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- ItemBiochar research activities and their relation to development and environmental quality. A meta-analysis(Berlin ; Heidelberg : Springer, 2017-6-6) Mehmood, Khalid; Chávez Garcia, Elizabeth; Schirrmann, Michael; Ladd, Brenton; Kammann, Claudia; Wrage-Mönnig, Nicole; Siebe, Christina; Estavillo, Jose M.; Fuertes-Mendizabal, Teresa; Cayuela, Mariluz; Sigua, Gilbert; Spokas, Kurt; Cowie, Annette L.; Novak, Jeff; Ippolito, James A.; Borchard, NilsBiochar is the solid product that results from pyrolysis of organic materials. Its addition to highly weathered soils changes physico-chemical soil properties, improves soil functions and enhances crop yields. Highly weathered soils are typical of humid tropics where agricultural productivity is low and needs to be raised to reduce human hunger and poverty. However, impact of biochar research on scientists, politicians and end-users in poor tropical countries remains unknown; assessing needs and interests on biochar is essential to develop reliable knowledge transfer/translation mechanisms. The aim of this publication is to present results of a meta-analysis conducted to (1) survey global biochar research published between 2010 and 2014 to assess its relation to human development and environmental quality, and (2) deduce, based on the results of this analysis, priorities required to assess and promote the role of biochar in the development of adapted and sustainable agronomic methods. Our main findings reveal for the very first time that: (1) biochar research associated with less developed countries focused on biochar production technologies (26.5 ± 0.7%), then on biochars’ impact on chemical soil properties (18.7 ± 1.2%), and on plant productivity (17.1 ± 2.6%); (2) China dominated biochar research activities among the medium developed countries focusing on biochar production technologies (26.8 ± 0.5%) and on use of biochar as sorbent for organic and inorganic compounds (29.1 ± 0.4%); and (3) the majority of biochar research (69.0±2.9%) was associated with highly developed countries that are able to address a higher diversity of questions. Evidently, less developed countries are eager to improve soil fertility and agricultural productivity, which requires transfer and/or translation of biochar knowledge acquired in highly developed countries. Yet, improving local research capacities and encouraging synergies across scientific disciplines and countries are crucial to foster development of sustainable agronomy in less developed countries. © 2017, The Author(s).
- ItemBiochars in soils: towards the required level of scientific understanding(Vilnius : VGTU Press, 2016) Tammeorg, Priit; Bastos, Ana Catarina; Jeffery, Simon; Rees, Frédéric; Kern, Jürgen; Graber, Ellen R.; Ventura, Maurizio; Kibblewhite, Mark; Amaro, António; Budai, Alice; Cordovil, Cláudia M.d.S.; Domene, Xavier; Gardi, Ciro; Gascó, Gabriel; Horák, Ján; Kammann, Claudia; Kondrlova, Elena; Laird, David; Loureiro, Susana; Martins, Martinho A.S.; Panzacchi, Pietro; Prasad, Munoo; Prodana, Marija; Puga, Aline Peregrina; Ruysschaert, Greet; Sas-Paszt, Lidia; Silva, Flávio C.; Teixeira, Wenceslau Geraldes; Tonon, Giustino; Delle Vedove, Gemini; Zavalloni, Costanza; Glaser, Bruno; Verheijen, Frank G.A.Key priorities in biochar research for future guidance of sustainable policy development have been identified by expert assessment within the COST Action TD1107. The current level of scientific understanding (LOSU) regarding the consequences of biochar application to soil were explored. Five broad thematic areas of biochar research were addressed: soil biodiversity and ecotoxicology, soil organic matter and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, soil physical properties, nutrient cycles and crop production, and soil remediation. The highest future research priorities regarding biochar’s effects in soils were: functional redundancy within soil microbial communities, bioavailability of biochar’s contaminants to soil biota, soil organic matter stability, GHG emissions, soil formation, soil hydrology, nutrient cycling due to microbial priming as well as altered rhizosphere ecology, and soil pH buffering capacity. Methodological and other constraints to achieve the required LOSU are discussed and options for efficient progress of biochar research and sustainable application to soil are presented.