Biochar-Based Fertilizers: Advancements, Applications, and Future Directions in Sustainable Agriculture—A Review

Amid escalating global demands for both enhanced agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability, biochar-based fertilizers have emerged as a promising solution in modern agriculture. These fertilizers, made from biochar derived from agricultural residues, have shown considerable potentia...

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Main Authors: Peiyu Luo, Weikang Zhang, Dan Xiao, Jiajing Hu, Na Li, Jinfeng Yang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Agronomy
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/5/1104
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author Peiyu Luo
Weikang Zhang
Dan Xiao
Jiajing Hu
Na Li
Jinfeng Yang
author_facet Peiyu Luo
Weikang Zhang
Dan Xiao
Jiajing Hu
Na Li
Jinfeng Yang
author_sort Peiyu Luo
collection DOAJ
description Amid escalating global demands for both enhanced agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability, biochar-based fertilizers have emerged as a promising solution in modern agriculture. These fertilizers, made from biochar derived from agricultural residues, have shown considerable potential in improving soil quality, enhancing nutrient release dynamics, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This review systematically examines the production technologies, application strategies, and potential environmental and agronomic benefits of biochar-based fertilizers. Studies highlight their ability to improve soil structure, increase soil organic matter, and boost nutrient utilization efficiency, which contribute to higher crop yields and better crop quality. Moreover, biochar-based fertilizers have demonstrated notable environmental advantages, such as reducing the emissions of methane (CH<sub>4</sub>) and nitrous oxide (N<sub>2</sub>O), while promoting sustainable resource recycling. However, challenges such as production costs, variability in efficacy across different soil types, and the need for further optimization in formulation and application remain. Future research should focus on improving production efficiency, optimizing biochar-based fertilizer formulations, and conducting long-term field trials to validate their ecological and agronomic performance. This review provides valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners, offering a comprehensive theoretical framework for the integration of biochar-based fertilizers into sustainable agricultural practices.
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publishDate 2025-04-01
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spelling doaj-art-ace8801ac87e4052938b98370efaf3952025-08-20T03:14:29ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952025-04-01155110410.3390/agronomy15051104Biochar-Based Fertilizers: Advancements, Applications, and Future Directions in Sustainable Agriculture—A ReviewPeiyu Luo0Weikang Zhang1Dan Xiao2Jiajing Hu3Na Li4Jinfeng Yang5College of Land and Environment, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, ChinaCollege of Land and Environment, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, ChinaFaku County Rural Revitalization Development Center, Shenyang 110034, ChinaCollege of Land and Environment, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, ChinaCollege of Land and Environment, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, ChinaCollege of Land and Environment, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, ChinaAmid escalating global demands for both enhanced agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability, biochar-based fertilizers have emerged as a promising solution in modern agriculture. These fertilizers, made from biochar derived from agricultural residues, have shown considerable potential in improving soil quality, enhancing nutrient release dynamics, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This review systematically examines the production technologies, application strategies, and potential environmental and agronomic benefits of biochar-based fertilizers. Studies highlight their ability to improve soil structure, increase soil organic matter, and boost nutrient utilization efficiency, which contribute to higher crop yields and better crop quality. Moreover, biochar-based fertilizers have demonstrated notable environmental advantages, such as reducing the emissions of methane (CH<sub>4</sub>) and nitrous oxide (N<sub>2</sub>O), while promoting sustainable resource recycling. However, challenges such as production costs, variability in efficacy across different soil types, and the need for further optimization in formulation and application remain. Future research should focus on improving production efficiency, optimizing biochar-based fertilizer formulations, and conducting long-term field trials to validate their ecological and agronomic performance. This review provides valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners, offering a comprehensive theoretical framework for the integration of biochar-based fertilizers into sustainable agricultural practices.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/5/1104biochar-based fertilizersustainable agriculturegreenhouse gas emissionssoil improvementnutrient release
spellingShingle Peiyu Luo
Weikang Zhang
Dan Xiao
Jiajing Hu
Na Li
Jinfeng Yang
Biochar-Based Fertilizers: Advancements, Applications, and Future Directions in Sustainable Agriculture—A Review
Agronomy
biochar-based fertilizer
sustainable agriculture
greenhouse gas emissions
soil improvement
nutrient release
title Biochar-Based Fertilizers: Advancements, Applications, and Future Directions in Sustainable Agriculture—A Review
title_full Biochar-Based Fertilizers: Advancements, Applications, and Future Directions in Sustainable Agriculture—A Review
title_fullStr Biochar-Based Fertilizers: Advancements, Applications, and Future Directions in Sustainable Agriculture—A Review
title_full_unstemmed Biochar-Based Fertilizers: Advancements, Applications, and Future Directions in Sustainable Agriculture—A Review
title_short Biochar-Based Fertilizers: Advancements, Applications, and Future Directions in Sustainable Agriculture—A Review
title_sort biochar based fertilizers advancements applications and future directions in sustainable agriculture a review
topic biochar-based fertilizer
sustainable agriculture
greenhouse gas emissions
soil improvement
nutrient release
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/5/1104
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