Biochar from date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) residues—a critical review

Abstract

Biochar, a carbon rich organic amendment, derived from organic biomass by pyrolysis under high-temperature and zero oxygen condition, is a soil amendment to enrich soil with essential nutrients. Biochar is multidimensional in its benefits, including increase in soil carbon sequestration, reduction in green house emission, improved soil fertility, and prolonged soil moisture retention capability to overcome drought. Biochar can be produced from a wide array of biological residues, contributed by plants as well as animals. Date palm a common plant in Gulf region, leave enormous quantity of residues, which are disposed or burnt as waste in farms, that acts as a source of pollution in date-producing nations. The residual biomass from dates is utilized in cattle feed production in some countries. Disposing these residues without harming the environment is a challenge and the perfect solution is biochar. Based on the unique abatement potential of biochar and its functions to improve soil health and soil carbon sequestration, biochar can be considered as long-term agriculture adaptation strategy. This comprehensive review highlights the production of biochar from date palm biomass, the influence of different date palm parts in biochar production, and their potential benefits to the community. It is realized that the knowledge of biochar from date palm residues is still in its infancy which requires concerted efforts to educate the date palm farming community to utilize the valuable biomass from date palm for transformation to a nutritious and eco-friendly product, biochar.

Co-Pyrolysis of Date Palm Waste and Salicornia Bigelovii: Insights for Bioenergy Development in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions

“…In contrast, bio-oils from S. bigelovii seedless, date palm waste, and other lignocellulosic biomass are acidic with a pH below 6, similar to values reported in the literature for bio-oils from woody biomass or general agricultural waste. 17 , 28 , 41 Due to their lipid-rich nature, Salicornia seeds produce bio-oils with a pH equal to or greater than 6. 17 The aqueous phases of the co-feed bio-oils have a high-water content of approximately 71–72%.…”

“…The literature indicated the promising utilization 23 of the pyrolysis yields in bioenergy production, 14,23−26 carbon sequestration, 25,27,28 and soil enhancement. 28,29 Despite their potential for bioenergy applications, there is limited literature on the transformation of date palm waste through pyrolysis 30 and Salicornia as co-feed.…”

“…The literature indicated the promising utilization 23 of the pyrolysis yields in bioenergy production, 14,23−26 carbon sequestration, 25,27,28 and soil enhancement. 28,29 Despite their potential for bioenergy applications, there is limited literature on the transformation of date palm waste through pyrolysis 30 and Salicornia as co-feed. One study reported results on co-feeding date palm waste and Salicornia but this was only focused on deriving the pyrolysis kinetics through the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) analysis.…”

“…The literature indicated the promising utilization 23 of the pyrolysis yields in bioenergy production, 14 , 23 − 26 carbon sequestration, 25 , 27 , 28 and soil enhancement. 28 , 29 …”

Enhancing soil resilience and crop physiology with biochar application for mitigating drought stress in durum wheat (Triticum durum)

“…The chlorophyll pigments ( a and b ) also increase with biochar application, and the combined effect of DS and biochar further enhances the formation of these pigments. Biochar serves as an important source of various essential elements needed for chlorophyll composition, including nitrogen and magnesium [ 70 ]. These elements accumulate in response to both DS and biochar application rates, leading to improved plant nutrition and enhanced photosynthetic activity [ 71 ].…”