Search

The beneficial role of biochar on improvement of soil quality, C sequestration, and enhancing crop yield is widely reported. As such there is not much consolidated information available linking biochar modulated soil condition improvement and soil nutrient availability on crop yields. The present review paper addresses the above issues by compilation of world literature on biochar and a new dimension is introduced in this review by performing a meta-analysis of published data by using multivariate statistical analysis. Hence this review is a new in its kind and is useful to the broad spectrum of readers. Generally, alkalinity in biochar increases with increase in pyrolysis temperature and majority of the biochar is alkaline in nature except a few which are acidic. The N content in many biochar was reported to be more than 4% as well as less than 0.5%. Poultry litter biochar is a rich source of P (3.12%) and K (7.40%), while paper mill sludge biochar is higher in Ca content (31.1%) and swine solids biochar in Zn (49810 mg kg−1), and Fe (74800 mg kg−1) contents. The effect of biochar on enhancing soil pH was higher in Alfisol, Ferrosol and Acrisol. Soil application of biochar could on an average increase (78%), decrease (16%), or show no effect on crop yields under different soil types. Biochar produced at a lower pyrolysis temperature could deliver greater soil nutrient availabilities than that prepared at higher temperature. Principal component analysis (PCA) of available data shows an inverse relationship between [pyrolysis temperature and soil pH], and [biochar application rate and soil cation exchange capacity]. The PCA also suggests that the original soil properties and application rate strongly control crop yield stimulations via biochar amendments. Finally, biochar application shows net soil C gains while also serving for increased plant biomass production that strongly recommends biochar as a useful soil amendment. Therefore, the application of biochar to soils emerges as a 'win-win strategy' for sustainable waste management, climate change mitigation and food security. • Nutrient value of various biochar is discussed. • Impact of biochar on improvement of soil pH, CEC and buffering system delineated. • Major, secondary and micronutrients dynamics in soil is elucidated. • Effect of biochar on crop yields in different soils across the globe discussed. • Meta-analysis of data done to explore the influence of biochar on soil chemical properties and crop yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smallholder farmers in the Philippines are typically considered to be particularly vulnerable to climate change, yet, relatively little is known about how that vulnerability differs between men and women farmers, particularly in conflict-prone areas. Using the region of Mindanao in Philippines as a case study, this paper presents an analysis of focus groups (n = 14) and interviews (n = 77) to showcase gendered vulnerabilities of smallholder farmers to climate change. This analysis reveals that both climate change and conflict significantly increase smallholder vulnerability, resulting in loss of livelihoods, financial assets, agricultural yield and the worsening of debt problems. Women and men are affected differently, resulting in changing farming patterns and coping strategies. Women are more disadvantaged and as such tend to farm in smaller plots, work shorter hours or limit farming to cash crops. Extreme climate events in conflict-prone agrarian communities appear to subject women to forced migration, increased discrimination, loss of customary rights to land, resource poverty and food insecurity. The paper concludes by recommending implementing climate-smart agriculture solutions that are both gender and conflict sensitive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food and agriculture are growing issues due to climate change, flattening yield productivity, and the link between food availability and national security. Most technology and scientific development related to improving agricultural yield hasbeen very narrowly focused on a specific area such as sensors or imaging or genetics. In this paper, we argue that the technology to improve yields already exists and that the most important requirement is to advance the integration and analysis of multi-modal data such as meteorological, sensor, image, and genetic information in real-time in a distributed (lab to farm) manner. We examine multiple trends related to processing, storage, imaging, genomic and proteomic data, and farming technology. By analyzing the relationship of these trends we provide a set of foundational needs or focus areas beyond simple predictive algorithms that are necessary to improve yields. This paper shows that we are relatively close to being able to increase crop yields and improve food production through better use of existing technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]