Biochar application for sustainable soil erosion control: a review of current research and future perspectives

Soil erosion is a pressing environmental issue with significant agricultural productivity and ecosystem stability implications. In recent years, biochar, a carbon-rich product of biomass pyrolysis, has emerged as a promising soil amendment tool for erosion control due to its ability to improve soil...

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Main Author: Prabhakar Sharma
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Environmental Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2024.1373287/full
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author Prabhakar Sharma
author_facet Prabhakar Sharma
author_sort Prabhakar Sharma
collection DOAJ
description Soil erosion is a pressing environmental issue with significant agricultural productivity and ecosystem stability implications. In recent years, biochar, a carbon-rich product of biomass pyrolysis, has emerged as a promising soil amendment tool for erosion control due to its ability to improve soil quality and stability. This review paper aims to comprehensively analyze the effectiveness of biochar role in mitigation of soil erosion and sustainable land management practices. By examining a wide range of research studies, this paper elucidates the impact of biochar on key soil erosion parameters as it directly affects the soil structure, water-holding capacity, and nutrient retention. The paper discusses how biochar interacts with soil particles and aggregates to enhance their stability and resistance to erosive forces. It also assesses the influence of biochar properties, such as feedstock type, pyrolysis temperature, and application rate, on its erosion control efficacy. Furthermore, this review explores the role of biochar in promoting plant growth and root development, thereby reinforcing the vegetation cover and further reducing erosion susceptibility. Finally, an outline of potential challenges and opportunities for the widespread adoption of biochar-based erosion control strategies in different agricultural and environmental contexts is presented. Overall, this review provides valuable insights into the multifacet role of biochar in sustainable soil management and offers recommendations for future research directions on direct and indirect application on soil erosion control.
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spelling doaj.art-9fe71662650d4d36b5a477b9e91c8e4d2024-03-27T04:33:08ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Environmental Science2296-665X2024-03-011210.3389/fenvs.2024.13732871373287Biochar application for sustainable soil erosion control: a review of current research and future perspectivesPrabhakar SharmaSoil erosion is a pressing environmental issue with significant agricultural productivity and ecosystem stability implications. In recent years, biochar, a carbon-rich product of biomass pyrolysis, has emerged as a promising soil amendment tool for erosion control due to its ability to improve soil quality and stability. This review paper aims to comprehensively analyze the effectiveness of biochar role in mitigation of soil erosion and sustainable land management practices. By examining a wide range of research studies, this paper elucidates the impact of biochar on key soil erosion parameters as it directly affects the soil structure, water-holding capacity, and nutrient retention. The paper discusses how biochar interacts with soil particles and aggregates to enhance their stability and resistance to erosive forces. It also assesses the influence of biochar properties, such as feedstock type, pyrolysis temperature, and application rate, on its erosion control efficacy. Furthermore, this review explores the role of biochar in promoting plant growth and root development, thereby reinforcing the vegetation cover and further reducing erosion susceptibility. Finally, an outline of potential challenges and opportunities for the widespread adoption of biochar-based erosion control strategies in different agricultural and environmental contexts is presented. Overall, this review provides valuable insights into the multifacet role of biochar in sustainable soil management and offers recommendations for future research directions on direct and indirect application on soil erosion control.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2024.1373287/fullbiocharsoil erosionerosion control mechanismssoil amendmentsoil quality
spellingShingle Prabhakar Sharma
Biochar application for sustainable soil erosion control: a review of current research and future perspectives
Frontiers in Environmental Science
biochar
soil erosion
erosion control mechanisms
soil amendment
soil quality
title Biochar application for sustainable soil erosion control: a review of current research and future perspectives
title_full Biochar application for sustainable soil erosion control: a review of current research and future perspectives
title_fullStr Biochar application for sustainable soil erosion control: a review of current research and future perspectives
title_full_unstemmed Biochar application for sustainable soil erosion control: a review of current research and future perspectives
title_short Biochar application for sustainable soil erosion control: a review of current research and future perspectives
title_sort biochar application for sustainable soil erosion control a review of current research and future perspectives
topic biochar
soil erosion
erosion control mechanisms
soil amendment
soil quality
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2024.1373287/full
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