Abstract
Effective utilization of coffee wastes has been a great challenge in Uganda despite their wider use to replenish soil organic matter. This study explored the possibility of producing biochar from coffee husks that could be used as a soil amendment for replenishing soil nutrients and also for enhancement of soil water holding capacity. Pyrolysis of coffee husks was done in a batch bio-reactor under slow pyrolysis conditions of temperatures 350°C - 550°C and residence times 30 - 60 min. For easy characterization, biochar was grinded, sieved through a 1 mm sieve and then analyzed using a computerized Thermo Graphic Analyzer with an inbuilt and integrated ELTRA 84 GmbH Precision Digital weighing scale. Proximate analysis (wet basis) of biochar gave a moisture content of 5.2%, ash content of 14.7%, volatile matter of 13.2% and fixed carbon of 66.9%. Biochar was applied to soil at different rates (0%, 5%, 10% and 20% w/w) and its effect on water holding capacity was investigated. Results show that bio-char amended soils had higher water holding capacity (p ≤ 0.05) compared to biochar free soils. The water holding capacity also increased with increase in biochar amendment with a 1.5% increase in soil water holding capacity for each 1% increase in biochar application rate. Biochar was also rich in soil nutrient elements with 0.96% N, 0.39% P and 1.97% K; this increased the availability of soil nutrients for crop growth. The results suggest that biochar could be a better tool to improve soil conditions thus enhancing the sustainability of agriculture.
Highlights
The effects of climate change/variability are experiences worldwide including Uganda [1]
This study explored the possibility of producing biochar from coffee husks that could be used as a soil amendment for replenishing soil nutrients and for enhancement of soil water holding capacity
Biochar yield from coffee husks decreased when the pyrolysis temperature increased, with minimum yield of 29.9% recorded at 550 ̊C and maximum yield of 35.09% recorded at 350 ̊C (Figure 4)
Summary
The effects of climate change/variability are experiences worldwide including Uganda [1]. The study on global warming shows that rapid temperature in-. The global warming of the earth results from emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere during burning of biofuels and decomposition of organic matter. International efforts have been put in place to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions through the sequestration of Carbon in the environment [2]
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