Author: Satish Kumar, Rakesh Kumar, Satyavir S. Sindhu
Citation: Kumar, Satish, Rakesh Kumar, and Satyavir S. Sindhu. "Biochar and biofertilizers combined fertilization technology for modulating soil health, plant growth and environmental sustainability." Total Environment Microbiology (2026): 100083.
Abstract:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S3050641726000285
More efficient food production systems are required to achieve higher crop yieds and sufficient food supply for expanding global human population. Under current intensive agricultural practices for increasing food production, chemical fertilizers are injudiciously applied to crops, which cause adverse environmental impacts. Recently, use of plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPMs) as biofertilizers has emerged as alternative technology to reduce use of chemical fertilizers and for improving plant's nutritional supply, soil health and environmental sustainability. In addition, a carbon-rich substance biochar made from organic biomass through pyrolysis, is being used as a carrier material for immobilizing PGPMs to improve plant growth and crop yield. The use of biochar has been demonstrated to change the physical and chemical characteristics of soil, and improves the survival and colonization of inoculated microorganisms in soil resulting in enhanced biogeochemical cycling of nutrients for subsequent uptake by plant roots. However, the commercialization of biofertilizers and biochar is still restricted due to lacking of inoculants' field efficacy and consistency. For ensuring green, environment-friendly sustainable agriculture development, efficient formulation technologies are needed to maintain the viability of microbial inoculants during storage, transportation and field application. This review systematically summarizes the beneficial effects of biochar and biofertilizers combined fertilization (BioComFert) as a viable alternative leading to increased crop production and enhancing stress tolerance. Finally, future perspectives are proposed to strengthen research on plant-microbe interactions for promoting biochar and biofertilizers combined fertilization in modern agriculture.
Author: Satish Kumar, Rakesh Kumar, Satyavir S. Sindhu
Citation: Kumar, Satish, Rakesh Kumar, and Satyavir S. Sindhu. "Biochar and biofertilizers combined fertilization technology for modulating soil health, plant growth and environmental sustainability." Total Environment Microbiology (2026): 100083.
Abstract:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S3050641726000285
More efficient food production systems are required to achieve higher crop yieds and sufficient food supply for expanding global human population. Under current intensive agricultural practices for increasing food production, chemical fertilizers are injudiciously applied to crops, which cause adverse environmental impacts. Recently, use of plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPMs) as biofertilizers has emerged as alternative technology to reduce use of chemical fertilizers and for improving plant's nutritional supply, soil health and environmental sustainability. In addition, a carbon-rich substance biochar made from organic biomass through pyrolysis, is being used as a carrier material for immobilizing PGPMs to improve plant growth and crop yield. The use of biochar has been demonstrated to change the physical and chemical characteristics of soil, and improves the survival and colonization of inoculated microorganisms in soil resulting in enhanced biogeochemical cycling of nutrients for subsequent uptake by plant roots. However, the commercialization of biofertilizers and biochar is still restricted due to lacking of inoculants' field efficacy and consistency. For ensuring green, environment-friendly sustainable agriculture development, efficient formulation technologies are needed to maintain the viability of microbial inoculants during storage, transportation and field application. This review systematically summarizes the beneficial effects of biochar and biofertilizers combined fertilization (BioComFert) as a viable alternative leading to increased crop production and enhancing stress tolerance. Finally, future perspectives are proposed to strengthen research on plant-microbe interactions for promoting biochar and biofertilizers combined fertilization in modern agriculture.