References for Biochar

 References

Here are the references from my MENDELEY folder that are related to biochar. I am not sure if they are 100% correct but I think most of them are fine. I think you can find the latest (2012-07-19) and most relevant articles here. Open the links in a new tab. Most of the links will take you to abstract of the article but there are also loads of links for open access journals. Make use of it- Gunjan

Agehara, S., and D.D. Warncke. 2005. Soil Moisture and Temperature Effects on Nitrogen Release from Organic Nitrogen Sources. Soil Science Society of America Journal 69(6): 1844Available at https://www.soils.org/publications/sssaj/abstracts/69/6/1844  (verified 21 March 2011).

Allison, S., and J. Prosser. 1993. Ammonia oxidation at low pH by attached populations of nitrifying bacteria. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 25(7): 935-941Available at http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/003807179390096T .

Anderson, C.R., L.M. Condron, T.J. Clough, M. Fiers, A. Stewart, R. a. Hill, and R.R. Sherlock. 2011. Biochar induced soil microbial community change: Implications for biogeochemical cycling of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus. PedobiologiaAvailable at http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0031405611000618  (verified 31 August 2011).

अमुल्य अंगार

माटोमा खरानीको प्रयोग गर्नु आम नेपाली कृषकको लागि सामान्य कुरा हो। तर अहिलेका कृषकलाई माटोमा अंगारको प्रयोग गर्नु भनेको चाहिँ सायदै कसैलाई थाहा होला। अहिले संसारभरका वैज्ञानिकहरु अंगार माटोमा हालेर खेति गर्दा खेति र वातावरण दुवै राम्रो हुने सम्भावना देखेर यसको अध्ययनमा लागि परेका छन्। यो अध्ययनको थालनी भने सयौ वर्ष पहिले ब्राजिलको घना जंगल भित्र अंगारले भरेर बनाइएको सयौ बिघा जमिनको उत्खनन्बाट सुरु भएको थियो। यस्ता जमिन कम्तीमा ५०० वर्ष पुराना छन् तर अहिले पनि संगैको स्थानीय माटो भन्दा धेरै नै मलिलो छ। यसको अध्ययन ब्राजिलको जंगलबाट प्रेरित भए पनि पुरानो समयमा कृषिमा अंगारको प्रयोग जापान, भारत आदि देशमा नौलो भने रहेनछ। भक्खर मात्र नेपालमा पनि डाँडा चौर गाउँ, डडेल्धुरामा केहि तामांग बस्तीमा अंगार बनाएर बारीमा हाल्ने गरिएको भेटिएको छ।

नेपाली किसन बायोचार अथवा जैविक अंगार बनाउदै ।  फोटो लिंक  http://goo.gl/hUjPK

How could biochar change the fate of marginal soil in Nepal?

Biochar is a carbon rich product that is produced by pyrolysis (heating in incomplete or partial absence of oxygen) of biomass at relatively low temperature (<700°C). Normally, a forest fire exceeds 800°C and a simple visible fire is already nearly 600°C. Biochar is very light carbon product. Biochar has been called Bio-Char, Charcoal (अंगार) or biomass derived black carbon, Agri-Char etc according to purpose of use. However, biochar is different from other because of the intention to incorporate in soil for agricultural and environmental benefits. Thus during the production of biochar special care are taken to optimize plant beneficial properties. It is also important to use the word ‘biochar’ in the scientific world to have consistency in research work and standardize the product.

Biochar: Solution to climate crisis ?

Picture from 

Scientists say the unprecedented climatic events, those not seen in generations, are due to the changing climate. But, the political leaders have not taken scenarios from Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) seriously, which led to embarrassment in the COP-15 in Copenhagen. Recently, another UN international climate change negotiation in Mexico was able to patch some bruises from last year. Still, they have left the most important negotiations on greenhouse gas cut-downs to be discussed in Dublin a year later.


Most of the carbon is stored in the soil and various living bodies in the world. Carbon combines with oxygen through various processes to form carbon dioxide gas. This particular gas released in the atmosphere is one of the important and overwhelmingly successful gases to cause climate change. Most of the climate solutions are also directed to reduce release of this gas to the atmosphere. Burning of fossil fuels, burning of wood, and changing landscapes too releases huge amount of CO2 in the atmosphere.