This study aims to investigate the adsorption capacity of ammonium NH4+, nitrite NO2- and nitrate NO3- onto rice husk biochar (RHB) obtained from 550 °C pyrolysis temperature in the context of using low-cost absorbent for recirculating aquaculture system (RAS). Raw RHB at its original size 5–8 mm has been choosen for testing its adsorption capacity as well as several key material properties (pHPZC, surface area, and elemental analysis). From surface functional group analysis, there existed the O–H group (at frequency 3443 cm-1), –CH3 (2360 cm-1), and either –C=O or C=C group (in the range of frequency 1600–1650 cm-1) as well as –COOH (1456 cm‒1) that helped enhance chemical adsorption. The experimental adsorption data has been roughly consistent with Langmuir and Freundlich models that used to calculate the maximum saturated monolayer adsorption capacity Q0max of ammonium, nitrite, and nitrate were 0.1003, 0.2477, and 0.1290 mg/g respectively. Therefore, RHB could be a potential candidate for biofilter application in both targets cost-efficient and sustainable that worth applied at scale.

Rhizobia topic has been re-focused in recent years because of new findings on their traits not only as nitrogen-fixing bacteria but also as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria. When combing rhizobial strains with novel biological carriers (e.g., biochar) for inoculant production, it brings great potential for improving soil health in long-term. Appreciating this trend, this study is designed to isolate and characterize local rhizobial strains from legume fields using the conventional method with some modifications to increase efficiency in rhizobial identification. As a result, 17 rhizobial strains were isolated and classified biochemically that genetic identification outcome confirmed 10 strains belong to 07 different Rhizobium species as R. mayense, R. paknamense, R. pusense, R. miluonense, R. tropici, R. phaseoli, and R. multihospitium while the rest belong to 06 various Bradyrhizobium species as B. elkanii, B. centrosematis, B. guangxiense, B. liaoningense, B. yuanmingense, and B. arachidis. Thermal and saline tolerant tests together with seed germination tests also performed on these rhizobial strains to gain data on their responses to abiotic stresses. By comparing rice and mung bean GI values, we can assess the effectiveness of each rhizobial strains to help seeds at their early germination.