Synergisms between Compost and Biochar for Sustainable Soil Amelioration
resources, i.e. fossil fuels, fossil nutrients stocks and arable land, can be recognized.On the other hand, urbanization and growing population interconnected with an increased amount of waste output is responsible for environmental hazards and pollution.Therefore, composting became an efficient means of waste processing, soil amelioration and general environmental improvement.However, up to now reported C sequestration potential due to compost management is limited in terms of C use efficiency and long-term C preservation even combined with organic farming and no till management.Therefore, new concepts for C sequestration combating against further raise of atmospheric CO 2 emissions are urgently needed.One promising option is using the "terra preta concept" combining biochar and composting technologies.This concept could enhance quality and material properties of compost products leading to a higher added value and to a much better C sequestration potential due to the long-term stability of biochar.We hypothesize that composting of biochar together with other biogenous materials containing labile organic matter and nutrients can be an appropriate tool to produce a substrate with similar properties as terra preta such as enhanced soil fertility and C sequestration.Current available literature will be reviewed on these aspects.