[Yield Response of Three Major Staple Crops to Biochar Application].

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Soil Science
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Biochar application is a promising strategy for improving soil health and crop productivity.
• Understanding the factors influencing biochar's efficacy is crucial for optimizing its use in agriculture.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantitatively assess the impact of biochar application on the yield of major global crops (maize, wheat, rice).
• To explore the influence of climatic conditions, soil physicochemical properties, and biochar characteristics on crop yield responses.

Main Methods:

• A meta-analysis was conducted using 192 publications and 1,093 experimental data points.
• Random Forest Model analysis was employed to identify key influencing factors.

Main Results:

• Biochar application increased overall crop yields by 15.6%, with specific increases of 14.4% for maize, 15.5% for wheat, and 16.4% for rice.
• Soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, organic matter, C:N ratio, and biochar's organic carbon and total nitrogen content significantly affected crop yields.
• Biochar cracking temperature had minimal impact on maize and rice yields, while average annual rainfall was less important for wheat yield.

Conclusions:

• Biochar application is an effective method for enhancing the yield of major global crops.
• Soil properties and biochar quality are critical determinants of yield improvement.
• This research provides a basis for the rational application of biochar to promote sustainable agricultural production.