Impacts of Sugarcane Biochar on Soil Properties and Mung Bean (Vigna radiata L.) Productivity: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

The increasing pressure on agricultural systems to produce more food sustainably has emphasized the importance of soil health restoration and effective agricultural waste management. Sugarcane bagasse, a fibrous by-product of sugar industries, represents a renewable and underutilized biomass that can be transformed into biochar a carbon-rich material known for its ability to improve soil quality and enhance crop productivity. This review focuses on the impact of sugarcane bagasse-derived biochar on soil physicochemical properties and the growth and yield of mung bean (Vigna radiata L.), a short-duration legume essential for protein security and soil fertility improvement through nitrogen fixation. The article synthesizes current knowledge on biochar production methods (slow pyrolysis, fast pyrolysis, and hydrothermal carbonization), its structural and chemical properties, and its role in soil amendment. Biochar significantly enhances soil pH, cation exchange capacity, water retention, and microbial biomass. These changes improve nutrient retention (N, P, K, and micronutrients), reduce nutrient leaching, and enhance the efficiency of both organic and inorganic fertilizers. In mung bean cultivation, such improvements lead to enhanced germination, nodulation, root growth, biomass accumulation, and seed yield. Furthermore, biochar contributes to long-term carbon sequestration and climate mitigation by stabilizing organic carbon and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The review also explores future directions including the integration of biochar with climate-smart agriculture, use of biochar blends (e.g., compost and nano-biochar), and the importance of field-level validation, site-specific application strategies, and economic feasibility analysis. Overall, sugarcane biochar offers a sustainable, scalable solution to enhance soil fertility and crop productivity, particularly in legume-based farming systems.