Artisanal Biochar Application: Enhancing Sandy Soil Fertility and Rice ( Oryza sativa L.) Productivity

Danielle França de Oliveira Torchia (), Tadeu Augusto van Tol de Castro, Natália Fernandes Rodrigues, Hellen Fernanda de Oliveira da Silva, Riccardo Spaccini, Silvana Cangemi, Orlando Carlos Huertas Tavares, Ricardo Luiz Louro Berbara, Everaldo Zonta and Andrés Calderín García
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Danielle França de Oliveira Torchia: Laboratory of Soil Biological Chemistry, Department of Soils, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), Seropédica 23890-000, RJ, Brazil
Tadeu Augusto van Tol de Castro: Laboratory of Soil Biological Chemistry, Department of Soils, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), Seropédica 23890-000, RJ, Brazil
Natália Fernandes Rodrigues: Laboratory of Soil Biological Chemistry, Department of Soils, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), Seropédica 23890-000, RJ, Brazil
Hellen Fernanda de Oliveira da Silva: Laboratory of Soil Biological Chemistry, Department of Soils, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), Seropédica 23890-000, RJ, Brazil
Riccardo Spaccini: Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy
Silvana Cangemi: Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy
Orlando Carlos Huertas Tavares: Laboratory of Soil Biological Chemistry, Department of Soils, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), Seropédica 23890-000, RJ, Brazil
Ricardo Luiz Louro Berbara: Laboratory of Soil Biological Chemistry, Department of Soils, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), Seropédica 23890-000, RJ, Brazil
Everaldo Zonta: Laboratory of Soil Biological Chemistry, Department of Soils, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), Seropédica 23890-000, RJ, Brazil
Andrés Calderín García: Laboratory of Soil Biological Chemistry, Department of Soils, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), Seropédica 23890-000, RJ, Brazil

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 8, 1-22

Abstract: The application of biochar as a soil amendment has garnered significant interest due to its potential to enhance soil fertility, promote plant growth, and contribute to sustainable agriculture. This study investigated how the structural and morphological characteristics of artisanal biochars from four different brands (AB1, AB2, AB3, and AB4), purchased in supermarkets, influence the development of rice plants in sandy soil. Spectroscopic analyses demonstrated that AB4 exhibited the highest aromaticity (77%), ensuring structural stability, whereas AB2 displayed greater aliphaticity (47%). Morphological characterization revealed that AB4 preserved the cellular structure of the original biomass. The biochar studied and the doses influenced the parameters evaluated in the development of rice plants in sandy soil differently. The biochar with the highest aromatic structure (AB4) promoted an increase in root area, length, and number of bifurcations, as well as in dry and fresh biomass. The nutrient accumulation in the aerial part of the rice plants was greater with the application of AB1 and AB2 at the dose of 10 t ha −1 . Chlorophyll fluorescence analysis indicated improved photosynthetic performance in the AB4 treatment, mitigating initial plant stress and optimizing energy use. This study underscores the potential of artisanal biochar to enhance crop productivity and foster sustainable agricultural practices.

Keywords: photosynthetic performance; root development; soil amendment; spectroscopic analysis; sustainable agriculture (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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