Biochar, a charcoal produced from biomass, can sequester carbon in soil for hundreds to thousands of years. Biochar is created by heating organic material under conditions of limited or no oxygen. Soil organic matter needs to be maintained and further increased to keep soil healthy. Biochar is extremely porous which allows it to retain nutrients and water and improved soil aggregate stability. The quality of biochar as a soil ameliorant depends on the feedstock and on soil type, temperature, and humidity. Converting biomass to biochar offers an excellent method for waste management and using these byproducts for the improvement of soil quality and productivity.
