Potential Application of Biochar Composite Derived from Rice Straw and Animal Bones to Improve Plant Growth

Um-e-Laila, Adnan Hussain, Aisha Nazir, Muhammad Shafiq and Firdaus-e-Bareen
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Um-e-Laila: Institute of Botany, University of the Punjab, Lahore 54590, Pakistan
Adnan Hussain: Institute of Botany, University of the Punjab, Lahore 54590, Pakistan
Aisha Nazir: Institute of Botany, University of the Punjab, Lahore 54590, Pakistan
Muhammad Shafiq: Institute of Botany, University of the Punjab, Lahore 54590, Pakistan
Firdaus-e-Bareen: Institute of Botany, University of the Punjab, Lahore 54590, Pakistan

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 19, 1-16

Abstract: The current study is aimed at deriving biochar (BC) from rice straw (RS-BC) and waste bones (WB-BC), being wasted without adequate return at the expense of environmental degradation. The RS and WB feedstocks were pyrolyzed at 550 °C, and the potential of derived biochar as a slow nutrient releasing soil amendment was examined during the growth of ridge gourd. Proximate analysis of the prepared biochars showed significant improvement in ash content and fixed carbon as compared to their raw biomasses. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis of RS-BC and WB-BC displayed a diverse range of functional groups viz. derivatives of cellulose and hydroxylapatite (HA); macro and microporosity; multiple nutrients. Application of RS-BC and WB-BC in potted soil alone and as biochar composite (RS-BC+WB-BC) at 5, 10 and 15% ( w / w ) and chemical fertilizer (CF) resulted in a significant increase in soil pH, electrical conductivity (ECe), cation exchange capacity (CEC) and water holding capacity (WHC) in exchange for growth and yield of ridge gourd. However, there were insignificant differences in the growth of plants in response to RS-BC, WB-BC alone and CF with biochar composite at 15% amendment. For giving insignificantly different growth results than CF, the prepared biochar composite showed outstanding potential as an organic fertilizer applicable in agrarian soils to elevate soil properties and yield of agricultural commodities.

Keywords: animal bones; bone char; pyrolysis; rice straw; slow-release fertilizer (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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