Biochar improves soil fertility by enhancing soil structure, increasing water retention, and promoting nutrient retention and availability. It also provides a habitat for beneficial microorganisms, thus fostering a healthier soil ecosystem.
While converting crop stubbles to biochar could potentially reduce the need for fertilizers by returning organic matter and nutrients to the soil, there are several reasons why farmers might not adopt this practice:
Cost and Infrastructure: Converting crop stubbles to biochar requires specialized equipment and infrastructure, which can be costly for farmers, especially small-scale ones.
Time and Labor: Biochar production requires time and labor, which may not be feasible for farmers already managing busy schedules during planting and harvesting seasons.
Market Demand: Farmers may lack immediate market demand or incentives for biochar, making it less economically viable compared to other uses for crop stubbles such as animal feed or bedding.
Awareness and Education: Some farmers may not be aware of the benefits of biochar or how to effectively integrate it into their farming practices.
Regulatory Constraints: Regulations and policies related to biochar production and use may vary by region, potentially creating barriers or uncertainties for farmers.
Overall, while biochar holds promise for improving soil fertility and sustainability, its widespread adoption may require addressing these practical challenges and increasing awareness among farmers about its benefits.
Biochar increases the availability of C, N, Ca, Mg, K, and P to plants, because biochar absorbs and slowly releases fertilizers. It also helps to prevent fertilizer drainage and leaching by allowing less fertilizer use and reducing agricultural pollution in the surrounding environment. While biochar is not a fertilizer, research indicates it can help retain nutrients in the soil due its charged surface and high surface area which allow it to adsorb nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon. Typically, there is not enough crop stubble to make much char but they do plow it back into the land where it becomes humus to improve the tilth of the soil. Macronutrient-enriched biochars have potential for nutrient recycling from waste, enhance soil fertility, reduce consumption of fertilizers, and thereby promoting sustainable agriculture.