Abstract:The carbon-based fertilizer, a new type of slow-release fertilizer made from compounding process of traditional fertilizer and biochar carrier, has been widely recognized in role of improving crop production and preventing non-point source pollution. Based on comprehensive analysis of author’s research experience and the literature summary in past few years, the research background and application significance of the fertilizer as well as its potential synergistic mechanisms were successively expounded. The mechanisms included: withholding and slow-releasing mineral nutrients; improving soil physical structure and chemical property, and regulating soil moisture, nutrient, vapor, and heat condition for root growth; improving microenvironment for soil microbial growth; and providing mineral nutrients and bio-stimulating substances for plants. Furthermore, the application values of the fertilizer were summarized from three aspects: improving crop’s yield and quality, enhancing the fertilizer use efficiency and help reducing fertilizer inputs, and preventing and controlling environmental pollution. Additionally, recent advances in the fertilizer’s research and development process were also summarized from four aspects: preparation process (changing feedstock of biochar carrier, and biochar-traditional fertilizer mixing method); forming process (determination of shape, screening of adhesives and extenders); formulation process (adjusting traditional fertilizer’s composition, and blending ratio of biochar, water and adhesives); and modification process (adding different proportions of kaolin, bentonite, coal humic acid and their binary or ternary complex). According to the existing problems and technical needs, it can be concluded that the main directions in this research field in the near future would be to enhance the research and development of new products and their applied basic research; strengthen the research into their agricultural soil and water effects, economics, environmental impacts, and comprehensive evaluation index system at large-scale application; and speed up application technology popularization.