Will Biochar Suppress or Stimulate Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Agricultural Fields? Unveiling the Dice Game through Data Syntheses

With the increasing popularity of biochar as a soil amendment worldwide in recent years, question concern arises to whether application would suppress or stimulate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In this study, published data extracted from independent individual studies were systematically selected, statistically processed, graphically presented and critically analyzed understand biochar’s influences on emissions CO2, CH4 N2O—the three major GHGs emitted agricultural fields. The results revealed not only significant importance pyrolysis temperature for its impacts GHG emissions, but also dissimilar generations different GHGs. biochar, general, stimulated CO2 various extents. pyrolyzed under relatively lower temperatures (e.g., <500 °C), higher rates generally resulted more emissions; whereas those >550 °C) became less stimulative (and sometimes even suppressive) especially when applied at rates. Nevertheless, response N2O emission contrasted with CH4. may contribute better regulations combating agriculture.