Increasing soil carbon stocks and reducing nitrogen leaching with biochar

Biochar (BC) addition to soil is currently the most efficient tool for long-term C sequestration mankind knows. It could potentially be used to increase carbon (C) storage, and reduce nitrogen (N) leaching and greenhouse gas (GHG) -emissions (CO2, N2O, CH4) from agricultural soils, while increasing crop yield. Biochar can be produced from agricultural and forest industry waste. Due to its physicochemical properties it can be used to retain N from added fertilizers or from co-composted N-rich organic waste, and slowly release it for plant growth. Thus, it could play a central role in nutrient cycling in the circular economy. However, a more detailed mechanistic understanding of biochar soil effects is needed before biochar application can become a routine agronomic practice. This project explores the applicability of this promising technology in Finnish conditions.