Abstract
The effects of two types of biochar on corn production in the Mediterranean climate during the growing season were analyzed. The two types of biochar were obtained from pyrolysis of Pinus pinaster. B1 was fully pyrolyzed with 55.90% organic carbon, and B2 was medium pyrolyzed with 23.50% organic carbon. B1 and B2 were supplemented in the soil of 20 plots (1 m2) at a dose of 4 kg/m2. C1 and C2 (10 plots each) served as control plots. The plots were automatically irrigated and fertilizer was not applied. The B1-supplemented plots exhibited a significant 84.58% increase in dry corn production per square meter and a 93.16% increase in corn wet weight (p << 0.001). Corn production was no different between B2-supplemented, C1, and C2 plots (p > 0.01). The weight of cobs from B1-supplemented plots was 62.3%, which was significantly higher than that of cobs from C1 and C2 plots (p < 0.01). The grain weight increased significantly by 23% in B1-supplemented plots (p < 0.01) and there were no differences between B2-supplemented, C1, and C2 plots. At the end of the treatment, the soil of the B1-supplemented plots exhibited increased levels of sulfate, nitrate, magnesium, conductivity, and saturation percentage. Based on these results, the economic sustainability of this application in agriculture was studied at a standard price of €190 per ton of biochar. Amortization of this investment can be achieved in 5.52 years according to this cost. Considering the fertilizer cost savings of 50% and the water cost savings of 25%, the amortization can be achieved in 4.15 years. If the price of biochar could be reduced through the CO2 emission market at €30 per ton of non-emitted CO2, the amortization can be achieved in 2.80 years. Biochar markedly improves corn production in the Mediterranean climate. However, the amortization time must be further reduced, and enhanced production must be guaranteed over the years with long term field trials so that the product is marketable or other high value-added crops must be identified.
Highlights
Pyrolysis, a thermochemical degradation process performed in the absence of oxygen, is currently widely considered a viable option for waste treatment and generation of bioproducts [1]
One strategy for the management of these residues involves subjecting them to fast pyrolysis, which results in the production of the following four types of products: an aqueous fraction called wood vinegar; a heavy organic fraction called bio-bitumen; a light organic fraction known as bio-oil; a solid fraction called biochar
The other variables were not different between the two biochar samples. These findings along with the morphological characteristics of the two types of biochar suggest that Biochar 1 (B1) was completely pyrolyzed, while biochar 2 (B2) underwent partial pyrolysis
Summary
A thermochemical degradation process performed in the absence of oxygen, is currently widely considered a viable option for waste treatment and generation of bioproducts [1]. Most forest residues generated in the field, as well as agricultural residues, are burned on-site as they do not have further applications. This results in the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere and represents a major waste of raw material. One strategy for the management of these residues involves subjecting them to fast pyrolysis, which results in the production of the following four types of products: an aqueous fraction called wood vinegar; a heavy organic fraction called bio-bitumen; a light organic fraction known as bio-oil; a solid fraction called biochar. The economic benefits of bioproducts obtained through fast pyrolysis (wood vinegar, bio-oil, biochar, and bio-bitumen) should cover the cost of the pyrolysis treatment of these residues
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