The application of biochar to agricultural soils can represent a solution to increase the soil carbon stock. In accordance with Swiss regulation, biochar can be produced from agricultural residues such as straw. Because almost all the commercially available biochar in Switzerland is produced from woody biomass, research on straw-derived biochar is then necessary. In addition, the co-application of ramial wood chips (RWC) and biochar could create a synergy that is currently unknown. The major ambition of this project is:

1. to develop recommendations to optimize the pyrolysis for the production of biochar from crop straw;
2. to test in two field trials (at Reckenholz and Nyon) the agronomic effects of biochar alone and in combination with RWC;
3. to assess the effects on microbial processes and soil organic matter in the field trials;
4. to perform, if external funding will be acquired, a life cycle analysis of the application of biochar and RWC for the Swiss agriculture.

In accordance with the action B-02 of the “Climate and Food Strategy 2050”, our project will elucidate how biochar from agricultural wastes can contribute to the sustainability of Swiss agricultural systems.