Sustainable Agriculture Reviews 61: Biochar to Improve Crop Production and Decrease Plant Stress under a Changing Climate

Description

The book aim to contribute the latest understandings of physiological, biochemical and molecular bases of the responses of major crop plants to a range of different biomass produced biochar to introduce climate resilience crop varieties which leads to enhanced crop productivity and quality under stressful conditions and also for better utilization of natural resources to ensure food security through modern breeding. Finally, this book will be a valuable resource for future plant stress related research with biochar, and can be considered as a reference book for front-line researchers working on sustaining crop production under climate change. Adverse effects of climate changes on crops has developed the situation quite critical for sustainable agriculture. Food security has become in danger due to low production of agricultural crops by resilient climate and ever increasing human population. Heat, drought, salinity, soil compaction, flooding and poor soil organic carbon induced stress in crops by climate adverse conditions are major concerns in this regard. A mechanistic understanding of the interactions between abiotic stresses response of crops is needed to identify and take advantage of acclimation traits in major crop species as a prerequisite for securing robust yield and good quality. This underpins a need for crops with inherent yield increase, yield stability against multiple abiotic stresses and improved quality. Individual stress tolerance mechanisms have been well documented so far. However, mechanisms behind plants’ tolerance by application of biochar and its interactions with soil and plant roots towards multiple abiotic stresses are not fully understood. In addition, there will always be some uncertainty associated with modelling the complex relationships between agricultural yields, product quality with biochar under future climate scenarios. Prediction of yield and quality stability, one of most complex agronomic traits, must integrate aspects of plant development, physiology, biochemistry and genetics. Furthermore, the GxExM interactions will complicate the model predications, thus the responses of a given genotype to a defined environment under certain management strategy need to be determined empirically and used to parameterise and refine crop models. Preface Contents About the Editors and Contributors Editors Contributors Part I: Improvement of Crop Yield Chapter 1: Biochar Application for Improving the Yield and Quality of Crops Under Climate Change 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Biochar Synthesis 1.3 Biochar for Sustainable Agriculture 1.4 Role of Biochar in Climate Change Mitigation 1.4.1 Carbon Sequestration 1.4.2 Evaluation of Biochar System 1.4.3 Biochar and Bioenergy Production 1.4.4 Soil Biological Activity and Biochar Stability 1.4.5 Effect of Biochar on Tillage 1.4.6 Biochar to Improve Soil Quality 1.4.7 Biochar Impact on Greenhouse Gases 1.4.8 Economic Feasibility 1.5 Biochar for Improving Crop Health 1.5.1 Soil Health Management 1.5.1.1 Impact of Biochar on Soil Physical Properties 1.5.1.2 Impact of Biochar on Soil Chemical Properties 1.5.1.3 Impact of Biochar on Soil Biological Properties 1.5.2 Nutrient Retention, Use Efficiency and Leaching 1.5.2.1 Nutrient Retention 1.5.2.2 Nutrient Use Efficiency 1.5.3 Water Retention and Irrigation Management 1.5.4 Biochar for Remediation of Pesticide-Contaminated Soils 1.5.5 Role of Biochar for Improving Quality of Irrigation Water 1.5.6 Role of Biochar in Enhancing Crop Yield and Productivity 1.5.7 Potential Drawbacks of Biochar Application 1.6 Conclusion References Chapter 2: Biochar to Improve Crops Yield and Quality Under a Changing Climate 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Biochar as Soil Conditioner 2.3 Biochar in Optimizing Crop Quality and Yield 2.4 Biochar with Organic and Mineral Fertilizers 2.5 Conclusion References Chapter 3: Biochar for Improving Crop Productivity and Soil Fertility 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Biochar and Crop Productivity 3.2.1 Biochar as a Soil Amendment 3.3 Conclusion References Chapter 4: Biochar Application to Soil to Improve Fertility 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Effects of Biochar 4.3 Status of Biochar 4.4 Biochar Effect on Plant Growth 4.5 Biochar Production 4.6 Physical and Chemical Characterization 4.6.1 Soil Organic Carbon 4.6.2 Soil Inorganic Carbon 4.6.3 Albedo 4.6.4 Water Retention 4.6.5 Evapotranspiration 4.6.6 Net Primary Productivity 4.6.7 Black Carbon 4.7 Uses of Biochar 4.8 Influences of Biochar on Agriculture 4.9 Impact of Biochar on the Respiration Rate of Plants Roots 4.10 Conclusion References Part II: Alleviation of Plant Stress Chapter 5: Biochar as Soil Amendment for Mitigating Nutrients Stress in Crops 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Biochar Versus Other Organic Amendments 5.3 Biochar Effects on Soil Properties 5.4 Biochar for Carbon Sequestration 5.5 Biochar Role in Nitrogen Availability 5.6 Biochar and Phosphorus Availability 5.7 Biochar and Micronutrients Availability 5.8 Conclusion References Chapter 6: Biochar to Mitigate Crop Exposure to Soil Compaction Stress 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Types of Biochar 6.3 Biochar Types Based on Pyrolysis 6.4 Importance of Biochar for Crop Productivity 6.5 Soil Physical and Chemical Properties 6.6 Biochar for Better Nutrient Availability in Soil 6.7 Nutrient Supply and Retention 6.8 Biochar Increased Soil Fertility 6.9 Physical Enhancement of Soil Fertility by Biochar 6.10 Biochar Interactions in Soil 6.11 Conclusion References Chapter 7: Biochar for Mitigation of Heat Stress in Crop Plants 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Effect of Heat Stress on Crop Production 7.3 Heat Stress Toxicity in Plants 7.4 Effect of Biochar on Plant Growth and Physiology Under Heat Stress 7.5 Biochar Mitigation of Heat Stress by Decreasing Greenhouse Gas Emission 7.6 Biochar Mitigation of Heat Stress by Improving the Root Zone Environment 7.6.1 Improvement of the Soil Water Holding Capacity 7.6.2 Improvement of Soil Bulk Density 7.6.3 Biochar Application Increases Soil Organic Matter Content 7.6.4 Reshaping Soil Microbial Community’s Structures 7.7 Conclusion References Chapter 8: Biochar Application to Soil for Mitigation of Nutrients Stress in Plants 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Biochar to Alleviate Nutrient Stress 8.3 Nutrients Stress and Plant Growth 8.4 Nutrient Stress and Plant Cell Functions 8.5 Physiological Alteration and Role of Micronutrients Under Nutrient Stress 8.6 Management of Nutrient Stress 8.7 Sustainable Plant Growth Under a Stressed Environment with Biochar 8.8 Physiochemical Changes in Soil After Biochar Addition 8.9 Management of Nutrients by Biochar Under Nutritional Stress 8.10 Conclusion References Part III: Improvement of Soil Health Chapter 9: Biochar from On-Farm Feedstocks for Sustainable Potassium Management in Soils 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Forms of Potassium in Soil 9.3 Potassium in Field Crops Residues and Its Release 9.4 Potassium in Biochar and Its Release 9.5 Potassium Enriched Biochar a Way to Agricultural Sustainability 9.6 Conclusion References Chapter 10: Biochar for Crop Protection from Soil Borne Diseases 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Biochar to Improve Soil Health 10.3 Improvement of Soil Microflora and Plant Growth by Biochar Amendment 10.4 Effects of Biochar Application on Plant Diseases 10.4.1 Biochar to Control of Soilborne Phytopathogens 10.4.2 Role of Biochar in Induced Resistance Against Soilborne Phytopathogens 10.5 Status 10.6 Conclusion References Chapter 11: Biofertilizers to Improve Soil Health and Crop Yields 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Current Fertility Status of Pakistani Soils 11.3 Biofertilizers 11.3.1 Types of Biofertilizers 11.3.2 Phosphate-Solubilizing Microbe Biofertilizers 11.3.3 Rhizobium Biofertilizers 11.3.4 Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Biofertilizers 11.3.5 Azotobacter Biofertilizers 11.3.6 Azospirillum Biofertilizers 11.3.7 Azolla and Blue Green Algae Biofertilizers 11.3.8 Silicon-Solubilizing Microbe Biofertilizers 11.4 Biofertilizer Effect on Cucumber 11.5 Market Characteristics for the Release of Biofertilizer 11.6 Pakistan and Biofertilizers 11.6.1 History of Biofertilizers in Pakistan 11.6.2 Biofertilizer Research and Development in Pakistan 11.6.3 Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad 11.6.4 The Nuclear Institute of Agriculture and Biology and National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering 11.6.5 The National Agricultural Research Centre 11.6.5.1 Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences (ISES), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 11.6.6 The Nature Farming Research and Development Foundation 11.6.7 Biofertilizer Studies in Higher Education Institutes of Pakistan 11.7 Problems of Mass Scale Production and Commercialization of Biofertilizers in Pakistan 11.8 Recommendations 11.9 Conclusion References Chapter 12: Biochar Application to Soils to Improve the Management of Irrigation Water 12.1 Introduction 12.2 Impact of Biochar on Irrigation Water Movement, Retention, and Quality 12.2.1 Effect of Biochar on Soil Water Holding Capacity 12.2.2 Effect of Biochar on Soil Surface Runoff and Erosion 12.2.3 Effect of Biochar on Soil Hydraulic Conductivity 12.2.4 Effect of Biochar on Soil Water Repellency 12.2.5 Effect of Biochar on Nutrient Leaching and Mobility 12.2.6 Effect of Biochar on Heavy metals and Organic Pollutants Reduction in Irrigation Water 12.3 Factors Influencing the Effectiveness of Biochar 12.3.1 Source of Feedstock 12.3.2 Pyrolysis Conditions/Process 12.3.3 Biochar Application Rate 12.3.4 Biochar Basic Properties 12.3.5 Co-application of Biochar with Other Amendments 12.3.6 Biochar Modification 12.4 Conclusion References Chapter 13: Role of Biochar in the Adsorption of Heavy Metals 13.1 Introduction 13.2 Interactions Between Biochar and Heavy Metals 13.2.1 Direct Interactions Between Biochar and Heavy Metals in Soils 13.2.1.1 Complexation 13.2.1.2 Ion Exchange 13.2.1.3 Precipitation 13.2.1.4 Electrostatic Interaction 13.2.2 Indirect Interactions Between Biochar and Heavy Metals in Soils 13.2.2.1 Changes in Soil pH Resulting from Biochar Application 13.2.2.2 Changes in Soil Cation Exchange Capacity Resulting from Biochar Application 13.2.2.3 Changes in Dissolved Organic Carbon in Soil Resulting from Biochar Application 13.2.2.4 Changes in Mineral Matter Content of Soils Resulting from Biochar Application 13.3 Conclusion References Part IV: Microbial Interactions Chapter 14: Positive and Negative Impacts of Biochar on Microbial Diversity 14.1 Introduction 14.2 Positive Impact of Biochar on Microbiota and Their Secretions 14.3 Biochar Colonization by Microorganisms 14.4 Reduction in Toxicity of Contaminants to Microorganisms 14.5 Modification of Microbial Habitats 14.6 Negative Impacts of Biochar on Microbial Diversities 14.7 Bactericidal and Anti-pathogenic Effects 14.8 Impact of Toxic Biochar Compounds 14.9 Indirect Impact of Biochar on Microorganisms 14.10 Conclusion References Chapter 15: Biochar and Arbuscular Mycorrhizae Fungi to Improve Soil Organic Matter and Fertility 15.1 Introduction 15.2 Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi 15.3 Classification of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi 15.4 Symbiosis of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi with Plants 15.5 Biochar as Soil Amendment 15.6 Biochar and Soil Physiochemical Properties 15.7 Factors Affecting the Properties of Biochar 15.8 Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Biochar Interaction 15.9 Dynamics of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Response to Biochar 15.10 Conclusion References Chapter 16: Biochar Feedstocks, Synthesis and Interaction with Soil Microorganisms 16.1 Introduction 16.2 Factors Affecting Quality Standards of Biochar 16.2.1 Physiochemical Characteristics of Biochar Feedstock 16.2.2 Technologies for Biochar Production 16.2.3 Pyrolysis 16.2.4 Torrefaction 16.2.5 Hydrothermal Carbonization 16.2.6 Gasification 16.3 Characterization of Biochar 16.4 Effect of Biochar on Soil Physio-Chemical and Biological Properties 16.5 Interaction of the Soil Microbial Community with Biochar 16.6 Conclusion References Index