Turning crops into carbon sinks: Biochar offers a low-cost path to carbon removal in China
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Carbon dioxide removal potential of biochar with biomass supply from bioenergy crops in China
view moreCredit: Mengjie Han, Chenyi Yuan, Philippe Ciais, Daniel S. Goll, Yi Leng, Minxuan Sun, Nan Meng, Jiaxin Zhou, Xiaomeng Du, Dabo Guan, Wenjia Cai, Rui Wang, Jianxiang Shen, Liang Jing, Qing Zhao & Wei Li
A new study reveals that transforming biomass from dedicated energy crops into biochar could provide a cost-effective and scalable solution for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping China move closer to its carbon neutrality goals.
Researchers developed a novel approach that combines biochar production with biomass supply from bioenergy crops, addressing long-standing limitations in carbon dioxide removal technologies. Biochar, a stable carbon-rich material produced by heating biomass under low-oxygen conditions, can lock carbon in soils for decades or even centuries while improving soil health.
“Biochar has long been recognized as a promising carbon removal strategy, but its deployment has been constrained by limited biomass supply,” said the study’s corresponding author. “Our work shows that integrating bioenergy crops into the system can significantly expand its potential while keeping costs low.”
The team evaluated this integrated system across China by analyzing existing biomass power plants, transportation networks, and realistic biomass supply chains. They found that using bioenergy crops grown on abandoned cropland could deliver a carbon removal potential of about 25.8 million tons of CO2 per year. This level is comparable to biochar produced from agricultural and forestry residues, which has traditionally been the main feedstock.
Importantly, the study highlights a major economic advantage. Producing biochar using this combined approach costs roughly $9.6 per ton of CO2 removed, making it far cheaper than bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, or BECCS, which costs about $90.9 per ton. While BECCS can remove slightly more carbon, its high infrastructure and storage costs limit its practicality.
“Cost is a critical factor for large-scale deployment,” the authors noted. “Biochar stands out because it delivers meaningful carbon removal at a fraction of the cost of alternative technologies.”
Beyond cost, the research also demonstrates the scalability of the approach. By expanding biomass supply through energy crops and building additional pyrolysis facilities, the total carbon removal potential of biochar in China could reach up to 1.88 billion tons of CO2 per year under optimized conditions.
The study also identifies where this strategy could be most effective. Regions with abundant biomass resources and existing infrastructure, such as eastern and northeastern China, show the highest potential. Meanwhile, underutilized land in other regions offers opportunities for cultivating bioenergy crops without competing with food production.
In addition to removing carbon, biochar provides co-benefits for agriculture. When applied to soil, it can enhance soil organic carbon, improve nutrient retention, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions such as nitrous oxide. These benefits make biochar a multifunctional solution that supports both climate mitigation and sustainable agriculture.
However, the authors caution that challenges remain. Scaling up biochar production will require investment in infrastructure, improved integration with existing energy systems, and reliable biomass supply chains. Policy support and carbon market incentives will also play a key role in making large-scale deployment viable.
“Our findings suggest that biochar, especially when paired with bioenergy crops, could become a cornerstone of climate mitigation strategies,” the researchers said. “With the right policies and investments, it has the potential to deliver both environmental and economic benefits.”
As countries worldwide seek practical ways to achieve net-zero emissions, this study positions biochar as a promising, affordable, and scalable tool in the global fight against climate change.
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Journal Reference: Han, M., Yuan, C., Ciais, P. et al. Carbon dioxide removal potential of biochar with biomass supply from bioenergy crops in China. Biochar 8, 43 (2026).
https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-025-00564-x
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About Biochar
Biochar (e-ISSN: 2524-7867) 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
Article Title
Carbon dioxide removal potential of biochar with biomass supply from bioenergy crops in China
Engineered biochar and beneficial bacteria team up to boost crop growth
Biochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University
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Bacillus-functionalized sewage sludge biochar boosts cabbage growth through improved nitrogen assimilation
view moreCredit: Zhongwang Liu, Bing Yu, Yupei Xu, Shuangyu Yang, Jue Cang, Yutao Peng, Jinfang Tan, Lan Liu, Wenjun Li, Xingzhong Liu & Mi Wei
A new study has unveiled an innovative way to turn waste into a powerful tool for sustainable agriculture. Researchers have developed a specially engineered biochar made from sewage sludge that, when combined with beneficial bacteria, significantly enhances plant growth by improving how crops absorb nitrogen.
Biochar, a carbon-rich material produced by heating organic waste in low oxygen conditions, has long been recognized for its ability to improve soil health. However, its potential as a carrier for beneficial microbes has been limited by challenges in maintaining microbial survival and effectiveness in real-world soils. The new study addresses this issue by redesigning sewage sludge biochar into a more microbe-friendly material.
“Our goal was to create a biochar that not only supports beneficial microbes but actively enhances their function in the soil,” said the study’s corresponding author. “By combining engineered biochar with a plant growth-promoting bacterium, we achieved a synergistic effect that significantly boosts crop performance.”
The team developed a novel material called SSBC37 using a stepwise process. First, they extracted nutrient-rich dissolved compounds from low-temperature biochar. Then, they reprocessed the remaining material at a higher temperature to improve its structure. Finally, they reintroduced the extracted nutrients to create a balanced material that supports microbial growth while maintaining strong physical properties.
This engineered biochar was then loaded with Bacillus velezensis, a beneficial bacterium known for promoting plant growth. When applied to cabbage plants, the combined system increased aboveground dry biomass by up to nearly 40 percent compared to untreated plants. It also outperformed treatments using either the biochar or the bacteria alone.
The researchers found that the biochar provided both a habitat and a nutrient source for the bacteria. Specific compounds in the biochar stimulated bacterial metabolism, enabling the microbes to grow more efficiently and colonize plant roots. In turn, the bacteria altered the soil microbial community in ways that favored plant nutrition.
One key mechanism involved improved nitrogen cycling. The biochar-bacteria combination increased the abundance of beneficial soil microbes associated with nitrogen transformation. It also enhanced soil enzyme activity and led to higher levels of ammonium nitrogen, a form readily absorbed by plants. As a result, the cabbage plants showed greater nitrogen uptake and improved growth.
Importantly, the study also revealed how the introduced bacteria interact with native soil microbes. The beneficial bacteria suppressed certain fungal groups while promoting helpful bacterial populations, creating a more favorable rhizosphere environment for plant development.
“This work highlights the importance of designing biochar materials that work in harmony with soil microbiomes,” the authors noted. “By understanding these interactions, we can develop more effective biofertilizers that reduce reliance on chemical inputs.”
The findings offer a promising pathway for recycling sewage sludge, a growing global waste challenge, into high-value agricultural products. By transforming waste into a functional biochar that enhances microbial performance, the approach supports both environmental sustainability and food production.
As agriculture faces increasing pressure to reduce environmental impacts while maintaining productivity, innovations like this could play a key role. The study demonstrates that carefully engineered biochar, combined with beneficial microbes, can unlock new possibilities for sustainable crop management and soil health improvement.
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Journal Reference: Liu, Z., Yu, B., Xu, Y. et al. Bacillus-functionalized sewage sludge biochar boosts cabbage growth through improved nitrogen assimilation. Biochar 8, 42 (2026).
https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-025-00561-0
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About Biochar
Biochar (e-ISSN: 2524-7867) 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.
Follow us on Facebook, X, and Bluesky.
Journal
Biochar
Method of Research
Experimental study
Article Title
Bacillus-functionalized sewage sludge biochar boosts cabbage growth through improved nitrogen assimilation
Biochar particle size found to shape disease control in crops
Biochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University
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Particle size influences biochar-mediated control of pepper Phytophthora blight: linking released compounds to soil microbial disease suppression
view moreCredit: Guangfei Wang, Jianbin Ji, Chao Lu, Yan Ma, Guihua Li & Jianfeng Zhang
A new study reveals that not all biochar works the same way in protecting crops from disease. Researchers have discovered that the particle size of biochar determines how effectively and how long it can suppress soil-borne pathogens, offering new insights for sustainable agriculture.
Biochar, a carbon-rich material produced from plant biomass, has gained attention for improving soil health and reducing plant diseases. However, until now, scientists did not fully understand how physical properties such as particle size influence its performance.
In this study, researchers investigated how fine and coarse biochar affect pepper plants suffering from Phytophthora blight, a devastating disease caused by the pathogen Phytophthora capsici. Their findings show that particle size controls the timing and durability of disease suppression by regulating how biochar releases nutrients and organic compounds into the soil.
“Our results demonstrate that biochar is not a one-size-fits-all solution,” said the study’s lead author. “Fine biochar acts quickly but loses effectiveness over time, while coarse biochar provides a slower yet more sustained protective effect.”
Through greenhouse experiments, the team found that fine biochar significantly reduced disease severity during the early stages of plant growth. This rapid protection was linked to the quick release of minerals and labile organic carbon, which stimulated beneficial soil microbes and suppressed the pathogen. However, as these compounds were depleted, the protective effect weakened.
In contrast, coarse biochar released its compounds more gradually. While its initial impact was less pronounced, it maintained stronger disease suppression over time. This sustained release supported long-term increases in beneficial bacteria and fungi, which continued to inhibit the pathogen.
The researchers identified key microbial groups, including Pseudomonas, Trichoderma, and Penicillium, that played important roles in suppressing disease. These organisms thrived when biochar released nutrients into the soil, enhancing microbial competition against the pathogen.
“Our findings highlight that biochar works through dynamic interactions with soil microbes,” the authors explained. “By controlling how nutrients are released, particle size shapes the entire microbial ecosystem and its ability to fight disease.”
Importantly, the study showed that electrical conductivity, representing mineral release, and labile organic carbon were the main drivers of microbial activity and disease suppression. These components fueled microbial growth and increased antagonistic interactions against the pathogen, ultimately reducing its abundance.
The research provides a new perspective on how to optimize biochar use in agriculture. Rather than applying a single type of biochar, farmers and land managers may benefit from tailoring particle size to specific goals, such as rapid disease control or long-term soil health improvement.
“This work opens the door to precision biochar applications,” said the researchers. “By selecting the right particle size, we can design more effective and sustainable strategies to protect crops.”
As global agriculture faces increasing pressure from soil degradation and plant diseases, such insights are critical for developing environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides. Biochar, already valued for its carbon storage potential, may also become a powerful tool for managing plant health.
The study offers practical guidance for improving crop resilience while advancing sustainable farming practices, demonstrating that even small physical differences in materials can have major impacts on agricultural outcomes.
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Journal Reference: Wang, G., Ji, J., Lu, C. et al. Particle size influences biochar-mediated control of pepper Phytophthora blight: linking released compounds to soil microbial disease suppression. Biochar 8, 44 (2026).
https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-025-00566-9
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About Biochar
Biochar (e-ISSN: 2524-7867) 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.
Follow us on Facebook, X, and Bluesky.
Journal
Biochar
Method of Research
Experimental study
Article Title
Particle size influences biochar-mediated control of pepper Phytophthora blight: linking released compounds to soil microbial disease suppression
Microscale “charosphere” around biochar particles cuts cadmium uptake in wheat
Using high-resolution sampling in cadmium (Cd)-contaminated soil, researchers show that within just a few millimeters of biochar, soil chemistry shifts dramatically, reducing Cd bioavailability and plant uptake. Wheat grown near these microzones accumulated up to 46% less Cd in roots and 28% less in shoots.
Biochar, a carbon-rich material produced by pyrolyzing crop residues, has emerged as a promising soil amendment capable of improving fertility while reducing pollutant risks. Once incorporated into soil, biochar particles form localized microenvironments—known as “charospheres”—that resemble the rhizosphere surrounding plant roots. Within this narrow zone, typically only 1–2 mm thick, sharp gradients in pH, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and redox conditions develop. Previous research suggested that biochar can immobilize Cd by raising soil pH and providing surface functional groups that bind metals. However, the spatial extent, temporal evolution, and mechanistic control of this microscale process remained unclear. Understanding how far and how long the charosphere influences heavy metal behavior is essential for optimizing biochar-based remediation strategies.
A study (DOI: 10.48130/scm-0025-0016) published in Sustainable Carbon Materials on 28 January 2026 by Jinlong Yan & Yuming Liu’s team, Yancheng Institute of Technology, demonstrates that the effectiveness of biochar depends less on total application rate and more on precise microscale placement, offering a new strategy for safer crop production in contaminated soils.
Using a stratified microcosm system with controlled biochar placement, the study systematically examined microscale soil responses within 0–10 mm of biochar particles over 28 days. Soil pH, DTPA-extractable Cd, DOC, Cd concentrations in wheat tissues, and biochar surface chemistry were measured, and principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to clarify interactions among variables. The results showed that all biochar treatments (2.5%–7.5%) significantly increased soil pH within the charosphere compared with soil 10 mm away, with rises of 0.01–0.36 units depending on application rate. The pH effect was strongest near the particle surface and declined with distance, confirming a clear spatial gradient driven by alkaline ion release. Correspondingly, bioavailable Cd (DTPA-extractable) decreased significantly within the 2-mm zone, particularly during the first 7 days, and remained lower than the control throughout the incubation. Biochar also shifted Cd speciation from exchangeable and carbonate fractions toward more stable reducible and residual forms. DOC concentrations were elevated near biochar surfaces but decreased with distance and over time, with more than 50% of labile DOC degraded within 28 days, indicating dynamic microbial processing. Plant data mirrored soil gradients: compared with the 10 mm position, Cd concentrations declined by 5.3%–28.3% in shoots and 2.3%–46.3% in roots across the 2–8 mm zone, with stronger reductions at higher biochar rates and closer proximity. Surface analyses (SEM-EDS, XPS, FTIR) confirmed that oxygen-containing functional groups (–OH, –COOH, Si–O, Fe–O) mediated Cd complexation and stabilization. PCA revealed that pH, DOC, biochar rate, distance, and time collectively explained over 90% of Cd variability, demonstrating that microscale alkalinity, functional-group density, and temporal surface oxidation jointly govern Cd immobilization and reduced plant uptake within the charosphere.
This study demonstrates that cadmium immobilization is controlled by microscale chemical gradients within the charosphere rather than by bulk soil dilution. Targeted placement of biochar near seeds or root zones can therefore enhance metal stabilization while reducing application rates and costs. By limiting Cd uptake without impairing nutrient availability, charosphere engineering offers a practical strategy for safer crop production, with feedstock composition and pyrolysis conditions serving as key optimization factors.
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References
DOI
Original Souce URL
https://doi.org/10.48130/scm-0025-0016
Funding information
This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos 21677119, 22006127, and 41501339), and the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (Grant No. BK20221407), as well as the Yancheng City Science and Technology Key R&D (Grant No. YCBE202308).
About Sustainable Carbon Materials
Sustainable Carbon Materials is a multidisciplinary platform for communicating advances in fundamental and applied research on carbon-based materials. It is dedicated to serving as an innovative, efficient and professional platform for researchers in the field of carbon materials around the world to deliver findings from this rapidly expanding field of science. It is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal that publishes review, original research, invited review, rapid report, perspective, commentary and correspondence papers.
Method of Research
Experimental study
Subject of Research
Not applicable
Article Title
Biochar-induced charosphere microenvironment modulates soil cadmium bioavailability and wheat uptake
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