Biochar Application in Animal Nutrition

The decreasing food resources are the main factors that negatively affect the increasing population and production capacity around the world. In particular, due to global warming and climate change, the required nutrient resources are limited. This triggers the search for alternative resources in animal production. One of the main problems faced by animal production is the inadequacy of feed resources. In recent years, various alternative feed sources have been found to solve this problem. However, it has only been a solution for nutrition. In recent studies, biochar has been found to be both a feed source and capable of preventing global environmental problems. Biochar is generally a solid by-product with added value, formed because of the thermochemical conversion of waste biomass resulting from industrial, forest, plant and animal production. Biochar; while previously used as litter material in animal production, in recent years it has started to be used as an alternative feed source. It has begun to be used as a food source for many animals species, especially ruminants, monogastrics, poultry and aquaculture. The results of many studies indicate that biochar provides significant improvement in yield and performance characteristics such as meat, milk and eggs. It is most striking features include significantly reducing emissions generated during the breeding of different animals species and increasing environmental sustainability. The aim of this study was to provide information about the use of biochar as an alternative feed source in animal nutrition.