Researchers are testing hydrochar, a carbon-rich material made from wet biomass, as a way to improve soil structure and trap carbon in croplands. Unlike traditional biochar or manure, hydrochar combines stable carbon for long-term storage with labile carbon that supports soil microbes. Study results show that hydrochar increases the stability of soil macroaggregates, which protects organic carbon from breaking down. The effectiveness varies by feedstock, with materials like Zanthoxylum stalks and pig manure offering different nutrient and carbon retention benefits.
