Transforming a Valuable Bioresource to Biochar, Its Environmental Importance, and Potential Applications in Boosting Circular Bioeconomy While Promoting Sustainable Agriculture

Farhat Abbas, Hafiz Mohkum Hammad, Farhat Anwar, Aitazaz Ahsan Farooque, Rashid Jawad, Hafiz Faiq Bakhat, Muhammad Asif Naeem, Sajjad Ahmad and Saeed Ahmad Qaisrani
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Farhat Abbas: School of Climate Change and Adaptation, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3, Canada
Hafiz Mohkum Hammad: Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari 61100, Pakistan
Farhat Anwar: Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari 61100, Pakistan
Aitazaz Ahsan Farooque: Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3, Canada
Rashid Jawad: Department of Horticulture, Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan 32260, Pakistan
Hafiz Faiq Bakhat: Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari 61100, Pakistan
Muhammad Asif Naeem: Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari 61100, Pakistan
Sajjad Ahmad: Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari 61100, Pakistan
Saeed Ahmad Qaisrani: Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari 61100, Pakistan

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 5, 1-15

Abstract: Biochar produced from transforming bioresource waste can benefit sustainable agriculture and support circular bioeconomy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the application of biochar, produced from wheat straws, and a nitrification inhibitor, sourced from neem ( Azadirachta indica ), in combinition with the recommended synthetic fertilizer on soil properties, maize ( Zea mays L.) plant growth characteristics, and maize grain yield and quality paramters. The nitrification inhibitor was used with the concentrations of 5 and 10 mL pot −1 (N 1 and N 2 , respectively) with four levels of biochar (B 0 = 0 g, B 1 = 35 g, B 2 = 70 g, B 3 = 105 g, B 4 = 140 g pot −1 ), one recommended nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium syntactic fertilizer (250, 125, and 100 kg ha −1 , respectively) treatment, and one control treatment. The results showed that the nitrification inhibitor enhanced crop growth while the application of biochar significantly improved soil fertility. The application of biochar significantly enhanced soil organic matter and soil nitrogen as compared with nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium treatment. The highest root length (65.43 cm) and root weight (50.25 g) were observed in the maize plants treated with B 4 and N 2 combinedly. The grain yield, total biomass production, protein content from biochar’s B 4, and nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium treatments were not significantly different from each other. The application of 140 g biochar pot −1 (B 4 ) with nitrification inhibitor (10 mL pot −1 ) resulted in higher crop yield and the highest protein contents in maize grains as compared to the control treatments. Therefore, the potential of biochar application in combination with nitrification inhibitor may be used as the best nutrient management practice after verifying these findings at a large-scale field study. Based on the experimental findings, the applied potential of the study treatments, and results of economic analysis, it can be said that biochar has an important role to play in the circular bioeconomy.

Keywords: bioresources; circular bioeconomy; economic analysis; Nitrification inhibitor; smog; Wheat straw (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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