Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Soybean Cultivation Fertilized with Biochar from Various Utility Plants

Abstract

Organic matter is an indispensable element of soil. Its quantity and quality affect its properties, e.g., structure, buffering, sorption capacity, air–water relations, and thermal properties. The purpose of the research was to assess greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in soybean cultivation, fertilized with biochar from various crops. Two experimental factors were included: the dose of biochar and the type of biochar used as per raw material used in its production. The adopted functional unit was 1 ton of soybeans. To reach the adopted goal, a strict field experiment was carried out. The total amount of GHG emitted by the cultivation was calculated according to the ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards. The system boundaries included: GHG emissions from fertilizers and seeds used, GHG emissions related to biochar production, emissions related to fossil fuel combustion, and emissions related to the decomposition of crop residues and soil organic matter and the decomposition of biochar. The results of the research indicate a significant potential of biochar to reduce GHG emissions in agricultural production. From the environmental and production perspective, the addition of biochar at 60 Mg ha−1 is the most advantageous. A further increase in the addition of biochar was related to a decrease in plant yield and an increase in GHG emissions per functional unit of the product. The use of biochar in soybean cultivation resulted in a 25% reduction in GHG emissions compared to the object without the biochar addition. The amount of GHG emissions for soybeans ranged from 846.9 to 1260.1 kg of CO2/Mg. The use of biochar from forest biomass resulted in a higher yield, 12% on average, compared to sunflower husk biochar. The introduction of biochar to soils can be an effective improvement in the economic and environmental efficiency of plant production, as it increases the use of nutrients by the plant and intensifies carbon sequestration in soils.

Project Environment and Outlook within the Scope of Technologically Integrated European Green Deal in EU and Ukraine

“…To date, the implementation of these functions is entrusted to biological assets. However, it should be noted that, despite the joint purpose of assets and capital in terms of ability to create economic benefits, we cannot ignore the definition of a hallmark of biological capital-the ability to recover [23][24][25][26][27].…”

“…When an asset acquires the ability to produce and accumulate economic or other benefits, it becomes capital, which is not only an independent factor of production, but also able to create additional value (self-reproduction). In addition, only that part of capital that has the ability to self-renew acquires a biological (living) form [23][24][25][26][27].…”

“…Biological capital is a self-increasing and self-renewing value, which, as a result of (in the course of) biological transformations, provides an opportunity to obtain an additional unit of economic, social and/or environmental benefits. The biological capital of the agro-industrial enterprise includes agricultural land, live animals and plants (biological assets), manufactured products and assimilation potential, which reflects the ability to self-reproduce [23][24][25][26][27]. Belonging to the assimilation potential is due to a disregard for the anthropogenic impact of human activities on the environment and the depletion of natural capital, which led not only to the threat of environmental catastrophe and reduced food security, but also the decline in the economy as a whole.…”

“…Sources of pollution can be harmful substances introduced into the soil, noncompliance with crop rotations, use of heavy machinery that destroys the soil structure, and irrational use of resources, an imbalance of foraging, animal and plant diseases, and more. However, it should be noted that the potential of agricultural enterprises differs due to differences in geographical location, natural and climatic conditions, and the level of the availability of biological resources and opportunities for their continuous quality improvement [23][24][25][26][27][28].…”

Effects of Biochar on the Fluorescence Spectra of Water-Soluble Organic Matter in Black Soil Profile after Application for Six Years

“…There have been many studies on BC and N application rates [ 20 ]. Some researchers have analyzed the composition and structure of DOM in various BC feedstocks, straw BC produced at different pyrolysis temperatures, as well as the effects of fresh and aged BC on the behavior of herbicide mesotrione and the effect of BC on accumulation characteristics of DOM in substrate soil [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ].…”