*3.1.1 Biochar as a soil amendment*

The burning issues as food security, climate change, declining soil fertility and profitability act as incentives behind the introduction of latest technologies of new farming systems. To reduce the risk of pollutant transfer to waters or receptor organisms in proximity, the amendment of soils for their remediation has proven a significant role.. In this context, the organic material such as biochar may serve as a popular choice owing to its biological source and direct application to soils with little pre-treatment. The two things which make biochar amendment superior to other organic materials are high stability against decay so that it can last for longer times in soil providing long-term benefits and high capability to retain the nutrients. Biochar amendment also play a significant role in improving soil quality by increasing moisture-holding capacity, soil pH, cation-exchange capacity and microbial flora [18]. The addition of biochar to the soil has shown the increase in availability of basic cations as well as in concentrations of phosphorus and total nitrogen [19, 20]. Another valuable property of biochar is suppression of emissions of greenhouse gases in soil. Due to the presence of calcium compounds, as well as improved physico-chemical and biological properties of soil, application of biochars and biochar amended composts is advocated to control the diseases caused by fungi and bacteria in soil. Bio-char can also adsorb pesticides, nutrients, and minerals in the soil, preventing the movement of these chemicals into surface water or groundwater and the subsequent degradation of these waters from agricultural activity.
