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Biochar Modulates the Dynamics of Legacy Nutrients in Enhancing Soil Health and Crop Productivity

Author

Listed:
  • Manish Kumar

    (Amity Institute of Environmental Sciences (AIES), Amity University Uttar Pradesh (AUUP), Noida 201313, India)

  • Shiv Bolan

    (UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
    The UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
    Healthy Environments and Lives (HEAL) National Research Network, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia)

  • Rakesh Kumar

    (Department of Biosystems Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA)

  • Juhi Gupta

    (Amity Institute of Environmental Sciences (AIES), Amity University Uttar Pradesh (AUUP), Noida 201313, India)

  • Dingjiang Chen

    (College of Environmental & Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
    State Key Laboratory of Soil Pollution Control and Safety, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China)

  • Hao Wu

    (College of Environmental & Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
    State Key Laboratory of Soil Pollution Control and Safety, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China)

  • Sarah Stackpoole

    (U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Mission Area, Denver, CO 80225, USA)

  • Nitika Chandel

    (School of Agriculture, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Solan 173229, India)

  • Santanu Mukherjee

    (School of Agriculture, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Solan 173229, India
    Department of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Toyama Prefectural University, 5180 Kurokawa, Imizu 939-0398, Toyama, Japan)

  • Manoj Chandra Garg

    (Amity Institute of Environmental Sciences (AIES), Amity University Uttar Pradesh (AUUP), Noida 201313, India)

  • Srinithi Mayilswami

    (Practical Environmental Technologies Pvt Ltd., Site No. 40/41, Super Garden Extension, Vadavalli, Coimbatore 641041, India)

  • Kadambot H. M. Siddique

    (The UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia)

  • Nanthi Bolan

    (UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
    The UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia)

Abstract

Most major crops in agricultural soils exhibit relatively low nutrient use efficiency for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), often necessitating supplemental nutrient inputs to achieve sustainable yields. Furthermore, the increasing use of biowastes such as compost, manure, and biosolids, which frequently have nutrient ratios that do not match crop requirements, has contributed to excessive nutrient inputs and subsequent accumulation in soils. This situation has been further exacerbated by intensive farming practices involving multiple cropping cycles per season. Overuse of nutrients causes them to accumulate in the soil, creating a legacy nutrient pool. The application of biochar as soil amendment is considered a potential strategy to control legacy nutrients dynamics. The current review inspects the possible value of biochar in modulating legacy nutrient reserves in the soil, thereby increasing the bioavailability of nutrients and improving crop yield. This review discusses the search scope and synthesis approaches for the bibliometric methodological component through rigorous screening process (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA)), focusing on journal articles published in last 20 years that specifically address legacy nutrient management. The significance of the economic and environmental effects of legacy nutrients and the insufficient knowledge of how biochar application influences nutrient dynamics in soil highlight the necessity for additional research to address current gaps.

Suggested Citation

  • Manish Kumar & Shiv Bolan & Rakesh Kumar & Juhi Gupta & Dingjiang Chen & Hao Wu & Sarah Stackpoole & Nitika Chandel & Santanu Mukherjee & Manoj Chandra Garg & Srinithi Mayilswami & Kadambot H. M. Sidd, 2026. "Biochar Modulates the Dynamics of Legacy Nutrients in Enhancing Soil Health and Crop Productivity," Land, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-38, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:15:y:2026:i:6:p:896-:d:1949776
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