Characterization of Biochar Produced from Different Feed Stocks

Abstract

Imprudently disposed and burning of organic wastes have been causing environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emission. The objective of this study was to characterize the biochar produced from different agricultural wastes to explore its potential use as organic soil amendments. The feedstock derived from each of Eucalyptus globules (EG), Acacia decarance (AD), farm yard manure (FYM) and rice straw (RS) were collected and biochar was produced by slow pyrolysis at 300oC in the furnace. The determination of pH, carbon, phosphorus, cation exchange capacity, electrical conductivity and exchangeable basic cations of individual biochar was performed and statistical analyses carried out to compare the means values obtained. Higher carbon content was observed in biochar produced from AD (65.00%) compared with that of biochar produced from other feedstock types included in this study. pH value of Bbiochar produced from EG and RS were moderately acidic (pH 5.94) and neutral (pH 6.6), respectively, whereas biochar produced from AD (pH 8.07 and FYM (pH 8.17) revealed moderately alkaline pH level. High and low EC values were recorded in biochar produced from FYM (4.70 DS m-1) and the low value from EG (0.68 DS m-1), respectively. The maximum concentration of exchangeable magnesium (20.95%), potassium (16.40%) and sodium (1.77%), EC and phosphorous (2288.75 ppm) were testimony in biochar produced from FYM is potential to prove phosphorus fertilizer requirement of a crop but calcium (39.50%) was from biochar produced from AD. Higher CEC (129.75 cmolc kg-1) was detected in biochar produced from EG followed by biochar produced from RS (127.5 cmolc kg-1), AD (117 cmolc kg-1) and FYM (87.25 cmolc kg-1). Generally, the current finding revealed that biochar from different feedstock’s had different chemical properties, so this difference could contribute for soil fertility improvement as the result agricultural wastes is managed without pollution. But, the current work was limited to the characterization of biochar. So, more detailed investigation on the rate and reclaiming the power of the biochar and other issues should be investigated.