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efficient properties. Biochar feedstock is mostly obtained from farm wastes, and its
nature, type, and origin determine the quality and composition characters of biochar. Besides, adding biochar to soil improves the soil retention, increases its nutrition concentration, has potential to improve the poor soil quality, and improves the
growth rate and yield of plants. In this short review, we reviewed the effects of
biochar on nutrition value of medicinal plants and crops. However, the composition
of biochar and its nutrient availability are studied. Moreover, the environmental
solutions of using biochar and the benefits biochar provides such as higher crop
yields, increased fertilization efficiency, and more plant growth besides preventing
nutrition discharge into the groundwater were reviewed. In addition, the production
of a secure habitat for favorable microbial activity, which causes a boost in soil
nutrients, besides other biochar properties, characters, and impacts on soil, plant
growth, and environment is discussed.
Keywords Biochar · Feedstock · Medicinal plant · Nutritional value · Crop yield
9.1 Introduction
Biochar is produced by the thermal decay of organic compositions under a nonoxygen condition and at a comparatively low temperature. In addition, pyrolysis
uses biomass baking in the absence of air to take off the volatile gasses and keep the
carbon behind. Hence, besides biochar, the bio-energy produces in the form of gas
and oil. This energy considers as a form of new and renewable fuel. Keeping the
environmental solution aside, biochar is a source of benefits for farmers, such as
production of higher crop yield, elevation in fertility, enhancement in soil quality,
reduction of the groundwater contamination by pollutants, and heat production,
besides selling the carbon credits in the carbon markets (Milne et al. 2007;
McHenry 2009).
The term ‘biochar’ first appeared in the modern scientific literature in a paper
presented by Harshavardhan Bapat and Stanley E. Manahan at the 215th National
Meeting of the American Chemical Society in 1998. They won first prize for that
paper from the ACS division of Environmental Chemistry in the category of
poster presentations: Gasification of Hazardous Waste and Mixed Wastes on a
Biochar Matrix. Commonly, the biochar particles settled with low density and
high porosity that makes it to keep more water and air; hence the soil bulk density reduces (Downie et al. 2009). Applying biochar causes an increase in water
holding capacity of soil, soil pH, porosity, and stabilization of soil organic carbon by elevating its aggregation and decreasing its tensile strength and bulk density (Cao et al. 2009; Spokas et al. 2009; Zheng et al. 2010; Abel et al. 2013; Liu
et al. 2016).
A. B. A. Ahmed et al.
efficient properties. Biochar feedstock is mostly obtained from farm wastes, and its
nature, type, and origin determine the quality and composition characters of biochar. Besides, adding biochar to soil improves the soil retention, increases its nutrition concentration, has potential to improve the poor soil quality, and improves the
growth rate and yield of plants. In this short review, we reviewed the effects of
biochar on nutrition value of medicinal plants and crops. However, the composition
of biochar and its nutrient availability are studied. Moreover, the environmental
solutions of using biochar and the benefits biochar provides such as higher crop
yields, increased fertilization efficiency, and more plant growth besides preventing
nutrition discharge into the groundwater were reviewed. In addition, the production
of a secure habitat for favorable microbial activity, which causes a boost in soil
nutrients, besides other biochar properties, characters, and impacts on soil, plant
growth, and environment is discussed.
Keywords Biochar · Feedstock · Medicinal plant · Nutritional value · Crop yield
9.1 Introduction
Biochar is produced by the thermal decay of organic compositions under a nonoxygen condition and at a comparatively low temperature. In addition, pyrolysis
uses biomass baking in the absence of air to take off the volatile gasses and keep the
carbon behind. Hence, besides biochar, the bio-energy produces in the form of gas
and oil. This energy considers as a form of new and renewable fuel. Keeping the
environmental solution aside, biochar is a source of benefits for farmers, such as
production of higher crop yield, elevation in fertility, enhancement in soil quality,
reduction of the groundwater contamination by pollutants, and heat production,
besides selling the carbon credits in the carbon markets (Milne et al. 2007;
McHenry 2009).
The term ‘biochar’ first appeared in the modern scientific literature in a paper
presented by Harshavardhan Bapat and Stanley E. Manahan at the 215th National
Meeting of the American Chemical Society in 1998. They won first prize for that
paper from the ACS division of Environmental Chemistry in the category of
poster presentations: Gasification of Hazardous Waste and Mixed Wastes on a
Biochar Matrix. Commonly, the biochar particles settled with low density and
high porosity that makes it to keep more water and air; hence the soil bulk density reduces (Downie et al. 2009). Applying biochar causes an increase in water
holding capacity of soil, soil pH, porosity, and stabilization of soil organic carbon by elevating its aggregation and decreasing its tensile strength and bulk density (Cao et al. 2009; Spokas et al. 2009; Zheng et al. 2010; Abel et al. 2013; Liu
et al. 2016).
A. B. A. Ahmed et al.