Organic coating on biochar explains its nutrient retention and stimulation of soil fertility

Abstract Amending soil with biochar (pyrolized biomass) is suggested as a globally applicable approach to address climate change and soil degradation by carbon sequestration, reducing soil-borne greenhouse-gas emissions and increasing soil nutrient retention. Biochar was shown to promote plant growth, especially when combined with nutrient-rich organic matter, e.g., co-composted biochar. Plant growth promotion was explained by slow release of nutrients, although a mechanistic understanding of nutrient storage in biochar is missing. Here we identify a complex, nutrient-rich organic coating on co-composted biochar that covers the outer and inner (pore) surfaces of biochar particles using high-resolution…

• NS
  National Science Foundation

  Award: DMR 11-54790
• UD
  U.S. Department of Agriculture

  Award: 67019
• FS
  Florida State University
• TG
  TU Graz, Internationale Beziehungen und Mobilitätsprogramme
• CL
  Canadian Light Source
• UO
  University of Saskatchewan
• NH
  National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
• EC
  European Commission

  Award: ESTEEM2
• BF
  Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung
• RL
  Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung
• NI
  National Institute of Food and Agriculture

  Award: 2013-67019-21359
• CI
  Canadian Institutes of Health Research
• NS
  Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
• WE
  Western Economic Diversification Canada
• NR
  National Research Council Canada
• DO
  Division of Materials Research

  Award: 11-54790
• HM
  High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences