A new study has found that innovative liquid biochar-based fertilizers can significantly increase crop yields, improve nutrient efficiency, and deliver strong economic returns, offering a promising pathway toward more sustainable agriculture.
Researchers developed a series of liquid biochar mineral complex fertilizers and tested them in a pasture cropping system. These formulations combine biochar with mineral nutrients in a liquefied form, allowing easier application and faster nutrient availability for plants. The results show that certain formulations, particularly those enriched with nitrogen, dramatically outperform conventional fertilization approaches.
"Developing nutrient-efficient fertilizers is critical for sustaining crop production under increasing environmental pressures," said the study's corresponding author. "Our findings demonstrate that liquid biochar-based fertilizers can enhance both productivity and resource efficiency in real-world farming systems."
Fertilizer inefficiency remains a major challenge in agriculture. It is estimated that up to half of applied nitrogen and the vast majority of phosphorus are not absorbed by crops, instead being lost to the environment through runoff and leaching. These losses not only reduce farm profitability but also contribute to pollution and ecosystem degradation.
The study addressed this issue by designing four different liquid biochar mineral complexes. These included non-enriched formulations, a phosphorus-enriched version, and a nitrogen-enriched formulation. Each was applied in field conditions, both with and without additional conventional fertilizers, to evaluate their effects on plant growth, nutrient uptake, soil properties, and economic performance.
Among all treatments, the nitrogen-enriched liquid biochar fertilizer delivered the strongest results. Pasture yield reached over 42 tons per hectare, more than doubling yields compared to untreated plots and significantly exceeding conventional fertilization.
Importantly, this formulation also achieved positive nitrogen and phosphorus balances, indicating that crops were supplied directly by the fertilizer rather than depleting existing soil nutrient reserves. This is a key indicator of long-term soil sustainability.
The researchers found that other formulations also improved yields, particularly when combined with additional fertilization. However, the nitrogen-enriched product stood out for its ability to deliver high productivity without requiring extra inputs, reducing both labor and cost.
Another notable finding was that the application of these liquid biochar fertilizers did not significantly alter soil microbial communities in the short term. Soil microbes play a crucial role in nutrient cycling and ecosystem health, and maintaining their stability is important for sustainable farming systems.
In addition to agronomic benefits, the study demonstrated strong economic viability. The benefit-cost ratio of the tested products ranged from approximately 1.9 to 2.5, indicating that returns consistently exceeded investment costs. This suggests that liquid biochar fertilizers could offer a financially attractive option for farmers seeking to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
The success of these formulations is partly attributed to their fine particle size and liquid form, which enhance nutrient mobility and availability in the soil. By delivering nutrients directly to the root zone, plants can absorb them more effectively, improving growth and reducing losses.
As global agriculture faces increasing pressure from climate change, soil degradation, and rising input costs, innovations such as liquid biochar fertilizers could play an important role in improving resilience and sustainability.
"Our work highlights the potential of biochar-based technologies to transform fertilizer use," the authors noted. "With further development and adoption, these systems could help farmers produce more with fewer inputs while protecting soil health."
The findings point toward a future where advanced, biochar-enhanced fertilizers support both high productivity and environmental stewardship across a wide range of cropping systems.
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Journal Reference: Omidvar, N., Joseph, S., Dissanayake, L. et al. Distinct forms of liquid biochar mineral complex fertilisers differently increase crop yield, nutrient balance and economic return. Biochar 8, 94 (2026).
https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-026-00600-4
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About Biochar
Biochar (e-ISSN: 2524-7867) is the first journal dedicated exclusively to biochar research, spanning agronomy, environmental science, and materials science. It publishes original studies on biochar production, processing, and applications—such as bioenergy, environmental remediation, soil enhancement, climate mitigation, water treatment, and sustainability analysis. The journal serves as an innovative and professional platform for global researchers to share advances in this rapidly expanding field.
