Nutritional Characteristics of Biochar from Pineapple Leaf Residue and Sago Waste

Abstract

Biochar produced from biomass with high nutrient content is essential for improving the quality of agricultural soils. An abundance of biomass is converted into biochar with high nutrient content, but studies on the conversion of pineapple and sago waste into biochar are still limited. This research aimed to produce biochar from pineapple leaf (PLB), sago bark (SBB), and sago pith (SPB) through the carbonization process with low temperature. The samples were carbonized using a laboratory electric oven at a low temperature of 350°C. The raw biomass and biochar produced were then subjected to elemental analysis and characterization. The mineral contents of carbonized biochar such as K, N, S, Mg, and Ca increased from those of the feedstock concentrations. For PLP, K element increased 24-fold from 2.44 ± 0.73% to 48.32 ± 9.92%, while N element increased from 6.13 ± 2.39% to 8.33 ± 5.34%. However, for both SBB and SPB, N and K nutrients increased by 2-fold. The study reveals that pineapple leaf biochar has the potentials to be used as an alternative soil amendment to elevate soil nutrient and quality.