The increasing need to ensure global food security and promote sustainable agricultural practices has necessitated the development of alternative approaches to the environmental problems caused by the use of traditional mineral fertilizers. This review article, prepared within this context, comprehensively examines the development of biochar-coated controlled-release fertilizers (BCSRFs) over the last decade (2015–2025). The study evaluates in detail the production techniques of BCSRFs, the properties of coating materials, nutrient release mechanisms, and the impacts of these systems on agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability. Furthermore, environmental gains such as increased nutrient use efficiency (NUE), reduced greenhouse gas emissions and nutrient leaching, as well as economic feasibility and scalability are discussed. With the potential to improve soil fertility and limit environmental losses, BCSRFs stand out as an innovative and promising solution for modern agricultural systems. This review aims to synthesize the existing literature and provide a scientific framework for future research and applications.
The growing pressure exerted by global food demand, combined with the excessive use of chemical and synthetic inputs, is prompting the agricultural sector to seek innovative and sustainable solutions to improve, or at least maintain, crop yields in a context of increased abiotic stress linked to climate change. Among the promising approaches, biostimulants are attracting growing interest, particularly those derived from natural sources such as seaweed extracts, humic acids, and beneficial microorganisms. These products work through various mechanisms, including osmotic regulation, activation of antioxidant systems, stimulation of root growth, and improvement of nutrient absorption. Many recent research and review articles have explored the optimal combinations of raw materials, formulation processes, target crops, and environmental conditions to maximize beneficial effects on plant growth, soil health, and tolerance to abiotic stresses. As a result, a growing range of commercial products is emerging, with diverse chemical compositions, formulations, and modes of application. However, the precise relationships between the biochemical composition of biostimulants and their physiological effects remain poorly understood, suggesting a key role for molecular synergies. This review provides a concise overview of recent advances in biostimulant research and their potential to enhance food security by improving crop resilience in the context of climate change.
Sustainable agriculture is increasingly challenged by soil degradation, environmental pollution, and climate change, necessitating the pragmatic and eco-friendly approach. This review systematically synthesizes the role of biochar as multifunctional soil management strategy in enhancing soil health and sustainable environmental management, with particular emphasis on the critical roles of feedstock type and pyrolysis conditions in governing biochar performance. To address existing knowledge gaps, we comprehensively evaluate recent available literature on biochar-based environmental remediation, focusing on key indicators of agricultural sustainability, including nutrients availability, soil biological activity, climate change mitigation, biochar-assisted phytostabilization, and crop productivity. Current evidence indicates that biochar application can achieve a net negative carbon footprint, mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and heavy metal contamination, and improve soil structure, fertility, and overall crop productivity on sustainable-basis. However, these benefits largely depend upon the various important biochar production factors including feedstock source, pyrolysis temperature, biochar stability, residence time, rate of application, and soil pH. Beyond its function as a soil amendment, biochar also serves as a multifunctional resource contributing to bioenergy production, waste reduction, and long-term carbon sequestration. At the same time, this review identifies critical research gaps, including the long-term field performance of biochar, mechanisms underlying the interactions between biochar and agronomic practices, and the environmental and human health risks associated with large-scale agricultural applications. Overall, this work highlights the importance of feedstock selection and pyrolysis parameters in designing biochar for environmental remediation and outlines future research directions to refine biochar engineering, application guidelines, and risk assessment frameworks for its sustainable use.
Burning rice straw in open fields has led to a plethora of concerns, ranging from air pollution to soil carbon losses, posing a risk to human health and disturbing the soil ecosystem. The problem of rice stubble burning has been addressed by adopting different in-situ and ex-situ conservation technologies supported by the government and private companies. Biochar production from rice straw is one such method. Biochar is a carbon-rich porous material produced by the thermochemical conversion of various biomass feedstocks and is used globally to improve soil properties. It plays a crucial role in sustainable agriculture and in environmental health. It has the potential to enhance soil fertility, water retention, and nutrient cycling, while also offering carbon sequestration benefits. However, the adoption of biochar as a soil amendment practice is still challenging owing to the limited understanding of the long-term effects on soil health, the establishment of onsite production facilities, high energy consumption in the production process, and inconsistent results depending on the variable soil types. For biochar to be applied practically for soil improvement in different climatic regions and crop production, it is important to understand the potential effects of biochar on soil properties, the factors that cause soil to change when biochar is added, and the mechanisms of biochar–soil interaction. This review provides an overview of the current research on rice straw biochar and identifies key limitations that will direct future research and policy decisions for its integration into sustainable farming practices. It underscores the potential of biochar to combat global warming, mitigate environmental damage, and its role in reversing the impacts of climate change in line with sustainable development goals.
Biochar, a carbon-rich product resulting from the thermochemical transformation of organic biomass under limited oxygen condition, is currently drawing much worldwide attention due to its multiple applications in carbon sequestration, soil improvement, environmental remediation, and biomass waste management. Initially, the focus of research was primarily on the technical possibilities of biochar production, its economic aspects, and its contribution to climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration and the promotion of sustainable agriculture. Nevertheless, recent research indicates the high complexity and dynamics of biochar interactions with the environment, driven by a combination of factors like feedstock type, process conditions, biochar properties, and other factors. While biochar exhibits multiple beneficial effects, including improving soil structure, enhancing nutrient retention, promoting microbial activities, and remediating contaminants, several environmental risks associated with biochar application have also been identified, namely the formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), heavy metal contamination, creation of persistent free radicals, changes in soil chemistry, and modification of soil microbial community structure. Such risks are greatly related to production process parameters, treatment methods, and biochar application practices. Moreover, differences in feedstock choice, pyrolysis temperature, reactor design, biochar application rate, and analytical methods used make comparative analysis of results difficult.
Salicornia is a genus of salt-tolerant plants capable of growing and producing biomass under conditions that severely constrain conventional agriculture. Beyond its ecological niche as a halophyte, Salicornia has emerged as a multifunctional crop for sustainable food, feed, and bio-based production in saline landscapes. The increasing generation of saline wastewaters and brines from aquaculture, municipal treatment, agro-industrial activities, and greenhouse systems intensifies the need for natural solutions that can recover resources while protecting soils and receiving ecosystems. This review synthesizes current understanding of how Salicornia species perform when irrigated with saline wastewaters, with particular attention to their dual role as productive crops and phytoremediation agents. It further examines the biological mechanisms underlying salt tolerance and the influence of wastewater characteristics on biomass production and phytoremediation performance. Overall, the evidence indicates that Salicornia performs particularly well in nutrient-rich, controlled saline effluents, whereas more complex wastewater matrices require careful contaminant management to ensure biomass quality and safe reuse. This synthesis positions Salicornia as a fundamental species for circular and climate-resilient strategies linking saline wastewater reuse with crop production, while emphasizing that standardized reporting, long-term field validation, and contaminant-aware biomass management remain essential to support wider adoption.
