Biochar effects on nutrient leaching
Shahla Hosseini Bai, Michael B. Farrar, Marta Gallart, Frédérique Reverchon, Sarasadat Taherymoosavi, Negar Omidvar, Edith Kichamu‐Wachira, Stephen Joseph
Abstract
Biochar is considered a promising soil amendment to reduce soil nutrient leaching. Nutrient leaching is mediated by various mechanisms and is influenced by biochar and soil characteristics, environmental factors, and management practices. This chapter will focus on nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and calcium (Ca) due to their importance for plant growth, sodium (Na) due to its importance in soil salinity and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) due to its importance for soil microbes and environmental chemistry. This chapter will review biochar properties and the mechanisms involved with nutrient leaching and provide suggestions to improve biochar application practices in order to mitigate nutrient leaching.