Research Progress on Biochar Application for Continuous Cropping of TCM Plants

As a major country in the world engaging in large-scale cultivation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) plants, China is facing a serious challenge in growth of the industry. Due to malpractices and poor management, undesirable consequences such as productivity decline and quality deterioration, relocation of authentic origins, insufficient resource protection, and uncoordinated material utilization have surfaced. The causes of the ill-effects may not be all clearly identified, nonetheless, rampant continuous cropping is deemed as one of the most urgent targets for correction. A generally alkali material, biochar is commonly applied to amend the soil in question to improve fertility, reduce acidification, and promote growth of the plants cultivated on it. It has been used by farmers in recent years, and the measure could be implemented to mitigate the damaging effects induced by the TCM continuous cropping as well. This article reviewed the benefits of biochar application on soil, such as adjusting the physiochemical properties, microbial community, and allelopathic environment. Some practical treatments for improvements are presented.