Aim of this WP is to determine the stability of biochar produced from wood residues in agricultural soils in South Tyrol, determining its potential to increase soil C sequestration and reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions from soil. In particular, the following questions will be addressed:

  1. Which is the stability of biochar produced from wood residues in agricultural soils in South Tyrol?
  2. Can biochar from wood biomass increase C stock of agricultural soils in the long term, increasing the C sequestration potential of agriculture in South Tyrol?
  3. Can biochar from wood biomass significantly contribute to the reduction of GHG emissions from agricultural soils in South Tyrol?

To address the abovementioned questions, field trials will be performed in the same experimental sites and following the experimental design prepared for WP7 and WP8. Biochar decomposition in the experimental field will be assessed using an innovative approach using molecular markers (BPCA), and emissions of the main GHG, (CO2, NH4 and N2O) will be monitored in the fields along all the experimental period. Experimental results will be used for the consequential LCA (WP10).