Abstract

Fruit crop production and its quality are facing serious challenges due to declining soil health and depletion of soil organic carbon in perennial orchards. Repurposing horticultural waste into biochar, a carbon-rich soil amendment has the potential to provide a sustainable approach for nutrient management. This mini-review draws attention to recent advances in biochar production through the conversion of crop residues and their synergistic integration with organic amendments (e.g., vermicompost, jaggery, neem cake, cow urine and microbial activators). The application of various organic amendments plays a vital role in improving soil health and enhancing fruit quality in a sustainable manner. In this minireview, providing a comprehensive review paper after critically analyzing and synthesizing findings from existing research literature which provides substantial evidence of these amendments such as biochar improves soil aeration, water retention and cation exchange capacity, in addition to promoting carbon sequestration and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Finally, we address key challenges and future directions for adopting biochar-based organic waste valorization in sustainable fruit production.

Keywords:Biochar; Waste valorization; Fruit science; Soil carbon sequestration; Organic farming