Does biochar improve soil water retention? A systematic review and meta-analysis

• Published in: Geoderma Vol. 361; p. 114055
• Main Authors: Razzaghi, Fatemeh, Obour, Peter Bilson, Arthur, Emmanuel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.03.2020
• Subjects: biochar; Biochar added carbon; Biochar characteristics; Bulk density; carbon; case studies; coarse-textured soils; crop production; Experimental conditions; field capacity; fine-textured soils; meta-analysis; plant available water; soil amendments; soil density; Soil textural classes; soil texture; Soil water content; soil water retention; systematic review; water content; wilting; wilting point; Bulk density; Experimental conditions; Soil textural classes; Biochar added carbon; Biochar characteristics; Soil water content

•We reviewed biochar effect on soil density and water retention parameters.•Biochar significantly increased water content at field capacity for the coarse-textured soils.•Improvement in plant available water content decreased with soil fineness.•‘Biochar carbon added’ parameter is proposed for robus...