Comprehensive Effects of Biochar and Other Soil Additives in Agricultural, Forest and Grassland Ecosystems—2nd Edition

Dear Colleagues,

Soil additives, such as biochar, organic fertilizer, nitrification inhibitor, can alleviate stress and improve soil’s physical, chemical, and biological properties, thereby enhancing ecosystem services in agriculture, forestry, and grassland while having minimal negative impacts on the environment and acting as soil conditioners. For instance, biochar is a nutrient-rich and polyporous substance produced from biomass that has attracted attention for its uses in soil fertility improvement, crop yield enhancement, and carbon sequestration. In recent years, the use of biochar and other soil additives in agricultural, forest, and grassland production has increased proportionally, as they can improve soil fertility, promote soil microbial activity, reduce bulk density, and improve soil nutrients and water-holding capacity. In addition, soil amendments can increase the availability of nutrients in different soils and increase plant biomass.

This Special Issue will collect articles focusing on the following topics:

• Improving biochar production methods for recycling agricultural and forestry residues;
• Novel soil additives for improving soil health and quality;
• Role of soil additives in soil ecosystems;
• Effects of soil additives on plant and major crop production systems;
• Roles of biochar and biochar-based fertilizers in improving soil properties and promoting plant nutrient uptake;
• Responses of climate change to biochar and other soil additives—review or meta-analysis;
• Soil C and N transformations and the environmental effects resulting from biochar and other soil amendments.

This Special Issue will enable a broad understanding of the sustainable applications of biochar and other typical soil additives in agricultural, forest, and grassland ecosystems.

Prof. Dr. Haijun Sun
Guest Editor

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