A new study in Biochar reveals that nitrogen-fortified nanobiochar could significantly improve soil fertility and rice yields while reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers. Researchers from Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, India, found that combining a reduced nitrogen fertilizer dose with nanobiochar enhanced both soil properties and crop performance in nitrogen-deficient soils.
Nanobiochar, biochar particles engineered at the nanoscale, has attracted attention for its porous structure, high surface area, and ability to retain and slowly release nutrients. When fortified with nitrogen, it acts as a “smart” soil amendment that improves nutrient availability and water retention, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional fertilizers.
The team tested twelve treatments in a pot experiment with basmati rice, comparing full and partial doses of mineral nitrogen fertilizer with varying rates of nitrogen-fortified nanobiochar (1, 2.5, and 5 kilograms per hectare). The best performance was achieved with 75 percent of the recommended fertilizer dose combined with 5 kilograms per hectare of nanobiochar. This treatment increased soil moisture, infiltration rate, and aggregate stability by up to 42 percent compared with conventional fertilization.
Soil organic carbon and available nitrogen, ammonium, and nitrate levels also rose markedly, enhancing root growth and nutrient uptake. Root weight, length, and volume increased by 24.6, 15.8, and 18.7 percent, respectively, while grain yield climbed by 26.8 percent compared to the same fertilizer rate without nanobiochar. The study found strong positive correlations between yield and soil physical and chemical properties, confirming the role of nanobiochar in improving soil structure and nutrient dynamics.
Beyond boosting productivity, the researchers highlight environmental advantages. “Incorporating nitrogen-fortified nanobiochar allows farmers to cut fertilizer use without sacrificing yield, which could lower greenhouse gas emissions and nutrient losses,” said lead author Aakash Kumar Saini. “It also transforms agricultural residues such as rice husk into high-value soil amendments, closing the loop for sustainable farming.”
The findings suggest that integrating engineered nanobiochar with moderate fertilizer inputs could strengthen soil health, enhance crop resilience, and support climate-smart agriculture in regions struggling with nutrient depletion and fertilizer overuse.
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Journal Reference: Saini, A.K., Abrol, V., Sharma, P. et al. Nitrogen-fortified nanobiochar impacts soil properties, root growth and basmati rice yield. Biochar 7 , 102 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-025-00503-w
About Biochar
Biochar 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.
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Nitrogen-fortified nanobiochar impacts soil properties, root growth and basmati rice yield
1-Sep-2025