Biochar - Solid Carbon for Sustainable Agriculture explores the potential of biochar, a form of charcoal produced from organic materials, to improve soil health, increase crop yields, and mitigate climate change. This book offers a comprehensive overview of biochar and its applications in sustainable agriculture.
The book begins by introducing the concept of biochar and its historical use in agriculture. Next, the content deals with the production methods and properties of biochar, providing insights into its chemical composition and physical characteristics. Subsequent chapters explore the diverse applications of biochar in agriculture, including its role in soil fertility improvement, carbon sequestration, and pollution remediation. Case studies and practical examples illustrate the effectiveness of biochar across different agricultural settings. The authors also discuss the potential challenges and future directions of biochar research and application.
This book is essential reading for agronomists, soil scientists, environmental scientists, farmers, policymakers, and anyone interested in sustainable agriculture and climate change mitigation strategies.
Readership
Agronomists, soil scientists, environmental scientists, farmers, policymakers, and anyone interested in sustainable agriculture and climate change initiatives.
Table of Contents
PREFACE
ENDORSEMENT
LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS
CHAPTER 1 THE SCIENCE OF BIOCHAR PRODUCTION: UNDERSTANDING THE FORMATION AND CHARACTERISTICS OF BIOCHAR
Rubab Sarfraz, Muhammad Tayyab, Awais Shakoor, Muhammad Waqas Khan, Tarin and Iqra Sahar
INTRODUCTION
- Origin of Biochar
- Production and Formation of Biochar
- Biomass for Biochar Generation
- Biochar Production Methods
- Fast Pyrolysis
- Slow Pyrolysis
- Gasification
- Factors Influencing Biochar Characteristics
- Biochar Physicochemical Properties
- Biochar Macronutrients Contents
- Biochar Heavy Metal Contents
- Production of Biochar with the Intention of Agronomic and Environmental Benefits
- Future Perspective
CONCLUSION
REFERENCES
CHAPTER 2 EFFECT OF BIOCHAR ON SOIL PROPERTIES
- Shazia Iqbal, Humaira Aziz, Munaza Naseem and Muhammad Irfan
INTRODUCTION
- What Does Physical Soil Health Mean?
EFFECT OF BIOCHAR ON SOIL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- Surface Area and Porosity
- Bulk Density and Aggregation
- Hydrological Characteristics
- Water Retention and Plant Available Water
IMPACT OF BIOCHAR ON SOIL CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Soil pH
Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC
Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC)
Soil Organic Matter (SOM)
CONCLUSION
REFERENCES
CHAPTER 3 IMPACT OF BIOCHAR ON SOIL ORGANISMS
Bushra Nisar Khan
INTRODUCTION
IMPACT OF BIOCHAR ON SOIL BIOTA
- Responses of the Soil Biota to Biochar
- Soil Macroorganisms
- Earthworms and Biochar
- Nematodes and Biochar
- Microarthropods
SOIL MICROORGANISMS
- Bacteria as Soil Microorganisms
- Soil Bacteria
- Decomposers
- Nitrogen Fixers or Nitrifying Bacteria
- Denitrifiers
- Mutualists
- Pathogenic Bacteria
- Disease Suppressors
- Sulfur Oxidizers
- Actinomycetes or Actinobacteria
- Fungi as Soil Microorganisms
- Types and Examples of Fungi Found in Soil
- Decomposers
- Mycelial Fungi
- Disease Suppressors
- Mutualists
- Pathogens
- Algae as Soil Microorganisms
- Protozoa as a Soil Microorganism
- Types of Protozoa Found in Soil
- Flagellates
- Amoebae
- Ciliates
- Actinomycetes as Soil Microorganisms
- Positive Effects of Actinomycetes in Soil
- Viruses as Soil Microorganisms
ABUNDANCE OF MICROORGANISMS
- Influence of Nutrient and Carbon Availability on Microbial Abundance
- Influence of pH on Microbial Abundance
- Impact of Bacterial Adherence to Biochar on Microbial Abundance
BACTERIAL COMMUNITY COMPOSITION
- Functional Ecology of Microorganisms with Biochar
- Microorganisms, Biochar and Plant Growth
EFFECT OF BIOCHAR ON SOIL ENZYMES ACTIVITY
- Complexity of Enzyme Activity in Soil
- Effect of Low-Temperature Biochar on Different Enzymes
- Enzymes of the C Cycle
- Enzymes of the N and P Cycle
- Impact of Low and High-Temperature Biochar on Different Enzymes
- Impact of Biochar on Sucrase Activities
- Impact of Biochar on Phosphatase Activities
- Effect of Biochar on Urease Activity
CONCLUSION
REFERENCES
CHAPTER 4 IMPACT OF BIOCHAR ON PLANT PATHOGEN CONTROL
- Adnan Akhter, Muhammad Taqqi Abbas, Waheed Anwar, Tiyyabah Khan and Hafiz, Azhar Ali Khan
INTRODUCTION
PLANT-BIOTIC INTERACTIONS WITH BIOCHAR
- Uses of Biochar
- Biochar and Plant-pathogenic Bacteria
- Biochar for the Control of Plant-pathogenic Fungi
- Plant-pathogenic Oomycetes and Biochar
- Role of Biochar to Control Nematodes
- Role of Biochar Against Pests and Weeds
CONCLUSION AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVE
REFERENCES
CHAPTER 5 IMPACT OF BIOCHAR ON CROP YIELD AND PRODUCTION
Sajid Ali, Adnan Zahid, Mukhtar Ahmed, Ammara Fatima, Asma Ayub, Aisha, Zahra and Aamir Shahzad
INTRODUCTION
- Role of Biochar on Plant Physio-Morphological Attributes
- Impact of Biochar on Crop Productivity and Quality-A Meta-Analysis
- Yield Increase under Long-Term Biochar Application
- Yield Reduction under Biochar Application
- Crop Productivity and Biochar: The Mechanisms
- Availability of Essential Nutrients
- Biochar Liming Effect
- Soil Water Holding and Porosity Effect
- Effect of Soil Biological Properties
- Role of Biochar in Crop Resilience for Crop Productivity
- Biochar Application and Food Security
- A Decision-Support Framework for Biochar
CONCLUDING REMARKS
REFERENCES
CHAPTER 6 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS OF BIOCHAR
Munaza Naseem, Shazia Iqbal, Hina Malik, Muhammad Awais, Sarvet Jehan and, Shazia Jabeen
INTRODUCTION
- Removal of Heavy Metals
- Biochar Mechanism for Metal Removal
- Ion Exchange
- Precipitation
- Complexation
- Electrostatic Absorption
- Greenhouse Gases
- Properties, Qualities, and Environmental Risks
- Impacts on Greenhouse Gas Balance
- Effects on Nitrous Oxide and Methane Emissions from Soil
- Climate Change Mitigation
- Carbon Sequestration
- Role of Biochar in Carbon Sequestration
- Influence of Biochar on Native Soil Organic Carbon
- Carbon Sequestration and Greenhouse Gas Emission
- Potential and Role of Biochar in Reducing Emissions
CONCLUSION
REFERENCES
CHAPTER 7 POTENTIAL LIMITATIONS OF BIOCHAR
- Rashid Mahmood, Ammara Arooj and Rubab Sarfraz
INTRODUCTION
- Agricultural Soils
- Soil-Specific Effects
- Plant-Specific Effects
- Environment
- NH3-NOx Emission
- Black Carbon PM Exposure
- Leaching of Heavy Metals and PAHs
- Economics
CONCLUSION
REFERENCES
CHAPTER 8 FUTURE PERSPECTIVES
SUBJECT INDEX
Author
- Rubab Sarfraz
- Christopher Rensing
