jeopardize the efforts to mitigate the climate change (Agus 2011, 2013). However,
biochar is a lifesaver of soil.
11.6.2 Biochar Roles in Greenhouse Gas Emission
Mitigation
Biochar application plays a role in GHG mitigation, especially for CH 4 and N 2 O
emissions (Barthod et al. 2016). Woolf et al. (2010) have estimated the net annual
emissions of CO 2 , N 2 O, and CH 4 which can be reduced by 12% of equivalent CO 2 –
C emissions through biochar application without reducing soil productivity and
conservation (Woolf et al. 2010). The effectiveness of biochar in reducing carbon
emissions varies depending on the type of biochar, soil type, and C content
(Zimmerman et al. 2011; Kuzyakov et al. 2009).
Coconut shell biochar is able to decrease CO 2 emissions on maize cultivation in
peatland, while rice husk biochar effectively reduces N 2 O emissions (Maftuah et al.
2016). In other reports, it is in line with the results obtained that biochar reduces N 2 O
emissions in red soil of Australia (Agegnehu et al. 2015), and also reduces N 2 O
(52–84%) and NO (47–67%) emissions (Naisse et al. 2015). Some biochar
researches on GHG emissions are summarized in Table 11.8. The trend describes
that biochar application increases CH 4 emissions and decreases N 2 O and CO 2
emissions without heavy biochar dosage (Wang et al. 2012; Zhang Bian et al.
2012; Maftuah et al. 2016). In peatland, coconut shell biochar and rice husk biochar
application are very effective to reduce N 2 O and CO 2 emissions (Maftuah et al.
2016) (Table 11.8).
The effectiveness of biochar in reducing GHG emissions depends on the type of
biochar and soil conditions (Hairani 2016). Biochar is effective in suppressing N 2 O
emissions, but its effectiveness is also determined by land conditions, so that the
incubation conditions in the laboratory may differ from the condition in the field
(Fidel et al. 2019). Biochar decreases CH 4 production when the acetate concentration is less than 0.2 mM in paddy fields; and at acetate concentrations of 2–6 mM,
there is an increase in methanogenic activity (Xiao et al. 2019).
The combination of biochar and other amendments influences GHG emission
mitigation. Rice husk biochar combined with multiorganic compost is able to reduce
CH 4 emissions from rice cultivation in acid sulfate soil by 38.8% (Annisa 2016).
According to Yu et al. (2012), the effect of biochar on CH 4 emissions is related to
soil moisture caused by the addition of biochar. Apart from affecting land humidity,
methane production and consumption are also affected by soil microbial activity.
GHG emissions are strongly affected by redox potential which is most typical in
peatland, indicating groundwater level (GWL) and peatland surface moisture will be
the most important parameter. Unfortunately, as redox potential information is very
limited, it is recommended that GWL, soil moisture, and redox potential must be
measured when GHG emissions are measured. When the biochar application effect
354
E. Maftuah et al.
biochar is a lifesaver of soil.
11.6.2 Biochar Roles in Greenhouse Gas Emission
Mitigation
Biochar application plays a role in GHG mitigation, especially for CH 4 and N 2 O
emissions (Barthod et al. 2016). Woolf et al. (2010) have estimated the net annual
emissions of CO 2 , N 2 O, and CH 4 which can be reduced by 12% of equivalent CO 2 –
C emissions through biochar application without reducing soil productivity and
conservation (Woolf et al. 2010). The effectiveness of biochar in reducing carbon
emissions varies depending on the type of biochar, soil type, and C content
(Zimmerman et al. 2011; Kuzyakov et al. 2009).
Coconut shell biochar is able to decrease CO 2 emissions on maize cultivation in
peatland, while rice husk biochar effectively reduces N 2 O emissions (Maftuah et al.
2016). In other reports, it is in line with the results obtained that biochar reduces N 2 O
emissions in red soil of Australia (Agegnehu et al. 2015), and also reduces N 2 O
(52–84%) and NO (47–67%) emissions (Naisse et al. 2015). Some biochar
researches on GHG emissions are summarized in Table 11.8. The trend describes
that biochar application increases CH 4 emissions and decreases N 2 O and CO 2
emissions without heavy biochar dosage (Wang et al. 2012; Zhang Bian et al.
2012; Maftuah et al. 2016). In peatland, coconut shell biochar and rice husk biochar
application are very effective to reduce N 2 O and CO 2 emissions (Maftuah et al.
2016) (Table 11.8).
The effectiveness of biochar in reducing GHG emissions depends on the type of
biochar and soil conditions (Hairani 2016). Biochar is effective in suppressing N 2 O
emissions, but its effectiveness is also determined by land conditions, so that the
incubation conditions in the laboratory may differ from the condition in the field
(Fidel et al. 2019). Biochar decreases CH 4 production when the acetate concentration is less than 0.2 mM in paddy fields; and at acetate concentrations of 2–6 mM,
there is an increase in methanogenic activity (Xiao et al. 2019).
The combination of biochar and other amendments influences GHG emission
mitigation. Rice husk biochar combined with multiorganic compost is able to reduce
CH 4 emissions from rice cultivation in acid sulfate soil by 38.8% (Annisa 2016).
According to Yu et al. (2012), the effect of biochar on CH 4 emissions is related to
soil moisture caused by the addition of biochar. Apart from affecting land humidity,
methane production and consumption are also affected by soil microbial activity.
GHG emissions are strongly affected by redox potential which is most typical in
peatland, indicating groundwater level (GWL) and peatland surface moisture will be
the most important parameter. Unfortunately, as redox potential information is very
limited, it is recommended that GWL, soil moisture, and redox potential must be
measured when GHG emissions are measured. When the biochar application effect
354
E. Maftuah et al.