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Cited by 2,890Soil Carbon and Nitrogen DynamicsAgricultural Science and FertilizationSoil Management and Crop Yield

Ameliorating physical and chemical properties of highly weathered soils in the tropics with charcoal - A review

Glaser, Bruno, Lehmann, Johannes, Zech, Wolfgang·2002·Biology and Fertility of Soils
DOI 10.1007/s00374-002-0466-4
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Abstract

Rapid turnover of organic matter leads to a low efficiency of organic fertilizers applied to increase and sequester C in soils of the humid tropics. Charcoal was reported to be responsible for high soil organic matter contents and soil fertility of anthropogenic soils (Terra Preta) found in central Amazonia. Therefore, we reviewed the available information about the physical and chemical properties of charcoal as affected by different combustion procedures, and the effects of its application in agricultural fields on nutrient retention and crop production. Higher nutrient retention and nutrient availability were found after charcoal additions to soil, related to higher exchange capacity, surface area and direct nutrient additions. Higher charring temperatures generally improved exchange properties and surface area of the charcoal. Additionally, charcoal is relatively recalcitrant and can therefore be used as a long-term sink for atmospheric CO2. Several aspects of a charcoal management system remain unclear, such as the role of microorganisms in oxidizing charcoal surfaces and releasing nutrients and the possibilities to improve charcoal properties during production under field conditions. Several research needs were identified, such as field testing of charcoal production in tropical agroecosystems, the investigation of surface properties of the carbonized materials in the soil environment, and the evaluation of the agronomic and economic effectiveness of soil management with charcoal.

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Crossref · 10.1007/s00374-002-0466-4

Cites

74 of 74 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • The oxidation of aromatic C and formation of carboxyl groups is the main reason for high CEC.

    “Glaser et al. (2002) suggested the oxidation of aromatic C and formation of carboxyl groups to be the main reason for high CEC.”

    From Biochar physicochemical properties: pyrolysis temperature and feedstock kind effects (2020) · cites this paper as Glaser et al. 2002

  • Soil application with biochar at a level of 68 t ha−1 increased biomass of rice (Oryza sativa L.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) by 20 and 50%, respectively, and increased cowpea biomass by 100% when biochar was applied at a level of 137 t ha−1.

    “In addition, soil application with biochar at a level of 68 t ha À1 increased biomass of rice (Oryza sativa L.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) by 20 and 50%, respectively, and increased cowpea biomass by 100% when biochar was applied at a level of 137 t ha À1 (Glaser et al., 2002).”

    From Biochar implications for sustainable agriculture and environment: A review (2019) · cites this paper as Glaser et al., 2002

  • Addition of biochars significantly improved soil capacity to retain and adsorb plant nutrients and decrease leaching nutrient losses.

    “It has been reported that addition of biochars significantly improved soil capacity to retain and adsorb plant nutrients and decrease leaching nutrient losses (Glaser et al., 2002;Lehmann et al., 2003;Uzoma et al., 2011b).”

    From Biochar implications for sustainable agriculture and environment: A review (2019) · cites this paper as Glaser et al., 2002

  • Biochar acts as a liming agent and can drastically reduce Al concentration in most degraded soils.

    “The Al concentration can be reduced drastically by addition of biochar that acts as a liming agent in most of the degraded soils (Glaser et al., 2002;Major et al., 2010;Martinsen et al., 2015;Van Zwieten et al., 2010;Yamato et al., 2006).”

    From Biochar improves maize growth by alleviation of nutrient stress in a moderately acidic low-input Nepalese soil (2018) · cites this paper as Glaser et al., 2002

  • Biochar addition increases soil pH, base saturation, nutrient retention capacity and soil CEC, and reduces nutrient leaching.

    “Besides increasing soil pH (higher Ca/Al ratios and higher PO 4 -3 availability) and base saturation (BS) (Glaser et al., 2002;Martinsen et al., 2015) the addition of biochar increases nutrient retention capacity and soil CEC (Chan et al., 2008;Liang et al., 2006) and thus reduces nutrient leaching (Hale et al., 2013;Laird et al., 2010;Martinsen et al., 2014;Steiner et al., 2007).”

    From Biochar improves maize growth by alleviation of nutrient stress in a moderately acidic low-input Nepalese soil (2018) · cites this paper as Glaser et al., 2002

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Authors
Glaser, B., Lehmann, J., & Zech, W.
Affiliations
  • University of Bayreuth (DE)
  • Cornell University (US)
ORCID
Venue
Biology and Fertility of Soils
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2002-06-01
Volume
35
Issue
4
Pages
219-230
ISSN
  • 0178-2762 (ISSN-L)
  • 1432-0789
DOI
10.1007/s00374-002-0466-4
OpenAlex
W2126768074
Cited by
2,890
References
76
Citations by year
2026: 95 · 2025: 127 · 2024: 130 · 2023: 185 · 2022: 198 · 2021: 208 · 2020: 224 · 2019: 204 · 2018: 198 · 2017: 186 · 2016: 176 · 2015: 178 · 2014: 176 · 2013: 159 · 2012: 131
FWCI
18.88
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations
  • Biology and Fertility of Soils (publishedVersion)
  • VTechWorks (Virginia Tech) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Soil Science › Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Soil Science › Agricultural Science and Fertilization
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Soil Science › Soil Management and Crop Yield
Keywords
biochar, charcoal, terra preta, highly weathered soils, tropical soils, soil organic matter, soil fertility, nutrient retention, cation exchange capacity, charring temperature, soil carbon sequestration, charcoal combustion, soil physical properties, soil chemical properties, crop production, microorganisms, anthropogenic soils

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