Dr. Gayatri Sahu is currently working as an Assistant Professor in Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry at Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan deemed to be university, Bhubaneswar. She has a keen interest in soil fertility, resource conservation agriculture and environmental sciences. She is very much engaged in teaching as well as research assignments in the field of soil fertility.
Current agriculture faces multiple challenges due to boom in food demand and environmental concerns. Biochar is increasingly being recognized by scientists and policy makers for its potential role in carbon sequestration, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy, waste mitigation and as a soil amendment. The purpose of this review is to provide a balanced perspective on the agronomic and environmental impacts of biochar amendment to soil. Application of biochar to soil can play a significant role in the alteration of nutrients dynamics, soil contaminants as well as microbial functions. Therefore, strategic biochar application to soil may provide agronomic, environmental and economic benefits. Recent findings also supported that in order to enhance crop yield, improve soil quality and soil health, biochar has proven significant role as fertilizer and soil conditioner respectively.
Part of the book: Soil Erosion