Abstract
Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) cultivation leaves behind around 20 t ha−1 of biomass residue after harvest and processing. We investigated the potential for sequestering carbon (C) in soil with these residues by partially converting them into biochar (recalcitrant carbon-rich material). First, we modified the RothC model to allow changes in soil C arising from additions of sugarcane-derived biochar. Second, we evaluated the modified model against published field data, and found satisfactory agreement between observed and predicted soil C accumulation. Third, we used the model to explore the potential for soil C sequestration with sugarcane biochar in São Paulo State, Brazil. The results show a potential increase in soil C stocks by 2.35 ± 0.4 t C ha−1 year−1 in sugarcane fields across the State at application rates of 4.2 t biochar ha−1 year−1. Scaling to the total sugarcane area of the State, this would be 50 Mt of CO2 equivalent year−1, which is 31% of the CO2 equivalent emissions attributed to the State in 2016. Future research should (a) further validate the model with field experiments; (b) make a full life cycle assessment of the potential for greenhouse gas mitigation, including additional effects of biochar applications on greenhouse gas balances.
Highlights
Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) cultivation leaves behind around 20 t ha−1 of biomass residue after harvest and processing
In a recent meta-analysis, Wang et al (2016) found a wide range of priming effects depending on biochar and soil characteristics; but they found consistently large priming effects in low-fertility sandy soils which are typical of many sugarcane areas
We develop and test a biochar sub-model for the RothC model with which to assess the potential for excess sugarcane trash and the bagasse residues to produce biochar for in-field soil C sequestration
Summary
Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) cultivation leaves behind around 20 t ha−1 of biomass residue after harvest and processing. We develop and test a biochar sub-model for the RothC model with which to assess the potential for excess sugarcane trash and the bagasse residues to produce biochar for in-field soil C sequestration.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have