Researchers have developed and tested a process-based model called DLEM-Ag-Biochar that predicts how biochar affects crop yields, soil organic carbon, and CO2 emissions under different conditions. The model was validated against data from 48 field sites across 12 countries, covering four climate zones and six cropping systems. It achieved R-squared values of 0.78 for yield, 0.72 for soil carbon, and 0.91 for CO2 emissions. Biochar is not a one-size-fits-all solution. The model performed best in tropical and temperate climates, on medium-textured soils, and at medium application rates for yield predictions. Higher rates worked better for predicting soil carbon and emissions. The tool can help farmers and policymakers decide where and how much biochar to apply for climate-smart agriculture. Long-term field data remain limited, especially across diverse climates and soils. More monitoring will improve model accuracy and real-world usefulness. This study was published in Biochar and led by researchers at Shenyang Agricultural University.
