A review on biochar application in arable soils

Sequestration carbon in soils with CO2 mitigation and enhancing global food security has been a significant research hot topic under circumstance of global warming and food demand pressure. Biochar application in arable soils becomes a vigor method for increasing C pool and improving soil productivity, which arouse interests for scientists all over the world recently. The contents of black carbon in soils and the effects of biochar application on crop productivity and soil fertility as well as greenhouse gas emission in arable soils are reviewed. The possible mechanism of biochar application on crop yield productivity and soilenvrionment aspects is discussed, and the discussion is focused on practical performance of biochar application in different regions, crop varieties, fertilization amounts and biochar types. Several key research points in agriculture and perspectives in future are proposed.