Improvement of physical, chemical and biological properties of aridisol from Botswana by the incorporation of torrefied biomass

Ogura, Tatsuki; Date, Yasuhiro; Masukujane, Masego; Coetzee, Tidimalo; Akashi, Kinya; Kikuchi, Jun

doi:10.1038/srep28011

Cited by 48 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…Furthermore, while the weights of the control pots had returned to their pre-watering levels at four days after water application, the pots that contained soils supplemented with 3%, 5%, and 10% biochar retained 3.3 ± 1.2 g, 16.3 ± 1.2 g, and 42.3 ± 2.1 g more water, respectively. These observations were consistent with those of previous studies [21,55,56] and suggest that the application of jatropha fallen leaf biochar improved the water-holding capacity of the experimental soil. Figure 7.…”

Section: Effects Of Jatropha Fallen Leaf Biochar On Vegetable Growth supporting

confidence: 93%

“…Furthermore, the utilization of jatropha wood biochar as an energy source has been described [17]. The effects of jatropha leaf extracts as a herbal ointment [18], mite [Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus] repellent [19], and therapeutic agent [20] have been studied, and the positive effects of a biochar amendment made from a mixture of jatropha stems and leaves on jatropha seedling growth have been demonstrated [21]. Recently, production of catalytic biocarbons from jatropha biomass has been demonstrated [22,23].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous studies have shown that biochar can contribute to agricultural production through improvement of the soil physicochemical properties [21,27,28] and fertilizing effects [29][30][31], and that the application of biochar derived from wood or organic waste has positive impacts on the growth of many crops, such as rice (Oryza sativa) and maize (Zea mays) [32][33][34]. Biochar derived from fallen leaves has also been investigated for several species-for example, biochars made from the fallen leaves of ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) and maple (Acer spp.)…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Use of Carbonized Fallen Leaves of Jatropha Curcas L. as a Soil Conditioner for Acidic and Undernourished Soil

et al. 2019

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Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.) represents a renewable bioenergy source in arid regions, where it is used to produce not only biodiesel from the seed oil, but also various non-oil biomass products, such as fertilizer, from the seed cake following oil extraction from the seeds. Jatropha plants also generate large amounts of fallen leaves during the cold or drought season, but few studies have examined the utilization of this litter biomass. Therefore, in this study, we produced biochar from the fallen leaves of jatropha using a simple and economical carbonizer that was constructed from a standard 200 L oil drum, which would be suitable for use in rural communities, and evaluated the use of the generated biochar as a soil conditioner for the cultivation of Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla “Fordhook Giant”) as a model vegetable in an acidic and undernourished soil in Botswana. Biochar application improved several growth parameters of Swiss chard, such as the total leaf area. In addition, the dry weights of the harvested shoots were 1.57, 1.88, and 2.32 fold higher in plants grown in soils containing 3%, 5%, and 10% biochar, respectively, compared with non-applied soil, suggesting that the amount of biochar applied to the soil was positively correlated with yield. Together, these observations suggest that jatropha fallen leaf biochar could function as a soil conditioner to enhance crop productivity.

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Section: Effects Of Jatropha Fallen Leaf Biochar On Vegetable Growth supporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Use of Carbonized Fallen Leaves of Jatropha Curcas L. as a Soil Conditioner for Acidic and Undernourished Soil

et al. 2019

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“…Like biochar, torrefied biomass has been predominantly utilized in the coal and energy industry [48] [49]. The recalcitrant torrefied C fraction provides benefits similar to biochar, including enhancing water retention, soil structural stability, soil metabolites, and plant growth promoting microbiota [50].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of Novel Torrefied Biomass and Biochar Amendments

Baldi¹,

Foster²,

Shen³

et al. 2020

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Nutrient management is vital for food, feed, fiber, and fuel production. However, excessive application and loss (volatilization, leaching, runoff , etc.) of inorganic and organic sources of nutrients have detrimental environmental impacts, while increasing prices for petroleum-based and mined fertilizers further limit opportunities for their utilization in developing nations. This study evaluated a novel, alternative type of nutrient source through pretreatment processes of torrefaction and pyrolysis by converting high-biomass feedstocks into renewable soil amendments. Napiergrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach., [cv. Merkeron]) and pearl millet-napiergrass (Pennisetum glaucum [L.] R. Br. × P. purpureum Schumach.) (PMN) were converted under atmospheric pressure with minimal oxygen at 250˚C and 400˚C, ground to 1 millimeter (mm) and 2 mm particle sizes, and compared to urea in a full-season field trial and short-season nursery trial growing maize (Zea mays L.) and PMN for fertility response. When compared to urea in the field trial, the torrefied biomass amendment (TBA) and biochar had similar responses despite lower nitrogen (N) application rates. The nursery trial also produced equivalent responses from urea and TBA regardless of lower N application with the exception being phosphorus (P). Finally, maize and PMN had higher P uptake with the TBA in both trials.

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“…For example, torrefied poultry litter, produced at 300°C, increased radish ( Raphanus sativa ) yield by direct addition of plant-available nutrients [ 12 ]. Recently, it was demonstrated that fertilization with 3 and 5% PC Jatropha curcas torrefied at 240°C enhanced initial plant growth, nutrient uptake, water retention and structural stability of the soil [ 13 ]. However, torrefied amendments can have high salinity concentrations and have been shown to reduce plant growth, especially at very high application rates (91 Mg ha -1 ) [ 7 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Getting to the root of the matter: Water-soluble and volatile components in thermally-treated biosolids and biochar differentially regulate maize (Zea mays) seedling growth

et al. 2018

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The use of thermally treated biomass, including biochar, as soil amendments can improve soil fertility by providing nutrients, stable C and improving soil water-holding capacity. However, if the degree of carbonization is low, these soil amendments can lower crop productivity as a result of high salinity or organic compounds. The overall effect of these soil amendments is mediated by complex relationships between production conditions, soil properties and environmental conditions. This study aimed to 1) characterize the physiochemical properties and organic compounds released by three soil amendments (softwood biochar or pyrogenic carbonaceous biosolids), 2) determine the effects of these amendments on maize (Zea mays) seedling productivity, and 3) relate properties of these amendments to effects on maize seedling productivity under controlled environment conditions. Physicochemical properties and mobile organic compounds (water-soluble and volatile organic compounds were determined. The amendments were tested in maize germination and greenhouse experiments. Chemical fingerprinting of volatile and water-soluble compounds revealed over 100 mobile organic species. Increasing treatment temperature from 270 to 320°C reduces phytotoxicity of pyrogenic carbonaceous biosolids soil amendments. Water-soluble components of pyrogenic carbonaceous biosolids produced at 270°C (inorganic N, Na and/or organic compounds) were associated with reduced maize seedling productivity. Volatile components of pyrogenic carbonaceous biosolids produced at 320°C were associated with improved maize seedling productivity; nitrogen uptake was increased in spite of smaller root systems as a result of increased mineralization of soil or amendment N and/or uptake of organic N compounds. These results suggest that pyrogenic carbonaceous biosolids have potential benefits to provide plant nutrients when the amount of organic and inorganic species are limited during early growth stages, under greenhouse conditions. Future studies should examine these effects under field conditions to confirm whether controlled environment results translate into effects on yield.

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Improvement of physical, chemical and biological properties of aridisol from Botswana by the incorporation of torrefied biomass

Cited by 48 publications

References 51 publications

Use of Carbonized Fallen Leaves of Jatropha Curcas L. as a Soil Conditioner for Acidic and Undernourished Soil

Use of Carbonized Fallen Leaves of Jatropha Curcas L. as a Soil Conditioner for Acidic and Undernourished Soil

Characterization of Novel Torrefied Biomass and Biochar Amendments

Getting to the root of the matter: Water-soluble and volatile components in thermally-treated biosolids and biochar differentially regulate maize (Zea mays) seedling growth

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