Pyrolysis Liquids and Their Applications in Agriculture
Summary
Pyrolysis liquids, also known as pyroligneous acids or bio-oils, are aqueous condensates produced during the thermal decomposition of biomass under oxygen-limited conditions. These complex mixtures, rich in organic acids, phenolic compounds, furans and ketones, have garnered interest for their multifunctional roles in sustainable agriculture. Their acidity and array of bioactive constituents can enhance soil nutrient availability, modulate microbial communities and influence plant physiological responses. Applications range from soil amendment to the targeted delivery of natural herbicidal, fungicidal and insecticidal activities, offering a bio-based alternative to synthetic agrochemicals. Moreover, specific fractions can act as urease inhibitors, slowing urea hydrolysis and mitigating nitrogen losses, while others function as biostimulants that bolster crop growth, stress tolerance and antioxidant capacity. The valorisation of pyrolysis liquids aligns with circular economy principles by turning waste biomass into value-added inputs, reducing chemical footprints and supporting resilient agricultural systems. Current research is elucidating their modes of action, optimising formulation and application strategies, and assessing environmental safety to facilitate wider adoption across diverse agronomic contexts.
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Pyrolysis Liquids and Their Applications in Agriculture publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in pyrolysis liquids and their applications in agriculture across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Pyrolysis liquid: A complex mixture of aqueous condensates obtained from the thermal decomposition of biomass in low-oxygen conditions, containing organic acids, phenolics and other volatile compounds.
Wood vinegar: The aqueous fraction of pyrolysis liquid, characterised by high acetic acid and phenolic content, used as a biostimulant, herbicide or pesticide in agriculture.
Biostimulant: A substance that, when applied to plants or soils, enhances nutrition efficiency, abiotic stress tolerance and crop quality without acting as a conventional fertiliser.
Urease inhibitor: A compound that suppresses the enzyme urease, slowing urea hydrolysis in soil to reduce ammonia volatilisation and improve nitrogen use efficiency.
Phenolic compounds: Aromatic organic molecules bearing hydroxyl groups, responsible for many of the bioactive properties of pyrolysis liquids, including antioxidant and herbicidal activities.
References
- Boosting the resilience to drought of crop plants using wood distillate: A pilot study with lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Plant Stress (2024).
- Water-Soluble Pyrolysis Products as Novel Urease Inhibitors Safe for Plants and Soil Fauna. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering (2023).
- Composition, Ageing and Herbicidal Properties of Wood Vinegar Obtained through Fast Biomass Pyrolysis. Energies (2020).
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