Biochar and Soil Biota

Biochar, a biomass that is burned at very high temperature in theabsence of oxygen, has recently become an interesting subject ofstudy. Biochar is highly stable and does not degrade, it possessesphysical properties that assist in retention of nutrients in the soil.The use of biochar will undoubtedly have a significant impact not onlyon soil nutrients but also on soil organism communities and theirfunctions.This book focuses on how the ecology and biology of soil organisms isaffected by the addition of biochar to soils. It takes into accountdirect and indirect effects of biochar addition to soils, on the soilcarbon cycle, impact on plant resistance to foliar and soilbornedisease, interactions with pathogenic, mycorhizal and saprophyticfungi. The stability of biochar in soil environment is also discussed.Special focus has been put on application of biochar to remediatepolluted soils, taking into account possible toxic effects of biocharon soil fauna. This book will be useful to students and researchers in agronomy,biology, ecology, and environmental managers from both academic aswell as industrial organizations.