Soil health and crop response of biochar: an updated analysis
Abstract
Sustainable agriculture has been consistently challenged due to the menace of changing climate, thereby, causing depletion in carrying capacity of soil vis-à-vis agronomic response of crop. Of late, biochar has turned out to be the most promising option to address these issues. The present review takes stock of the research work accrued under varied agro-pedological conditions, highlighting the response of biochar in a soil-plant-environment continuum. The properties of biochar depended hugely on the source of feedstock and pyrolysis conditions, with its uniqueness resting with high specific surface area and stable carbon source, pre-disposing to better soil health associated crop responses. However, the current biochar recommendations for different crops are high, unless evaluated in combination with fertilizers or organic manures to address both short-term and long-term benefits through soil carbon mediated nutrient supply chain for sustainable crop performance. The role of biochar in scavenging the soil pollutants and pesticide residues, and reducing the emission of greenhouse gases has perched this carbon source with an added advantage over other conventionally used carbon sources. Authors have put forward future issues with an emphasis on the development of crop-based value-chain management of biochar.
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This phytostabilization mechanism can be further enhanced by cultivating M × g in conjunction with biochar amendments, which improve soil structure and increase nutrient availability while simultaneously immobilizing PTEs and reducing their uptake into above-ground tissues.
“This phytoremediation mechanism can be further enhanced by cultivating the plant in conjunction with biochar amendments, which improve soil structure and increase nutrient availability while simultaneously immobilizing PTEs and reducing their uptake into above-ground tissues [20, 21].”
From Differential effects of sewage sludge and food waste biochars on <i>Miscanthus × giganteus</i> phytostabilization on acidic brownfield soil (2026) · cites this paper as [21]
Biochar applied to soil can improve soil health, enhance plant productivity and phytoremediation by immobilizing pollutants, increasing soil pH, enriching microbial activity, and improving soil structure and nutrient availability.
“When applied as an amendment to the soil, this material can improve soil health, enhance plant productivity and phytoremediation by immobilizing pollutants, increasing soil pH, enriching microbial activity, and improving soil structure and nutrient availability [19–21].”
From Differential effects of sewage sludge and food waste biochars on <i>Miscanthus × giganteus</i> phytostabilization on acidic brownfield soil (2026) · cites this paper as [21]
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Newton, R. A., Souki, K. S. A., Kwoczynski, Z., Popelka, J., & Pidlisnyuk, V. (2026) · Environmental Research Communications · doi:10.1088/2515-7620/ae6237 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“This phytoremediation mechanism can be further enhanced by cultivating the plant in conjunction with biochar amendments, which improve soil structure and increase nutrient availability while simultaneously immobilizing PTEs and reducing their uptake into above-ground tissues [20, 21].”
- Authors
- Mousavi, S. M., Srivastava, A. K., & Cheraghi, M.
- Affiliations
- Agricultural Research & Education Organization (IR)
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research (IN)
- University of Tehran (IR)
- Corresponding author
- Mousavi, Seyed Majid
- Venue
- Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2022-03-30
- Volume
- 69
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 1085-1110
- ISSN
- 0365-0340 (ISSN-L)
- 1476-3567
- OpenAlex
- W4220890363
- Cited by
- 58
- References
- 16
- Citations by year
- 2026: 10 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 9
- FWCI
- 6.74
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- sectors
- 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, soil health, crop response, pyrolysis conditions, soil carbon sequestration, nutrient supply, pesticide residues, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, sustainable agriculture, value chain management
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