Biochar as a Tool to Reduce the Agricultural Greenhouse-Gas Burden – Knowns, Unknowns and Future Research Needs

Kammann, Claudia; Ippolito, James A.; Hagemann, Nikolas; Borchard, Nils; Cayuela, María Luz; Estavillo, J. M.; Fuertes‐Mendizábal, Teresa; Jeffery, Simon; Kern, Jürgen; Novak, Jeff; Rasse, Daniel P.; Saarnio, Sanna; Schmidt, Hans‐Peter; Spokas, Kurt A.; Wrage‐Mönnig, Nicole

doi:10.3846/16486897.2017.1319375

Cited by 170 publications

(103 citation statements)

References 200 publications

(273 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…A meta-analysis by Jeffery et al (2011) indicates that crop productivity increases by 10% on average following biochar soil amendment, but yield effects ranged between positive and negative with different soil types, environmental, and management conditions. Further effects of biochar amendments include lower emissions of N 2 O and CH 4 , where lower CH 4 emissions were measured especially on flooded soils (Kammann et al 2017). Biochar can also have a positive effect on the soil's water balance.…”

Section: Biocharmentioning

confidence: 99%

Negative emissions—Part 2: Costs, potentials and side effects

Fuss

Lamb

Callaghan

et al. 2018

Environ. Res. Lett.

1,101

901

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Section: Biocharmentioning

confidence: 99%

Negative emissions—Part 2: Costs, potentials and side effects

Fuss

Lamb

Callaghan

et al. 2018

Environ. Res. Lett.

1,101

901

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…The use of char as a feed additive for farm animals have been known for some time, and the results of such supplementation among different groups of animals are, in general, affirmative. This means better digestion, feed conversion ratio, weight gain, or GHGs emission mitigation, and also as a medication against intoxication and bacteriological or viral diseases [49]. Given the above, the use of BC as a dietary inclusion for animal nutrition seems to be a promising solution, and such research direction has recently emerged.…”

Section: Biochar As a Feed Additivementioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of Biochar Properties and Their Utilization in Crop Agriculture and Livestock Production

2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

When it comes to the use of biochar in agriculture, the majority of research conducted in the last decade has focused on its application as a soil amendment and for soil remediation. This treatment improves soil quality, increases crops yields, and sequestrates atmospheric carbon to the soil. Another widely studied aspect connecting biochar with agriculture is the composting processes of various agricultural waste with the addition of biochar. Obtaining the material via the pyrolysis of agricultural waste, including animal manure, has also been investigated. However, given the remarkable properties of biochar, its application potential could be utilized in other areas not yet thoroughly investigated. This review paper summarizes the last decade of research on biochar and its use in crop agriculture and livestock production. Knowledge gaps are highlighted, such as using biochar for the mitigation of odorous emissions from animal manure and by feeding the biochar to animals.

show abstract

“…Cropping systems and management practices that sequester carbon in soils and standing biomass, e.g. through the use of catch crops (Poeplau and Don 2015), biochar (Kammann et al 2017) or agroforestry (Fagerholm et al 2016), can also reduce the climate impacts, while promoting soil fertility and increased crop yields.…”

Section: Emissions Of Greenhouse Gasesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risks and opportunities of increasing yields in organic farming. A review

Röös

Mie

Wivstad

et al. 2018

Agron. Sustain. Dev.

196

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Current organic agriculture performs well in several sustainability domains, like animal welfare, farm profitability and low pesticide use, but yields are commonly lower than in conventional farming. There is now a revitalized interest in increasing yields in organic agriculture to provide more organic food for a growing, more affluent population and reduce negative impacts per unit produced. However, past yield increases have been accompanied by several negative side-effects. Here, we review risks and opportunities related to a broad range of sustainability domains associated with increasing yields in organic agriculture in the Northern European context. We identify increased N input, weed, disease and pest control, improved livestock feeding, breeding for higher yields and reduced losses as the main measures for yield increases. We review the implications of their implementation for biodiversity, greenhouse gas emissions, nutrient losses, soil fertility, animal health and welfare, human nutrition and health and farm profitability. Our findings from this first-of-its-kind integrated analysis reveal which strategies for increasing yields are unlikely to produce negative side-effects and therefore should be a high priority, and which strategies need to be implemented with great attention to trade-offs. For example, increased N inputs in cropping carry many risks and few opportunities, whereas there are many risk-free opportunities for improved pest control through the management of ecosystem services. For most yield increasing strategies, both risks and opportunities arise, and the actual effect depends on management including active mitigation of side-effects. Our review shows that, to be a driving force for increased food system sustainability, organic agriculture may need to reconsider certain fundamental principles. Novel plant nutrient sources, including increased nutrient recycling in society, and in some cases mineral nitrogen fertilisers from renewable sources, and truly alternative animal production systems may need to be developed and accepted.

show abstract

Biochar as a Tool to Reduce the Agricultural Greenhouse-Gas Burden – Knowns, Unknowns and Future Research Needs

Cited by 170 publications

References 200 publications

Negative emissions—Part 2: Costs, potentials and side effects

Negative emissions—Part 2: Costs, potentials and side effects

A Review of Biochar Properties and Their Utilization in Crop Agriculture and Livestock Production

Risks and opportunities of increasing yields in organic farming. A review

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About