Abstract

The replant disease refers to abnormal crop growth caused by continuous cultivation of the same or related species on the same soil, and often occurring in crops and orchards. Recently, replant disease have become a major factor constraining the sustainable development of global agriculture and fruit trees. The causes of replant disease include biological and abiotic factors, but in the final analysis, they are caused by changes in the soil environment. Soil environment is closely related to soil productivity. A decline of soil quality results in poor crop growth and reduced yield. The causes of soil environment changes mainly include intensive soil tillage, rapid industrialization, soil pollution, destruction of soil micro-ecosystem and substances secreted by plants under replant condition. Biochar, a porous carbon material prepared from pyrolysis of biomass (agricultural waste, etc.), is widely used as an amendment and adsorbent. To understand the role of biochar in alleviating replant disease, we summarized the previous research results of biochar application in replant soil. The following points are summarized: (1) soil problems and their effects on plants; (2) effects of biochar on replant soil environment; and (3) effects of biochar on alleviating replant disease. Overall, the literature suggests that biochar is an effective measure to amendment soil environment and alleviates replant disease. Further studies on biochar will enhance our understanding of biochar–soil interactions, and its long-term impact of biochar on soil environment.