ABSTRACT
Large scale burning of plant residue creates environmental (air) pollution, soil organic matter loss, human health hazard and greenhouse gases emission. Agriculture sector in India contributes 18 per cent towards greenhouse gases emission. Therefore, there is a need for alternate method for managing this large amount of plant residues. In recent years, biochar has emerged as a useful option for managing crop residue instead of burning it in open fields. Biochar is a carbon rich highly porous substance obtained after pyrolysis (thermal decomposition, combusted under low or no oxygen conditions) of organic biomass or agricultural residues. Biochar production is highly dependent on temperature, heating rate and residence time maintained during its production. Biochar has multiple benefits ranging from soil improvement to mitigating climate change (soil carbon sequestration) and immobilization of pollutants (heavy metals). India has great potential towards production of biochar, due to large availability of residue biomass. In the present chapter, potential benefits of biochar application, methods of biochar production and their effect on soil health and environment are discussed.
