June 13-17, 2016: "Biochar for Sustainable Agriculture: Opportunity and Challenge” was the title of a Sino-German symposium on biochar for sustainable agriculture held at Shenyang Agricultural University, China. The symposium was jointly organized by ATB and Shenyang Agricultural University and funded by the Sino-German Center for Research Promotion (SGC).

The aim of the symposium was to intensively exchange knowledge and experience on the production of biochar, on the interactions between product and environment in agricultural context, and on the potential of innovative applications of various biochars.

Alongside scientists of the two impulse-giving research institutes leading biochar experts from other German research institutions and universities took part, inter alia from Göttingen University, TU Berlin, KIT, UFZ, DIW, and ZALF. 

Presentations covered the evaluation of biochar’s effect on soil N and P efficiency, biochar’s capacity for soil carbon sequestration, soil physical quality including water retention after biochar additon, plant growth in the presence of biochar, biochar addition on ameliorating heavy metals and organic pollutants in soils. Hydrothermal process and its application were introduced by German participants. In their concluding speech, the coordinators Dr. Meng and Dr. Meyer-Aurich proposed priorities for collaborate research between China and Germany. It was agreed to develop biochar research in terms of science and industry in respect to the respective specific situation in Germany and China. 

The symposium was held at Shenyang Agricultural University, one of China's top agricultural universities. It was initiated by Dr. Andreas Meyer-Aurich (ATB) and Prof. Jun Meng from Liaoning Biochar Engineering Technology & Research Center (BETRC). 

see also: http://www.sinogermanscience.org.cn/de/aktuelles/de_2017/201707/t20170707_27618.html 

The meeting was funded by the Sino-German Center for Research Promotion (SGC). The Sino-German Center for Research Promotion (SGC) was founded as a joint-venture by German Research Association (DFG) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) in Beijing.