摘要：

Char(coal) and the broader term black carbon (that includes soot) has long been recognized as a normal environmental (including soil) constituent resulting from fire and industrial activities. Charcoal carbon can naturally make up as much as 35% of total organic carbon in U.S. agricultural soils. This chapter will provide an overview of biochar production technology with a particular emphasis on different structural components of biochar: labile and recalcitrant carbon and ash. Discussions will focus on (1) feedstock heterogeneity and operational variables that pose challenges for farmers to produce biochars having a consistent quality and (2) specific local needs of producers, e.g., scale of operation, available biomass, soil type, and local climate. Recommendations will be given on localized, site-specific, case-by-case biochar utilization based on the purpose of biochar application appropriate for the soil property, locally availability feedstock, and socioeconomic situations.

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