Abstract

3.Biochar: Its uses and effects on agriculture
UmaNathShukla and Smita Singh
Biochar has a great potential and beneficial effect on enhancing soil fertility, carbon sequestration, crop yield, reducing nutrient leaching and greenhouse gas emissions, while enabling encourage waste disposition. Because of the potential for widespread application, it is essential to proactively assess and mitigate any unintended consequences associated with soil biochar amendment. Effects of biochar on soil fauna are even less understood than its effects on microorganisms, apart from several notable studies on earthworms. It is clear, however, that sorption phenomena, pH and physical properties of biochar such as pore structure, surface area and mineral matter play important roles in determining how different biochar affect soil biota.