Selection and use of designer biochars to improve characteristics of southeastern USA coastal plain degraded soils

Abstract

The US Southeastern Coastal Plains have a long history of agricultural production. However, poor quality sandy soils hamper productivity. Soils have depleted organic carbon contents that lead to poor nutrient retention, reduced aggregation, and low plant-available soil water retention. Past soil management used reduced tillage to increase organic carbon but it deteriorated quickly in the hot, humid environment. Biochars can provide an alternative recalcitrant carbon source. Since biochar varies widely in characteristics, it must be designed to fit the needs of the soil increased carbon, aggregation, nutrient retention, and plant-available water retention. Biochar design characteristics depend mainly on feedstock characteristics and method of pyrolysis. This review offers guidelines for designer biochar manufacture through feedstock selection and pyrolysis technique; it outlines potential usage to improve specific soil quality problems.