Advances in Biochar and Carbon-Negative Technologies for Sustainable Soil Management and Enhanced Crop Productivity

Dear Colleagues,

The global challenges of ensuring food security and combating climate change are driving the agricultural sector to seek sustainable, innovative solutions. Among the most promising of these is the application of carbon-negative technologies, particularly biochar, which offer the potential to enhance crop productivity while actively contributing to climate change mitigation.

Biochar, a stable, carbon-rich material produced through the pyrolysis of biomass under limited-oxygen conditions, has garnered increasing attention due to its multifunctional benefits in agroecosystems. As a soil amendment, biochar has been shown to improve soil structure, increase nutrient and water retention, enhance microbial activity, and boost nutrient use efficiency, all of which contribute to higher and more resilient crop yields. Additionally, biochar can significantly reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, such as methane and nitrous oxide, from soils.

One of the most significant advantages of biochar is its role in long-term carbon sequestration. By stabilizing carbon in soil for decades or even centuries, biochar functions not only as an agronomic tool but also as a climate mitigation one—making it a key player in the transition toward low-carbon agriculture.

This Special Issue invites original research, reviews, and case studies that delve into various aspects of biochar use in sustainable crop production systems. We particularly welcome studies that carry out the following:

• Investigating the synergistic effects of biochar and other organic and inorganic soil amendments (e.g., compost, manure, mineral fertilizers);
• Examining biochar's interactions with soil microbial communities and their implications for nutrient cycling and plant health;
• Evaluating field-scale impacts on crop yield, quality, and resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses (e.g., drought, pests, disease);
• Assessing soil health indicators such as pH, organic matter content, and enzymatic activities in biochar-amended soils;
• Analyzing the long-term effects of repeated or high-rate biochar applications across different soil types and climatic zones.

Furthermore, we strongly encourage contributions that take a holistic, systems-based approach, integrating the following:

• Life cycle assessments (LCAs) to evaluate the environmental footprint of biochar production and application;
• Economic analyses assessing the cost-effectiveness and scalability of biochar use in different farming contexts;
• Circular bioeconomy models that link biochar production with renewable energy, waste valorization, and sustainable land management.

By bringing together diverse perspectives and innovative research, this Special Issue will advance our understanding of how biochar and related carbon-negative strategies can contribute to a climate-smart, resource-efficient, and resilient agricultural future.

Dr. Muhammad Ayaz
Dr. Modupe Doyeni
Guest Editors

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• biochar
• carbon-negative technology
• pyrolysis
• soil fertility
• crop productivity
• greenhouse gas mitigation
• circular bioeconomy
• soil amendment
• sustainable agriculture
• carbon sequestration