Reviewing the role of biochar in paddy soils: An agricultural and environmental perspective

• Published in: Ecotoxicology and environmental safety 2023-09, Vol.263, p.115228-115228, Article 115228
• Main Authors: Bagheri Novair, Sepideh, Cheraghi, Meysam, Faramarzi, Farzaneh, Asgari Lajayer, Behnam, Senapathi, Venkatramanan, Astatkie, Tess, Price, G.W.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biochar; Environmental health; Greenhouse gas emissions; Microbial community; Nitrogen and Carbon cycling
• ISSN: 0147-6513; 1090-2414
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115228

The main challenge of the twenty-first century is to find a balance between environmental sustainability and crop productivity in a world with a rapidly growing population. Soil health is the backbone of a resilient environment and stable food production systems. In recent years, the use of biochar to bind nutrients, sorption of pollutants, and increase crop productivity has gained popularity. This article reviews key recent studies on the environmental impacts of biochar and the benefits of its unique physicochemical features in paddy soils. This review provides critical information on the role of biochar properties on environmental pollutants, carbon and nitrogen cycling, plant growth regulation, and microbial activities. Biochar improves the soil properties of paddy soils through increasing microbial activities and nutrient availability, accelerating carbon and nitrogen cycle, and reducing the availability of heavy metals and micropollutants. For example, a study showed that the application of a maximum of 40 t ha−1 of biochar from rice husks prior to cultivation (at high temperature and slow pyrolysis) increases nutrient utilization and rice grain yield by 40%. Biochar can be used to minimize the use of chemical fertilizers to ensure sustainable food production. [Display omitted] •The importance of biochar residues in paddy soil for sustainable rice production is reviewed.•Little is known about the biochar production engineered for specific properties for use in flooded soils.•Biochar addition can improve nutrients use and rice yield in a paddy soil.•Biochar has a positive impact on rice paddy production soils and nutrient use efficiency.•Knowing the role of biochar on agricultural greenhouse-gas emission for the long-term is needed.