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Quantifying the Effects of Biochar Application on Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Agricultural Soils: A Global Meta-Analysis

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  • Qi Zhang

    (Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
    College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
    Shanghai Academy of Landscape Architecture Science and Planning, Shanghai 200232, China
    Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Landscaping on Challenging Urban Sites, Shanghai 200232, China)

  • Jing Xiao

    (National Engineering Laboratory for Improving Quality of Arable Land, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China)

  • Jianhui Xue

    (Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
    College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China)

  • Lang Zhang

    (Shanghai Academy of Landscape Architecture Science and Planning, Shanghai 200232, China
    Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Landscaping on Challenging Urban Sites, Shanghai 200232, China)

Abstract

Agricultural disturbance has significantly boosted soil greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions such as methane (CH 4 ), carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), and nitrous oxide (N 2 O). Biochar application is a potential option for regulating soil GHG emissions. However, the effects of biochar application on soil GHG emissions are variable among different environmental conditions. In this study, a dataset based on 129 published papers was used to quantify the effect sizes of biochar application on soil GHG emissions. Overall, biochar application significantly increased soil CH 4 and CO 2 emissions by an average of 15% and 16% but decreased soil N 2 O emissions by an average of 38%. The response ratio of biochar applications on soil GHG emissions was significantly different under various management strategies, biochar characteristics, and soil properties. The relative influence of biochar characteristics differed among soil GHG emissions, with the overall contribution of biochar characteristics to soil GHG emissions ranging from 29% (N 2 O) to 71% (CO 2 ). Soil pH, the biochar C:N ratio, and the biochar application rate were the most influential variables on soil CH 4 , CO 2 , and N 2 O emissions, respectively. With biochar application, global warming potential (impact of the emission of different greenhouse gases on their radiative forcing by agricultural practices) and the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions (emission rate of a given pollutant relative to the intensity of a specific activity) significantly decreased, and crop yield greatly increased, with an average response ratio of 23%, 41%, and 21%, respectively. Our findings provide a scientific basis for reducing soil GHG emissions and increasing crop yield through biochar application.

Suggested Citation

  • Qi Zhang & Jing Xiao & Jianhui Xue & Lang Zhang, 2020. "Quantifying the Effects of Biochar Application on Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Agricultural Soils: A Global Meta-Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-14, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:8:p:3436-:d:349313
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hanqin Tian & Chaoqun Lu & Philippe Ciais & Anna M. Michalak & Josep G. Canadell & Eri Saikawa & Deborah N. Huntzinger & Kevin R. Gurney & Stephen Sitch & Bowen Zhang & Jia Yang & Philippe Bousquet & , 2016. "The terrestrial biosphere as a net source of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere," Nature, Nature, vol. 531(7593), pages 225-228, March.
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    2. Ahmed Mosa & Mostafa M. Mansour & Enas Soliman & Ayman El-Ghamry & Mohamed El Alfy & Ahmed M. El Kenawy, 2023. "Biochar as a Soil Amendment for Restraining Greenhouse Gases Emission and Improving Soil Carbon Sink: Current Situation and Ways Forward," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-26, January.
    3. Marina M. Atilano-Camino & Ana P. Canizales Laborin & Angelita M. Ortega Juarez & Ana K. Valenzuela Cantú & Aurora M. Pat-Espadas, 2022. "Impact of Soil Amendment with Biochar on Greenhouse Gases Emissions, Metals Availability and Microbial Activity: A Meta-Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-21, November.
    4. Jong-Mun Lee & Hyun-Cheol Jeong & Hyo-Suk Gwon & Hyoung-Seok Lee & Hye-Ran Park & Guen-Sik Kim & Do-Gyun Park & Sun-Il Lee, 2023. "Effects of Biochar on Methane Emissions and Crop Yields in East Asian Paddy Fields: A Regional Scale Meta-Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-15, June.
    5. Lening Hu & Shuangli Li & Ke Li & Haiyan Huang & Wenxin Wan & Qiuhua Huang & Qiuyan Li & Yafen Li & Hua Deng & Tieguang He, 2020. "Effects of Two Types of Straw Biochar on the Mineralization of Soil Organic Carbon in Farmland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-18, December.
    6. Hongpeng Guo & Boqun Fan & Chulin Pan, 2021. "Study on Mechanisms Underlying Changes in Agricultural Carbon Emissions: A Case in Jilin Province, China, 1998–2018," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-17, January.
    7. Carla Scotti & Chiara Bertora & Massimo Valagussa & Lamberto Borrelli & Giovanni Cabassi & Alberto Tosca, 2022. "Agroenvironmental Performances of Biochar Application in the Mineral and Organic Fertilization Strategies of a Maize–Ryegrass Forage System," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-20, June.

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