The nature-based technology, biochar, could help save the planet. The work it takes to grow crops produces greenhouse gases that trap carbon in the atmosphere and would speed up the planet’s heating. New research finds biochar’s potential to eliminate large amounts of greenhouse gases could make farming more climate-friendly.
Biochar is a charcoal-like porous substance made by heating organic material — things like wood chips, crop residues, or even manure — in a low-oxygen environment. This process, called pyrolysis, transforms the material into a stable, carbon-rich substance that looks a bit like barbecue charcoal. But unlike the stuff you use for grilling, biochar has some remarkable properties when added to soil. The material is mainly used for crop production as a soil additive or to capture atmospheric carbon.
“When farmers grow their crops, they apply fertilizer and/or manure and use different kinds of machinery to till the soil,” says Raj Shrestha, a research associate in horticulture and crop science at The Ohio State University, in a statement. “In the process, greenhouse gases are produced and released into the atmosphere.”
In recent years, researchers have grown an interest in the technology because of the several agricultural and environmental benefits. Now the challenge is convincing farmers to adopt biochar in their farming practice. One way is to steer the conversation on how it can help extend soil life.
“If we can convince farmers that converting biomass to biochar is good for the long-term sustainability of soils, the economy, and good for the environment, then we’ll be able to see wide adoption of this technology,” Shrestha says.
In the study, the researchers reviewed over 200 field studies worldwide that examined the impact of biochar application in agriculture and the release of gases such as nitrous oxide, methane, and carbon dioxide. All three are heat-trapping gases that majorly contribute to Earth’s warming atmosphere.
Findings showed the amount of biochar in the soil mattered in whether it decreased or had no change in gas emissions. Generally, using biochar in the field reduced the amount of nitrous oxide in the air by 18 percent and methane by 3 percent. On the other hand, biochar did little by itself to change carbon dioxide emissions. Mixing biochar with commercial nitrogen fertilizer or other organic materials like manure or compost did help with reducing carbon.
Source: https://studyfinds.org/biochar-farming-climate-change/?nab=0