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Biochar Input to Saline-Alkali Farmland Can Improve Soil Health and Crop Yield: A Meta-Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Liqiang Zhang

    (College of Plant Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Baoyin Bate

    (College of Plant Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Jinhu Cui

    (College of Plant Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China)

  • Yudi Feng

    (College of Plant Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China)

  • Jianning Yu

    (College of Plant Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China)

  • Zhengguo Cui

    (Soybean Research Institute, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130033, China)

  • Hongyu Wang

    (College of Plant Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China)

  • Qiuzhu Li

    (College of Plant Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China)

Abstract

Soil salinization in farmland is a critical factor limiting global soil health, food security, and ecosystem productivity. Biochar has recently shown great application potential in agricultural fields in many domains, such as soil structure improvement, carbon sequestration, and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Here, a meta-analysis of 113 published papers was carried out to quantify the effects of biochar on the remediation of saline-alkali soil and crop yield in terms of climatic conditions and agricultural management, with the aim of determining the optimal agricultural management strategy for biochar application to saline-alkali soils. The results show that adding biochar to saline-alkali farmland increases the TOC in soil (44.0%) and water utilization efficiency (8.7%), and decreases soil salinity (−9.6%), certain salt ion contents in particular (Na + , 12.5%; Cl − , 23.4%; HCO 3 − , −17.7%), along with soil pH (−2.2%), resulting in a 20.8% higher crop yield. Applying shell biochar at a rate of 10–20 t·ha −1 for monoculture is the most promising way to bolster the yield in severely saline-alkali irrigated farmland. However, adding biochar raises CO 2 and CH 4 emissions by 9.8% and 31.6%, respectively, but lowers the emission of N 2 O by 29.4%. These findings provide scientific recommendations for the sustainable application of biochar in saline-alkali farmland areas worldwide.

Suggested Citation

  • Liqiang Zhang & Baoyin Bate & Jinhu Cui & Yudi Feng & Jianning Yu & Zhengguo Cui & Hongyu Wang & Qiuzhu Li, 2025. "Biochar Input to Saline-Alkali Farmland Can Improve Soil Health and Crop Yield: A Meta-Analysis," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-22, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:15:y:2025:i:5:p:561-:d:1606813
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Adu, Michael O. & Yawson, David O. & Armah, Frederick A. & Asare, Paul A. & Frimpong, Kwame A., 2018. "Meta-analysis of crop yields of full, deficit, and partial root-zone drying irrigation," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 197(C), pages 79-90.
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