Biochar in Agriculture: Enhancing Soil Health and Sustainability
What is biochar?
Why is it important?
Biochar is a carbon-rich material created by heating organic biomass, such as agricultural waste or woody plant residues, in a low-oxygen environment. This process, known as pyrolysis, stabilizes the carbon in the material and results in a porous, charcoal-like substance. Biochar can be added to soil to improve its physical and chemical properties.
Biochar plays a key role in sustainable agriculture and climate resilience. It improves soil structure, enhances water retention, increases microbial activity, and helps sequester carbon for the long term. These benefits contribute to healthier soils, better crop yields, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
This page offers a curated set of resources to help farmers, educators, and researchers explore how biochar can be used effectively, from introductory guides to advanced research and implementation strategies.
Research-Based Podcast Series
Interested in learning more about biochar in a more accessible, on-the-go format? We’ve created a series of Spotify podcast episodes that dive into key topics covered throughout this website, all grounded in peer-reviewed research and scholarly publications.
These episodes discuss the latest findings in the field and unpack the science behind biochar’s environmental, agricultural, and climate-related impacts. Whether you’re an experienced researcher, a student, a grower, or simply curious about sustainable practices, these conversations are designed to meet you where you are—making complex research more approachable and relevant.
We invite you to click on each Spotify link and listen in. These podcasts are a great way to engage with the latest biochar knowledge, stay up to date on current studies, and hear practical insights drawn directly from the academic literature.
Food Waste Digestates Boost Beneficial Citrus Microbes
1
Bokashi Fermentation Enhances Black Soldier Fly Larval Development
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Bokashi and Biochar Enhance Citrus Soil Health
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Organic Soil Amendments in Citrus Nurseries: Benefits and Costs
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Overview:
A variety of online resources offer valuable guidance on the production and application of biochar, catering to both small-scale and large-scale agricultural needs. These resources fall into two main categories: practical guides for making and using biochar, and research-based explorations of its environmental and agricultural impacts.
Guides:
The following resources provide practical, how-to instructions for making or sourcing biochar and applying it to soil. They include techniques for both small-scale backyard setups and larger farm-
based operations.
Specialized Topics:
These resources explore specific uses of biochar in addressing soil challenges such as acidity, poor water retention, and climate-related concerns. Some include best practices relevant to particular regions or environmental goals.
Online Resources
International Biochar Initiative (IBI):
The IBI provides a comprehensive introduction to biochar, emphasizing its role in climate change mitigation and sustainable agriculture. Their resources cover biochar production, benefits, and global applications.
USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS):
The USDA ARS offers detailed insights into biochar, including its definition, production methods, and potential agricultural benefits. The focus is on research-based information pertinent to U.S. agriculture.
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations:
The FAO discusses biochar within the context of sustainable soil management, highlighting its potential and constraints. The resource provides a global perspective on biochar's role in enhancing soil fertility and sequestering carbon.
Cornell University – How to Make and Use Biochar
Cornell's Lehmann Lab offers practical guidance on biochar production and its application in soil systems. The resources include research findings and methodologies for both small-scale and larger agricultural operations
International Biochar Initiative – Biochar Production Technologies
This resource covers a range of production methods—from simple backyard kilns to advanced industrial systems. It provides clear guidance for choosing the right technique based on your goals and scale.
US Biochar Initiative – “Smoke Into Biochar” Top-Down Burn Guide
This guideline provides step-by-step instructions for making biochar using the top-down pile burning technique, a cleaner-burning method suitable for small-scale production.
USDA Climate Hubs – Biochar and Climate Resilience
This resource delves into the role of biochar in climate change mitigation, discussing its carbon sequestration capabilities and impact on greenhouse gas emissions. It offers insights into integrating biochar into climate-resilient agricultural practices.
FAO – Biochar as a Soil Amendment
The FAO provides information on using biochar as a fertilizer, detailing how it can enhance nutrient availability and improve soil structure. This resource is useful for understanding the synergy between biochar and soil nutrients.
US Forest Service – Biochar Basics for Land Restoration
This resource discusses the application of biochar in forest ecosystems, including its benefits for soil health and potential use in land reclamation projects. It offers a specialized perspective on biochar's role beyond traditional agricultural settings.
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Recommended Books
Explore these curated books to deepen your understanding of biochar, its practical uses, and its role in sustainable agriculture and climate solutions. Each title is suited for a different level of reader, from beginner to advanced.
Video Resources
Explore these selected videos to deepen your understanding of biochar production, application, and innovative uses in sustainable agriculture.
Implementation Tips
The following tips offer practical guidance for producing, handling, and applying biochar effectively. Whether you're working on a small garden plot or a large farm, these best practices can help you get the most out of your biochar use.
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Additional Reading & References
For those interested in delving deeper into the science and application of biochar, the following peer-reviewed articles and extension resources offer comprehensive insights into its role in sustainable agriculture, soil health, and environmental management
Peer-Reviewed Articles:
Agronomy for Sustainable Development
Soil Biology & Biochemistry
Journal of Environmental Management
ResearchGate
Environmental Research
This review discusses how biochar enhances soil fertility, promotes plant growth, increases crop yield, and reduces soil contamination. It emphasizes biochar's properties, such as high surface area and nutrient content, contributing to its effectiveness as a soil amendment.
This study examines the long-term impacts of biochar application on soil properties and microbial communities, highlighting improvements in soil fertility even under intensive agriculture practices.
The article explores biochar's potential as a sustainable input in agriculture, focusing on its ability to sequester carbon and improve soil health over the long term.
This publication delves into how biochar influences soil nutrient dynamics, affecting soil fertility and plant productivity through alterations in nutrient availability and transformations.
The paper discusses sustainable production methods for biochar and its applications in environmental management, emphasizing its role in carbon sequestration and soil improvement.
Extension Service Fact Sheets:
Oklahoma State University Extention:
Penn State Extention:
Colorado State University Extention:
Utah State University Extention:
ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture Program:
This fact sheet provides guidance on selecting appropriate feedstocks, production methods, and application techniques for using biochar to enhance soil quality.
An overview of biochar's characteristics and its potential benefits in agriculture, including improved soil structure, water retention, and nutrient absorption.
This guide outlines best practices for biochar application in agriculture, addressing factors like application rates, integration with compost, and environmental considerations.
Focused on the use of biochar in forest ecosystems, this fact sheet discusses production methods and applications for forest restoration efforts.
This publication explores biochar's role in sustainable agriculture, including its potential to enhance soil carbon sequestration and improve soil health.
Biochar offers a wide range of benefits for sustainable agriculture, improving soil structure and fertility, enhancing water retention, sequestering carbon, and supporting long-term soil health. Whether you're a backyard gardener or managing a large-scale farm, biochar can be a valuable tool in your soil management toolkit.
For those new to using biochar, we recommend beginning with small-scale trials in test plots. This approach allows for careful observation of its effects on soil properties, crop performance, and water usage before expanding to larger areas. Documenting and evaluating results over time will help refine application methods and ensure optimal outcomes.
Beyond soil enhancement, biochar contributes to climate resilience and environmental stewardship. Its ability to lock carbon into the soil for hundreds to thousands of years makes it a powerful carbon sequestration tool. Additionally, biochar supports microbial communities, reduces nutrient leaching, and can help remediate degraded or contaminated soils, making it a versatile amendment for ecological and agricultural restoration.
As always, ensure biomass for biochar production is sourced responsibly. Avoid chemically treated or contaminated materials, and prioritize clean, renewable feedstocks such as agricultural residues or sustainably harvested wood waste. Responsible sourcing is essential to uphold the environmental benefits biochar is meant to provide.
