciences 3:397–420

    Google Scholar 

  • Purakayastha T, Das K, Gaskin J, Harris K, Smith J, Kumari S (2016) Effect of pyrolysis temperatures on stability and priming effects of C3 and C4 biochars applied to two different soils. Soil Tillage Res 155:107–115

    Google Scholar 

  • Quilliam RS, Glanville HC, Wade SC, Jones DL (2013a) Life in the ‘charosphere’ - does biochar in agricultural soil provide a significant habitat for microorganisms? Soil Biol Biochem 65:287–293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2013.06.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Quilliam RS, Glanville HC, Wade SC, Jones DL (2013b) Life in the ‘charosphere’–Does biochar in agricultural soil provide a significant habitat for microorganisms? Soil Biol Biochem 65:287–293

    Google Scholar 

  • Rab A, Khan MR, Haq SU, Zahid S, Asim M, Afridi MZ, Arif M, Munsif F (2016) Impact of biochar on mungbean yield and yield components. Pure Appl Biol 5:632

    Google Scholar 

  • Rehrah D, Bansode RR, Hassan O, Ahmedna M (2018) Short-term greenhouse emission lowering effect of biochars from solid organic municipal wastes. Int J Environ Sci Technol 15:1093–1102. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-017-1470-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roberts KG, Gloy BA, Joseph S, Scott NR, Lehmann J (2009) Life cycle assessment of biochar systems: estimating the energetic, economic, and climate change potential. Environ Sci Technol 44:827–833

    Google Scholar 

  • Rondon M.A., Molina D., Hurtado M., Ramirez J., Lehmann J., Major J., Amezquita E. (2006) Enhancing the productivity of crops and grasses while reducing greenhouse gas emissions through bio-char amendments to unfertile tropical soils.

  • Rousk J, Bååth E, Brookes PC, Lauber CL, Lozupone C, Caporaso JG, Knight R, Fierer N (2010) Soil bacterial and fungal communities across a pH gradient in an arable soil. ISME J 4:1340–1351

    Google Scholar 

  • Saifullah DS, Naeem A, Iqbal M, Farooq MA, Bibi S, Rengel Z (2018) Opportunities and Challenges in the Use of Mineral Nutrition for Minimizing Arsenic Toxicity and Accumulation in Rice: a Critical Review. Chemosphere 194:171–188

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarkhot DV, Ghezzehei TA, Berhe AA (2013) Effectiveness of Biochar for Sorption of Ammonium and Phosphate from Dairy Effluent. J Environ Qual 42:1545–1554. https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq2012.0482

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shanthi P, Renuka R, Sreekanth NP, Babu P, Thomas AP (2013) A study of the fertility and carbon sequestration potential of rice soil with respect to the application of biochar and selected amendments. Ann Environ Sci 7:17–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh B, Singh BP, Cowie AL (2010) Characterisation and evaluation of biochars for their application as a soil amendment. Soil Res 48:516–525

    Google Scholar 

  • Sohi SP (2012) Carbon storage with benefits. Science 338:1034–1035

    Google Scholar 

  • Sohi S, Lopez-Capel E, Krull E, Bol R (2009) Biochar, climate change and soil: A review to guide future research. CSIRO

  • Sohi SP, Krull E, Lopez-Capel E, Bol R (2010) A review of biochar and its use and function in soil. Adv Agron 105:47–82

    Google Scholar 

  • Soinne H, Hovi J, Tammeorg P, Turtola E (2014) Effect of biochar on phosphorus sorption and clay soil aggregate stability. Geoderma 219:162–167

    Google Scholar 

  • Song WP, Guo MX (2012) Quality variations of poultry litter biochar generated at different pyrolysis temperatures. J Anal Appl Pyrolysis 94:138–145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaap.2011.11.018

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spokas K, Koskinen W, Baker J, Reicosky D (2009a) Impacts of woodchip biochar additions on greenhouse gas production and sorption/degradation of two herbicides in a Minnesota soil. Chemosphere 77:574–581

    Google Scholar 

  • Spokas KA, Koskinen WC, Baker JM, Reicosky DC (2009b) Impacts of woodchip biochar additions on greenhouse gas production and sorption/degradation of two herbicides in a Minnesota soil. Chemosphere 77:574–581. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2009.06.053

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spokas KA, Cantrell KB, Novak JM, Archer DW, Ippolito JA, Collins HP, Boateng AA, Lima IM, Lamb MC, McAloon AJ (2012a) Biochar: a synthesis of its agronomic impact beyond carbon sequestration. J Environ Qual 41:973–989

    Google Scholar 

  • Spokas KA, Cantrell KB, Novak JM, Archer DW, Ippolito JA, Collins HP, Boateng AA, Lima IM, Lamb MC, McAloon AJ, Lentz RD, Nichols KA (2012b) Biochar: a synthesis of its agronomic impact beyond carbon sequestration. J Environ Qual 41:973–989. https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq2011.0069

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steiner C, Teixeira WG, Lehmann J, Zech W (2004) Microbial response to charcoal amendments of highly weathered soils and Amazonian Dark Earths in Central Amazonia—preliminary results, Amazonian Dark Earths: Explorations in space and time, vol 195-212. Springer

  • Steiner C, Glaser B, Geraldes TW, Lehmann J, Blum WE, Zech W (2008) Nitrogen retention and plant uptake on a highly weathered central Amazonian Ferralsol amended with compost and charcoal. J Plant Nutr Soil Sci 171:893–899

    Google Scholar 

  • Stewart CE, Zheng J, Botte J, Cotrufo MF (2013) Co-generated fast pyrolysis biochar mitigates green-house gas emissions and increases carbon sequestration in temperate soils. GCB Bioenergy 5:153–164

    Google Scholar 

  • Sun F, Lu S (2014) Biochars improve aggregate stability, water retention, and pore-space properties of clayey soil. J Plant Nutr Soil Sci 177:26–33

    Google Scholar 

  • Sun Z, Moldrup P, Elsgaard L, Arthur E, Bruun EW, Hauggaard-Nielsen H, de Jonge LW (2013) Direct and indirect short-term effects of biochar on physical characteristics of an arable sandy loam. Soil Sci 178:465–473

    Google Scholar 

  • Tan X, Liu Y, Zeng G, Wang X, Hu X, Gu Y, Yang Z (2015) Application of biochar for the removal of pollutants from aqueous solutions. Chemosphere 125:70–85

    Google Scholar 

  • Tang J, Zhu W, Kookana R, Katayama A (2013) Characteristics of biochar and its application in remediation of contaminated soil. J Biosci Bioeng 116:653–659

    Google Scholar 

  • Thies E, Rilling M (2009) Characteristics of biochar: biological properties. In ‘Biochar for environmental management. In: Lehmann J, Joseph S (eds) Science and technology. Earthscan, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas SC, Gale N (2015) Biochar and forest restoration: a review and meta-analysis of tree growth responses. New For 46:931–946

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas SC, Frye S, Gale N, Garmon M, Launchbury R, Machado N, Melamed S, Murray J, Petroff A, Winsborough C (2013) Biochar mitigates negative effects of salt additions on two herbaceous plant species. J Environ Manag 129:62–68

    Google Scholar 

  • Tong H, Hu M, Li F, Liu C, Chen M (2014) Biochar enhances the microbial and chemical transformation of pentachlorophenol in paddy soil. Soil Biol Biochem 70:142–150

    Google Scholar 

  • Trompowsky PM, Benites VDM, Madari BE, Pimenta AS, Hockaday WC, Hatcher PG (2005) Characterization of humic like substances obtained by chemical oxidation of eucalyptus charcoal. Org Geochem 36:1480–1489. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orggeochem.2005.08.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Uchimiya M, Wartelle LH, Klasson KT, Fortier CA, Lima IM (2011) Influence of pyrolysis temperature on biochar property and function as a heavy metal sorbent in soil. J Agric Food Chem 59:2501–2510

    Google Scholar 

  • Usman ARA, Abduljabbar A, Vithanage M, Ok YS, Ahmad M, Ahmad M, Elfaki J, Abdulazeem SS, Al-Wabel MI (2015) Biochar production from date palm waste: Charring temperature induced changes in composition and surface chemistry. J Anal Appl Pyrolysis 115:392–400

    Google Scholar 

  • Usman ARA, Al-Wabel MI, Abdulaziz A-H, Mahmoud W-A, El-Naggar AH, Ahmad M, Abdulelah A-F, Abdulrasoul A-O (2016) Conocarpus biochar induces changes in soil nutrient availability and tomato growth under saline irrigation. Pedosphere 26:27–38

    Google Scholar 

  • Uzoma K, Inoue M, Andry H, Fujimaki H, Zahoor A, Nishihara E (2011) Effect of cow manure biochar on maize productivity under sandy soil condition. Soil Use Manag 27:205–212

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang J, Pan X, Liu Y, Zhang X, Xiong Z (2012) Effects of biochar amendment in two soils on greenhouse gas emissions and crop production. Plant Soil 360:287–298

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang D, Zhang W, Hao X, Zhou D (2013) Transport of biochar particles in saturated granular media: effects of pyrolysis temperature and particle size. Environ Sci Technol 47:821–828

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang J, Xiong Z, Kuzyakov Y (2015) Biochar stability in soil: meta-analysis of decomposition and priming effects. GCB Bioenergy 8:512–523. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12266

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Y, Liu Y, Liu R, Zhang A, Yang S, Liu H, Zhou Y, Yang Z (2017) Biochar amendment reduces paddy soil nitrogen leaching but increases net global warming potential in Ningxia irrigation, China. Sci Rep 7:1592. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-01173-w

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Warnock DD, Lehmann J, Kuyper TW, Rillig MC (2007) Mycorrhizal responses to biochar in soil–concepts and mechanisms. Plant Soil 300:9–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Whitman T, Lehmann J (2009) Biochar—One way forward for soil carbon in offset mechanisms in Africa? Environ Sci Pol 12:1024–1027

    Google Scholar 

  • Woolf D, Amonette JE, Street-Perrott FA, Lehmann J, Joseph S (2010) Sustainable biochar to mitigate global climate change. Nat Commun 1:56

    Google Scholar 

  • Xiao Q, Zhu L-X, Zhang H-P, Li X-Y, Shen Y-F, Li S-Q (2016) Soil amendment with biochar increases maize yields in a semi-arid region by improving soil quality and root growth. Crop Pasture Sci 67:495–507

    Google Scholar 

  • Xie T, Reddy KR, Wang CW, Yargicoglu E, Spokas K (2015) Characteristics and applications of biochar for environmental remediation: a review. Crit Rev Environ Sci Technol 45:939–969. https://doi.org/10.1080/10643389.2014.924180

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yamato M, Okimori Y, Wibowo IF, Anshori S, Ogawa M (2006) Effects of the application of charred bark of Acacia mangium on the yield of maize, cowpea and peanut, and soil chemical properties in South Sumatra, Indonesia. Soil Sci Plant Nutr 52:489–495

    Google Scholar 

  • Yao Y, Gao B, Zhang M, Inyang M, Zimmerman AR (2012) Effect of biochar amendment on sorption and leaching of nitrate, ammonium, and phosphate in a sandy soil. Chemosphere 89:1467–1471

    Google Scholar 

  • Yuan J-H, Xu R-K, Zhang H (2011) The forms of alkalis in the biochar produced from crop residues at different temperatures. Bioresour Technol 102:3488–3497

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang X, Wang H, He L, Lu K, Sarmah A, Li J, Bolan NS, Pei J, Huang H (2013) Using biochar for remediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals and organic. Environ Sci Pollut Res 20:8472–8483. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-013-1659-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang D, Pan G, Wu G, Kibue GW, Li L, Zhang X, Zheng J, Zheng J, Cheng K, Joseph S (2016) Biochar helps enhance maize productivity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions under balanced fertilization in a rainfed low fertility inceptisol. Chemosphere 142:106–113

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang L, Jing Y, Xiang Y, Zhang R, Lu H (2018) Responses of soil microbial community structure changes and activities to biochar addition: a meta-analysis. Sci Total Environ 643:926–935

    Google Scholar 

  • Zheng H, Wang Z, Deng X, Herbert S, Xing B (2013) Impacts of adding biochar on nitrogen retention and bioavailability in agricultural soil. Geoderma 206:32–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhu X, Chen B, Zhu L, Xing B (2017) Effects and mechanisms of biochar-microbe interactions in soil improvement and pollution remediation: a review. Environ Pollut 227:98–115

    Google Scholar 

  • Zimmerman AR (2010) Abiotic and microbial oxidation of laboratory-produced black carbon (biochar). Environ Sci Technol 44:1295–1301. https://doi.org/10.1021/es903140c

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgment

The authors are thankful to the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia for providing all the possible assistance and support.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 185 Ag Quad Lane, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA

    André Amakobo Diatta, John Herschel Fike, Martin Leonardo Battaglia & John M. Galbraith

  2. Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Society, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

    Mirza Barjees Baig

Authors
  1. André Amakobo Diatta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. John Herschel Fike
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Martin Leonardo Battaglia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. John M. Galbraith
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Mirza Barjees Baig
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mirza Barjees Baig.

Additional information

This article is part of the Topical Collection on Implications of Biochar Application to Soil Environment under Arid Conditions

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Diatta, A.A., Fike, J.H., Battaglia, M.L. et al. Effects of biochar on soil fertility and crop productivity in arid regions: a review. Arab J Geosci 13, 595 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-020-05586-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-020-05586-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation