Biochar, chemical characterization, nutrient effects, dynamics and preliminary plant growth tests Munoo Prasad 1,3 *, Nikos Tzortzakis 2 , Nicola McDaniel 3 1 Compost/AD Research & Advisory (IE, CY), Naas, Ireland 2 Department of Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology and Food Science, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, 3603, Cyprus 3 Bord na Mona Research Centre, Main Street, Newbridge, Ireland
Biochar; a carbonaceous solid product of pyrolysis Few material that actively removes carbon from the atmosphere Suitable for a range of agricultural e.g. animal feed, environmental e.g. filter and horticultural e.g. growing media
Peat Peat is often the main component of growing media in Europe 40 million m3 is mined almost all in northern Europe. However the mining releases huge amounts of GHG. Peat is the standard by which other growing media is judged. But peat lands are important as C sink, source of biodiversity, affects local hydrology etc. Biochar can replace peat at least partly and this is particularly attractive in S. Europe Very little published work on the use of biochar as a component of a growing media
Objectives • Chemically characterize 4 commercial biochar and compare them with peat • Effect of biochar addition on pH, EC and extractable nutrients on peat biochar mixtures and nutrient dynamics • Effect of addition of biochar to peat on germination and root length, and short term plant growth as evidenced by biomass. • Effect of addition of biochar to peat on nutrient content of plants grown in peat/biochar mixtures. • Evaluate CEN tests currently used for growing media as to its suitability for peat biochar mixtures
Some para Som rameters rs of of biochar biochars and and pea peat pH EC K OUR mmol O 2 Matrials –1 OM hour kg ( μ S/cm) (mg/L) A 6.58 55 25 1.1 B 9.55 410 671 2.6 C 9.51 638 990 2.3 D 9.51 652 891 4.4 Peat(No 3.53 34 8 5.5 Fert.)
Ef Effect of of biochar biochar addition ddition on on pH pH of of pea peat ‐ bi biochar ochar mi mixtur ures es
Ef Effect of of biochar biochar addition addition on on electric electrical al conduct nductivi vity ty of of pea peat ‐ biochar biochar mi mixtur ures
Ef Effect of of biochar biochar addition ddition on on nitr nitrate ca capt pture in in pea peat ‐ biochar biochar mixtur tures
Ef Effect of of biochar biochar addition ddition on on ex extracta table P in in pea peat ‐ bi biochar ochar mixtur ixtures
Ef Effect of of ro root le length in in pea peat ‐ biochar biochar mixtur tures in in co comp mparison to to pea peat
Ef Effect of of bi biochar ochar addi dditi tion on on on plan plant heigh height over over tim time in in re relation to to pea peat
Ef Effect of of bi biochar ochar addi dditi tion on on on lea leaf N co conte ntent
Ef Effect of of bi biochar ochar addi dditi tion on on on lea leaf P co conte ntent
Ef Effect of of bi biochar ochar addi dditi tion on on on lea leaf K c K content
Ef Effect of of bi biochar ochar addi dditi tion on on on lea leaf Zn Zn co conte ntent
Conclusion Conclusion • All four commercial biochar/peat mixtures improved plant growth relative to 100% peat as evidenced by germination, root length and biomass yield. However some performed better than others. • The addition of biochar led to a decrease in Electrical Conductivity and nitrate content(“nitrate capture”). These results are very significant in so far as EC of most non ‐ peat constituents derived from waste is the limiting factor in their use as growing media. The ability of biochar to act as anion exchanger has implication for reduction of pollution in intensive cropping e.g. horticulture • The generally higher pH and higher K indicates the need for lower rates of liming in peat/ biochar mixtures and thus saving in K fertilizer and limestone • All four biochar showed greater biological stability than peat indicating greater C sequestration than compost or peat when it ultimately end in soil.
Ackno Acknowledg ledgem emen ents ts • Thanks are due to Austin Lanham, Dearbhail Ni Chualain and Colman Hynes of Bord na Mona for their help.
Ef Effect of of biochar biochar addition addition on on to tomato mato plan plant we weight ht in in re relation to to pea peat
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