Biochar is a carbon-rich product produced by the slow thermochemical
pyrolysis of biomass materials. Organic wastes, such as livestock
manures, sewage sludge, crop residues and composts are
converted to biochars and then applied to soils as an amendment. In
the past, organic amendments and polymers such as polyacrylamides
were used to improve soil physicochemical properties and
protect soils from erosion. However, the depletion
of soil organic matter and the high cost of PAM application are
serious problems to overcome.