Grazing, soil, and biochar: U.S.-China scientists uncover a carbon-boosting superpower in karst lands
Groundbreaking research by Dr. Daniel F. Petticord (Cornell University) and Dr. Xuxin Song (Guilin University of Technology) reveals how biochar supercharges soil health in fragile ecosystems
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Biochar efficacy in enhancing soil carbon fractions is mediated by parent soil type in grazing karst grassland
view moreCredit: Shiwen Zhu, Yili Guo, Hanhan Zhou, Wenjia Luo, Xun Yi, Yangming Zhou, Yuanlong Wu, Daniel F. Petticord & Xuxin Song
The Grazing Challenge
Pastures feed the world. But grazing animals? They can disturb the soil, speed up carbon loss, and weaken long-term fertility—especially in vulnerable karst soils. With climate change intensifying, scientists are racing to find ways to keep carbon in the ground, not in the air.
Enter: biochar. Think of it as “soil probiotics”—a charcoal-like substance made from organic waste that supercharges soil life and locks away carbon for decades, even centuries.
The Biochar Breakthrough
In a series of clever lab experiments using tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) and simulated grazing, the team tested how biochar affects soil organic carbon (SOC) in two very different soils: iron-rich red soils and calcium-packed calcareous soils—both common in karst regions. And the results? Absolutely off the charts:
- Biochar boosted total soil organic carbon by a jaw-dropping 595%
- It increased mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC)—the most stable form of soil carbon—by 39%
- And it did so across both soil types!
How? By waking up the soil’s microbial workforce. Biochar doesn’t just sit there—it feeds beneficial microbes, which in turn break down organic matter and form ultra-stable carbon complexes with metals like iron, aluminum, and calcium. It’s nature’s own carbon-capture technology, turbocharged.
Why Soil Type Matters
Here’s the kicker: biochar works even better in red soils, where its alkaline nature helps fight acidification and teams up with iron to lock in carbon. But in calcareous soils, while still effective, the benefits unfold more slowly—proving that one size doesn’t fit all. And when it comes to grazing? It reduced SOC in calcareous soils—but biochar helped buffer the damage. This means farmers and land managers can use biochar as a shield, protecting soil health while keeping pastures productive.
A Blueprint for the Future
This isn’t just lab magic—it’s a real-world roadmap for precision land management in karst regions, where thin soils and high erosion risk make sustainability a challenge. The study calls for:
- Tailored biochar strategies based on soil chemistry
- Long-term protection against acidification in sensitive karst ecosystems
- Smarter pasture management that balances grazing with carbon storage
“Biochar isn’t a silver bullet,” says Dr. Petticord, “but it’s a powerful tool—especially when we match it to the right soil.” Adds Dr. Song, “In China’s karst landscapes, where millions depend on fragile ecosystems, this could be a game-changer for food security and climate resilience.”
Join the Soil Revolution
So next time you walk through a grassy field, remember: beneath your feet is a hidden world of microbes, minerals, and carbon—waiting to be nurtured. Thanks to visionary science from Cornell University and Guilin University of Technology, we’re learning how to heal the earth, one handful of soil at a time.
Stay tuned for more from this dynamic U.S.-China research team. Together, we can grow a greener, more resilient planet—one biochar-boosted field at a time.
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- Title: Biochar efficacy in enhancing soil carbon fractions is mediated by parent soil type in grazing karst grassland
- Keywords: Biochar; Calcareous soil; Mineral–associated organic carbon; Red soil; Simulated grazing
- Citation: Zhu, S., Guo, Y., Zhou, H. et al. Biochar efficacy in enhancing soil carbon fractions is mediated by parent soil type in grazing karst grassland. Carbon Res. 4, 52 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44246-025-00222-8
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About Carbon Research
The journal Carbon Research is an international multidisciplinary platform for communicating advances in fundamental and applied research on natural and engineered carbonaceous materials that are associated with ecological and environmental functions, energy generation, and global change. It is a fully Open Access (OA) journal and the Article Publishing Charges (APC) are waived until Dec 31, 2025. It is dedicated to serving as an innovative, efficient and professional platform for researchers in the field of carbon functions around the world to deliver findings from this rapidly expanding field of science. The journal is currently indexed by Scopus and Ei Compendex, and as of June 2025, the dynamic CiteScore value is 15.4.
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Journal
Carbon Research
Method of Research
Experimental study
Subject of Research
Not applicable
Article Title
Biochar efficacy in enhancing soil carbon fractions is mediated by parent soil type in grazing karst grassland
Biochar boost: Smart monitoring shows sustainable growth for basil
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Optimizing sustainable basil cultivation with smart-monitoring: a comparative study of biochar and soilless growth media
Credit: Sirjana Adhikari, Michael Vernon, Scott Adams, Lawerence Webb & Wendy Timms
Geelong, Australia — A team of researchers has discovered that adding biochar to potting mix can significantly improve basil growth while also advancing sustainable farming practices. Using Internet of Things (IoT) technology to track plant health in real time, the study highlights how small changes in growth media can benefit both agriculture and the environment.
The research, published in Biochar, tested six different growth media for basil cultivation over 30 days in “smart growth cabinets.” These controlled chambers allowed continuous monitoring of factors like light, humidity, and plant leaf area using sensors and high-resolution cameras.
The study compared traditional potting mix with soilless blends made from sand, coconut coir, perlite, and biochar — a porous carbon material produced from heating plant waste. Biochar has gained attention for its ability to retain water and nutrients, improve soil health, and lock away carbon for decades.
The results were striking: incorporating 10–20% biochar into potting mix enhanced basil root growth and leaf development without harming overall plant performance. In particular, nutrient-enriched biochar produced three times more plant weight compared to untreated biochar, showing its potential as a slow-release fertilizer.
“Our findings show that moderate levels of biochar can replace part of conventional potting mix, offering a more sustainable and climate-friendly alternative,” said lead author Sirjana Adhikari from Deakin University’s Centre for Sustainable Bioproducts. “Biochar not only improves plant growth but also contributes to carbon sequestration, making it a win-win for farmers and the environment.”
The team also observed that potting mix combined with biochar supported higher levels of key nutrients like potassium, essential for leaf growth in basil. However, too much biochar or untreated mixes with sand and coir reduced growth, underscoring the importance of optimizing biochar type and application rates for different crops.
Beyond basil, the approach has wider implications. Smart monitoring using IoT provides researchers and growers with valuable insights into how different growth media affect plant health over time. This data-driven method could accelerate the adoption of sustainable horticultural practices worldwide.
“With global agriculture under pressure from soil degradation and climate change, soilless growth systems enriched with biochar offer a practical pathway toward resilient food production,” Adhikari said.
The research also points to biochar’s role in supporting the circular economy. By converting organic waste into a long-lasting carbon-rich material, biochar not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also creates new value for agricultural byproducts.
The authors recommend further research into biochar’s long-term nutrient dynamics and its potential to substitute other common growth media, such as perlite, in commercial horticulture.
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Reference:
Adhikari, S., Vernon, M., Adams, S., Webb, L., & Timms, W. (2025). Optimizing sustainable basil cultivation with smart-monitoring: a comparative study of biochar and soilless growth media. Biochar, 7:89. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-025-00480-0
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About Biochar
Biochar is the first journal dedicated exclusively to biochar research, spanning agronomy, environmental science, and materials science. It publishes original studies on biochar production, processing, and applications—such as bioenergy, environmental remediation, soil enhancement, climate mitigation, water treatment, and sustainability analysis. The journal serves as an innovative and professional platform for global researchers to share advances in this rapidly expanding field.
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Journal
Biochar
Method of Research
Experimental study
Subject of Research
Not applicable
Article Title
Optimizing sustainable basil cultivation with smart-monitoring: a comparative study of biochar and soilless growth media
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