Work

Effects of biochar and fertilizer application on greenhouse gas emissions and soil carbon sequestration potential under field conditions

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Integrated assessments of soil management interventions on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and carbon sequestration are crucial for developing innovative and sustainable agricultural systems. However, the potential application of biochar with fertilizer to maximize environmental benefits in reducing soil GHG emissions remains unclear. In this study, a field experiment was conducted to assess the effects of biochar application, with and without fertilizer, on GHG emission reductions and carbon sequestration potential in a sorghum field at Prairie View A&M University’s research farm in the southern Great Plains of Texas, USA. The findings indicated that biochar application with fertilizer increased soil organic carbon and surface-level soil moisture, while reducing both surface and subsurface nitrogen levels. Furthermore, biochar application with full and reduced fertilizer application rates was found to reduce CH 4 , CO 2 , and N 2 O fluxes from 5.5% to 12.4%. Biochar application with full-rate fertilizer was found to increase sorghum yields up to (+35%), while a 2.5 t/acre application of biochar with reduced fertilizer found decreased sorghum yields. Besides, biochar application significantly increased net ecosystem carbon balance, with maximum sequestration under B5 treatments (up to 19.6 Mg C ha⁻¹), followed by B2.5, highlighting its potential to enhance carbon sequestration for climate mitigation and sustainable soil management. N 2 O was found to be the most potent GHG in terms of its cumulative global warming potential (GWP). CH₄ and CO₂ contributions were generally low across treatments, accounting for 5–10% or less of the total GWP, and showed relatively little variation among treatments. These results indicate that fertilizer management has a strong influence on N₂O emissions, whereas biochar alone has a minor effect on reducing daily GWP. The findings indicate that biochar, with and without fertilizer application, in sorghum fields improves soil physicochemical properties and reduces soil GHG emissions, and increases carbon sequestration.

Source: Sustainable Chemistry for Climate Action

DOI: 10.1016/j.scca.2026.100209

Authors: Birhan Getachew Tikuye, Ram Lakhan Ray, Srijana Chaudhary, Olukayode Kuloyo, Christian Davies

Institutions: Prairie View A&M University, Shell (United States)

Language: English

Topic: Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics

Subfield: Soil Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Life on land, Zero hunger, Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,550