Sustainability assessment in biochar systems: from production to soil application

Biochar, the charcoal-like co-product of energy generation via biomass gasification, is increasingly promoted as an agronomically-beneficial soil amendment and carbon sequestration strategy. However, fundamental questions about its specific effects on soil and its broader lifecycle footprint remain. This poster highlights two studies designed to increase understanding of the possible benefits of biochar to sustainable energy and agriculture systems. The first consists of a lifecycle assessment study evaluating the greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation potential of gasificaiton systems operating at rice mills in rural Cambodia. Next, a greenhouse experiment examining the magnitude and mechanism of yield changes in winter wheat in response to multiple of biochar treatments across varying soil types is presented.