The characteristics of biochars and its potential benefits when applied to the land are both influenced by the specific material of the biochar and the processing technique used. Biochars can retain applied fertilizer and nutrients and release them to agronomic crops over time. Biochars’ ability to retain water and nutrients in the surface soil horizons for long periods benefits agriculture by reducing nutrients leaching from the crop root zone, potentially improving crop yields, and reducing fertilizer requirements. Thus, using biochars in production agriculture should improve yields and reduce negative impacts on the environment. A distinction between biochars and composts should be made here for clarity. Biochars differ from composts commonly added to soils for agricultural production in that compost is a direct source of nutrients through further decomposition of organic materials. However, biochars do not decompose with time and so additional applications should not be necessary.