OICC Press International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture 2251-7715 2026 08 05 Comments on “The Effectiveness of Biochar as a Mulch for Weed Control and Soil Moisture Retention in Strawberry Cultivation” 10.57647/ijrowa-2026-17554.le EN Chang Chen https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0788-5019 Journal Article 2026 08 05 (Editorial Summary) This correspondence presents a discussion on the article “The effectiveness of biochar as a mulch for weed control and soil moisture retention in strawberry cultivation.” The Letter to the Editor raises two main points related to the study. First, it highlights the need for more detailed physicochemical characterization of the biochar used, including key properties such as surface area, pore structure, and elemental composition, as well as clearer reporting of the application rate to improve comparability and reproducibility across studies. Second, it emphasizes the importance of improved statistical transparency in the presentation of results, particularly through the inclusion of measures of variability such as error bars in graphical figures. In their response, the authors clarify that the biochar was produced from pine nut shells under defined pyrolysis conditions consistent with their previously published methodologies, which include comprehensive material characterization. They also provide an estimated application rate expressed in mass per unit area while clarifying that the biochar was applied as a surface mulch rather than incorporated into the soil, and therefore the value is intended for comparative interpretation rather than direct equivalence with soil amendment studies. In addition, the authors address the issue of data presentation by providing updated figures including standard error bars and confirming the statistical methods used for analysis. The editorial assessment concludes that the comments raised in the Letter are valid and contribute to improving the clarity, transparency, and reproducibility of the original study. The exchange between the Letter, Authors’ Response, and Editorial Note highlights the importance of detailed methodological reporting and clear data presentation in biochar-based agronomic research.