Abstract: Biochar is a material derived from high temperature pyrolysis of biomass materials in anaerobic or anoxic conditions.The physical and chemical properties of the biochar are relevant to the matrix,pyrolysis temperature,pyrolysis time and the content of oxygen.Overall,biochar is difficult to be degraded by microbe due to its aromatic structure.It could exist in the soil for a long time,increase the soil carbon stock and suppress the emission of greenhouse gases CH₄ and N₂O,therefore,biochar is considered to be one of the effective measures to solve the greenhouse effect.Biochar has a nature of high CEC,weak alkaline,low density and high C/N ratio,which could be used as soil amendment to improve the physical and chemical properties of the soil and to increase soil water-holding and nutrient-retention capacity.Moreover,biochar has porous structure,large specific surface area,some easily decomposed carbon and nitrogen sources,which provids a favorable habitat for soil microorganisms,increases soil microbial diversity and promots the growth of mycorrhizal bacteria.Biochar is not a new material,but it has new uses.The future prospects of the biochar research are also pointed in this paper.