The potential use of biochar in the Midwest, United

The gap

Evidence profile

Sourced from the future work and future-work section and conclusions and abstract of the source papers, classified as general, drawn from work published between 2022 and 2026, spanning 8 journals. Those papers have been cited 247 times in total.

Supporting evidence — 8 representative gaps

• Recent trends and economic significance of modified/functionalized biochars for remediation of environmental pollutants (2024) · Scientific Reports · cited 168× · doi

  Based on the above discussion, multiple modifications/engineering strategies have been employed to improve the physicochemical and biological properties of biochar. The multiple-functionalized biochars have been successfully utilized for the remediation of soil and aquatic systems contaminated by various pollutants. The specific attributes of multiple-modified biochar including the appearance of new functional groups, enhanced surface area, and greater electron transport capability are amongst the main factors affecting the remediation efficiency in multifaceted applications.

  generalfuture workevidence 5/5
  Keywords: multiple biochar functionalized remediation based discussion modifications engineering strategies employed improve physicochemical biological properties biochars
• What's causing the biochar adoption gap? Practitioner reflections on perceived barriers and opportunities among smallholder farmers in Southeast Asia (2026) · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · doi

  Future research should investigate the potential of biochar for improving soil health and climate change mitigation. Studies should examine the effectiveness of targeted and intensive horticultural applications of biochar. Research should explore the development of aggregation models to promote equitable access to biochar.

  generalfuture-work sectionevidence 5/5
  Keywords: future research investigate potential biochar improving soil health
• Conventional and microwave-assisted pyrolysis biochars: comparative mechanistic insights, structural evolution, and environmental remediation applications (2026) · Biochar · cited 1× · doi

  Future research should focus on sustainable scale-up, multifunctional biochars, regeneration, and field validation to establish biochar as a cost-effective tool for waste valorization and environ- mental remediation.

  generalconclusionsevidence 4/5
  Keywords: future focus sustainable scale multifunctional biochars regeneration field validation establish biochar cost effective tool waste
• Biochar produced from waste‐based feedstocks: Mechanisms, affecting factors, economy, utilization, challenges, and prospects (2024) · GCB Bioenergy · cited 74× · doi

  Given its widespread use in carbon sequestration, soil remediation, wastewater purification, and organic waste composting, the mechanisms of biochar production in environmental usage need to be investigated.

  generalabstractevidence 4/5
  Keywords: given widespread carbon sequestration soil remediation wastewater purification organic waste composting mechanisms biochar production environmental
• Physicochemical characterization of pig manure and its carbonaceous derivatives: Climate and sustainability impacts (2025) · Die Bodenkultur Journal of Land Management Food and Environment · doi

  However, the results from some of the selected studies on biochar properties and its production protocols were poorly characterized, which may be a major drawback for generalizing results.

  generalabstractevidence 4/5
  Keywords: selected biochar properties production protocols poorly characterized major drawback generalizing
• Editorial: Recent advances in biochar synthesis for remediation of soil contamination (2026) · Frontiers in Soil Science · doi

  The papers in this Research Topic point to several shared messages. First, feedstock selection and modification methods are central to biochar performance. Cotton straw, invasive plant biomass, and traditional Chinese medicine residues can all be converted into valuable remediation materials; however, their properties depend on the production and treatment processes. Second, biochar performance should be interpreted through mechanisms rather than only through removal efficiency. The pore structure, surface chemistry, ion exchange, redox activity, dissolved organic matter release, and soil solution chemistry all affect remediation outcomes. Third, the field is becoming increasingly interdisciplinary. It now connects soil science, environmental chemistry, materials engineer- ing, spectroscopy, agronomy, and artificial intelligence. Despite these advances, several challenges remain. More long- term field studies are needed to test whether promising laboratory results can be maintained under real soil conditions. Biochar aging, wet-dry cycles, plant root activity, microbial processes, and coex- isting ions may alter the behavior of biochar after application. Standardized characterization and testing methods are also needed to compare biochars prepared from different feedstocks and at different pyrolysis temperatures. Future studies should also consider both the benefits and possible risks, including contaminant immo- bilization, nutrient cycling, dissolved organic matter release, green- house gas emissions, crop response, and life-cycle impacts. Overall, this Research Topic shows that biochar-based remedi- ation is becoming more precise and application-oriented. The collected studies move the field toward engineered, mechanism- guided, and context-specific solutions for contaminated and de- graded soils. By linking material design with soil processes and environmental safety, they provide useful guidance for future research and practical remediation. We thank all contributing authors, reviewers, and the Frontiers editorial team for their valuable support in developing this Research Topic.

  generalfuture workevidence 4/5
  Keywords: biochar soil topic remediation processes chemistry several performance plant valuable materials activity dissolved organic matter
• A Midwest Perspective on Biochar Integration in Extension (2024) · Journal of Human Sciences and Extension · cited 1× · doi

  Despite the potential use of biochar in the Midwest, United States, few studies have examined biochar in Extension.

  generalabstractevidence 3/5
  Keywords: biochar despite potential midwest united states examined extension
• Vermicompost and Rice Husk Biochar Interaction Ameliorates Nutrient Uptake and Yield of Green Lettuce Under Soilless Culture (2022) · Journal of Horticultural Research · cited 3× · doi

  However, the ideal proportion of biochar in the substrates combined with the use of vermicompost for high yields has not been thoroughly studied.

  generalabstractevidence 3/5
  Keywords: ideal proportion biochar substrates combined vermicompost high yields thoroughly studied

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