Open Access

REVIEW

Function of Biochar: Alleviation of Heat Stress in Plants and Improvement of Soil Microbial Communities

Arpita Rani Roy¹, Israt Jahan², Sharah Jabeen Mou², Md. Farhan Hasin³, Prodipto Bishnu Angon^1,*, Rebeka Sultana², Badhon Mazumder⁴, Md. Arif Sakil^5,*

1 Faculty of Agriculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, 2202, Bangladesh
2 Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, 2202, Bangladesh
3 Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, 2202, Bangladesh
4 Department of Textile Engineering, Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology, Dhaka, 1208, Bangladesh
5 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, 2202, Bangladesh

* Corresponding Authors: Prodipto Bishnu Angon. Email: ; Md. Arif Sakil. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Soil Microbes and Abiotic Stress Factors: Impacts on Root Physiology, Crop Growth, and Hormonal Dynamics)

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany 2025, 94(4), 1177-1210. https://doi.org/10.32604/phyton.2025.063675

Received 21 January 2025; Accepted 01 April 2025; Issue published 30 April 2025

Abstract

Global warming is making plants more susceptible to heat stress. Hence, adjustments to crop production systems are required for global food security. Heat stress (HS) poses a threat to the quality of ecosystems and global food security due to its adverse effects on plant development. The degree to which HS affects physiological disruptions, physical harm, and biochemical changes at various growth stages directly correlates with its effects on physiological functions, plant growth, and crop production. One promising approach is soil modification using biochar, which enhances soil health and promotes the development of microbial communities, ultimately improving plant heat tolerance. Biochar enhances soil structure, improves moisture retention, and increases nutrient availability in hot weather, thereby promoting plant growth and enhancing crop yields. Additionally, biochar, with its porous structure and ability to provide a liming effect, increases the diversity and activity of soil microbes, thereby fostering advantageous symbiotic relationships. These microbial communities support nutrient cycling, root growth, and general soil health, strengthening biochar’s position as a long-term solution for climate-resilient farming. Earlier research concentrated on the connection between biochar and heat stress or microbial populations; however, this review uniquely combines all three elements, providing a fresh viewpoint on their interrelated functions in enhancing plant adaptability. Furthermore, this study demonstrates the potential of biochar as a sustainable component for improving soil and supporting crops that adapt to heat stress. It examines the processes underlying these interactions and provides recommendations for future research strategies.

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