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Biochar is now gaining awareness as a sustainable tool for soil health improvement, boosting carbon (C) storage and the enhancement of nutrient cycling in agricultural soils. This study assesses the effects of biochar on soil respiration, pH, and electrical conductivity (EC) in savanna soils over a 45-day incubation trail in the laboratory. Four different biochar treatments (0, 2, 4, and 6 t/ha) were used in the study. The treatments were established at 26°C, and after 2, 5, and 10 days, the CO2 levels were recorded. After incubation for 0, 5, 10, and 45 days, the EC and pH were assessed. As the rate of application of biochar increased, the rate of CO2 evolution increased as well. During the first two days of incubation, the CO2 evolution rate rose by a value of 129 at 2 t/ha biochar, 146 at 4 t/ha biochar, and 168 ug CO2/g soil/d at 6 t/ha biochar above the 0 t/ha biochar. Following five days of incubation, the amounts of CO2 evolution that were higher than the control were 99 with 2 t/ha, 116 with 4 t/ha, and 120 ug CO2/g soil/d with 6 t/ha of biochar. The increase in CO2 evolution above the control treatment at 10 days of incubation was 61 with 2 t/ha, 79 with 4 t/ha, and 87 ug CO2/g soil/d with 6 t/ha of biochar. Analogously, rising patterns in CO2 emissions were noted. Throughout the whole incubation period, the biochar treatments' soil EC and pH were greater than those of the control treatment. After applying biochar, there were increases in the evolution of CO2, however after 10 days of incubation, the percentage of C evolved from the addition of biochar decreased as the rates of biochar increased. At two t/ha, four t/ha, and six t/ha, the percentage C developed was 1.74 %, 1.66%, and 0.82% of the applied biochar C, respectively. Although the CO2 evolved ratio to the total amount of biochar C typically reduced with increasing biochar rates, this study shows that the addition of biochar increases soil respiration, EC, and pH.

In this study, the effects of different organic matter additives [soil (control), 20 ton ha-1 farmyard manure, 20 ton ha-1 biochar, and 10 ton ha-1 farmyard manure+10 ton ha-1 biochar] to the soil of lettuce grown with different irrigation water levels [100% (full irrigation), 75% (25% deficit irrigation), 50% (50% deficit irrigation), and 25% (75% deficit irrigation)] on water and irrigation water productivity efficiencies and plant characteristics were investigated. Among the organic matter additives, the biochar reduced the amount of irrigation water and actual evapotranspiration of lettuce and increased its marketable yield, thus the highest water and irrigation water productivity efficiencies were obtained from biochar treatment. Despite the decreasing marketable yield in the 50% irrigation treatment, the proportionally decreasing amount of irrigation water and actual evapotranspiration caused the highest water and irrigation water productivity efficiencies to occur in the 50% irrigation treatment. While the root diameter, root fresh and dry weights, stem diameter and length, head fresh and dry weights, marketable leaf number and yield, chlorophyll, and leaf relative water content of lettuce decreased with decreasing irrigation water levels, root length and membrane damage increased. The effects of organic matter additives on all of these physical-physiological properties, except root diameter and membrane damage, were found to be significant, and the biochar provided the most effective development of these parameters under the deficit irrigation regime. Considering that the yield and yield characteristics in 75% irrigation treatment do not decrease at a very significant level compared to full irrigation (100%) and that these decreases can be compensated by biochar and that the farmyard manure+biochar as alternative treatment is also effective in improving the decrease in yield parameters, treatment of 10 ton ha-1 farmyard manure+10 ton ha-1 to the soil at 75% irrigation water level was found to be recommended in lettuce cultivation.

Salinity often increases osmotic stress, reducing plant water uptake and inhibiting the absorption of nutrients and minerals. This imbalance situation causes physiological, biochemical disorders, and nutrient deficiencies in plants. In this study, the effects of biochar application on the physiological properties, nutrient contents and antioxidant enzyme activities of lettuce were investigated under saline irrigation water conditions. For this purpose, four different biochar doses and different irrigation water salinity levels were applied to the lettuce plant. In the study, biochar application under salt stress conditions decreased the Na, Fe, Zn content and antioxidant enzyme activity of the plant. Leaf relative water content, chlorophyll content (SPAD) and some nutrients (Ca, K, Mg, P, Cu and Mn) also increased. Therefore, biochar applied under salt irrigated water conditions offers good potential to reduce the severity of plant exposure to salinity stress. In addition, the biochar amendment helped the plant uptake of nutrients.

Congo Red, an anionic dyestuff, is used in many areas of industry today. Contact of anionic and cationic dyestuffs with water sources without cleaning causes serious environmental problems. In this study, red pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) cones, which can be found in many parts of the world, were turned into biochar (PBKB) and used for KR removal from aqueous solutions. In the results obtained, it was found that the removal of CR by PBKB was in accordance with the Langmuir adsorption isotherm (R2=0.975) and the maximum adsorption capacity value was 14.124 mg/g. As a result of the kinetic and thermodynamic calculations, it was concluded that the adsorption process is endothermic and proceeds over pseudo-second-order (PSO). PBKB was characterized by SEM-EDS and FT-IR devices before and after contact with the CR. When SEM-EDS characterization was performed before contact, it was calculated as the weight percentage (57.450%) and atomic percentage (66.540%) of element C and the weight percentage (34.310%) and atomic percentage (29.830%) of element O. Afterwards, the weight percentage (67.230%) and atomic percentage (75.400%) of element C and the weight percentage (26.110%) and atomic percentage (21.990%) of element O were calculated.

This study was carried out with the aim of assessing the effectiveness of four biochar materials; in reducing nitrate leaching from soils of three different textural classes in the Nigerian Savanna region. Soil samples (0-20 cm depth) were collected from three different soil types and three different locations each in the Nigerian Savanna using stratified random sampling. Two hundred and fifty (250) g of soil samples were amended with 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 tonha-1 of Maize cob biochar (MCB), rice husk biochar (RHB), cow dung biochar (CDB) and poultry litter biochar (PLB) and were subjected to laboratory leaching experiment. Sixty (60) ml of nutrient solutions containing 300 mgl-1 nitrate using ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) was applied to each of the laboratory biochar-incubated soil columns to study biochar effect on nutrients retention and transport. The experiment was laid in a Randomize Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated three times. Leachates were collected and nitrate concentration was determined using a dual beam UV/VIS spectrophotometer. The data collected were analysed using the Generalized Linear Model (GLM) procedure and the means were separated using Tukey’s honest significant difference (SAS version 9.4). Results obtained revealed that there were no significant differences among the biochar treatments on nitrate leaching from Clay loam. However, highest nitrate leaching from Loamy soil of 30.53% was recorded by the application of 2.5 tonha-1 PLB and was significantly different from the application of 2.5 and 5-ton ha-1 RHB and 5-ton ha-1 MCB. Similarly, highest nitrate leaching from Sandy loam of 32.18 % was recorded by the application of 5-ton ha-1 MCB and was significantly higher than 5.94, 2.40 and 7.12 % recorded by the application of 2.5 and 5-ton ha-1 RHB and 7.5 tonha-1 CDB respectively. Therefore, application of 2.5, 5-ton ha-1 RHB and 7.5 tonha-1 CDB can effectively reduce nitrate leaching from Sandy loam. While 2.5, 5, 7.5 tonha-1 CDB and 2. 5 and 5 tonha-1 RHB reduced nitrate leaching from Loamy soils.

In search for an efficient means of building up the carbon stock, improving the fertility levels and aggregate stability of tropical soils for optimum crop yield, a field study was carried using different biochars and comparing the effects with inorganic fertilizer. The biochars were palm bunch biochar (PBB), saw dust biochar (SDM) and rice mill husk biochar (RMHB). Treatments consisted of 10 t/ha palm bunch biochar + 0.25t/ha poultry manure (T1), 10 t/ha rice mill husk biochar + 0.25t/ha poultry manure (T2), 10 t/ha saw dust biochar + 0.25t/ha poultry manure (T3), 500kg/ha N.P.K 15:15:15 fertilizer + 0.25t/ha poultry manure (T4) and plot without biochar + 0.25t/ha poultry manure (T5) (control plot). These were replicated five times on experimental plots of 4m2 in a randomized complete block design. Maize (Zea mays) was used as a test crop and data obtained were statistically analyzed using analysis of variance and correlation. Soils amended with biochars significantly improved soil pH, organic carbon, exchangeable bases and base saturation than non biochar fertilized soils. Saw dust biochar increased soil carbon stock by 95.1% against NPK fertilizer plots and control. There was 19% decrease in soil bulk density and 17% increase in soil pH with application of palm bunch biochar. Amending soils with palm bunch biochar increased soil organic carbon by 51.5%. The biochars increased the values of critical level of soil organic matter, modifies clay ratio and reduced the value of clay flocculation index more than NPK fertilized soils or control. Among the treatments, rice mill husk biochar recorded the highest maize cob weight though not significant with palm bunch biochar. Therefore, applying biochars on eroded soil is an effective measure of improving the stability, soil carbon stock as well as enhancing higher maize yield than inorganic fertilizer.

Biochar as agricultural soil amendment to improve soil physico-chemical properties, crop productivity and sustainable soil fertility management is a well-known practice. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of biochar on growth and yield components of carrot and selected soil physic-chemical properties. The study was carried by employing a randomized complete block design with factorial arrangement of four level of biochar (0, 4, 8 and 12 tons ha-1) and four level of Nitrogen/Phosphorus (N/P) fertilizer rate (0/0, 60/10, 90/15 and 120/20 kg ha-1) with four replications. Biochar significantly influenced physico-chemical properties of soils, such as bulk density, total porosity, pH, EC, SOC, TN, Av. P and CEC respectively, as compared to control. The results revealed substantial responses to biochar and N/P fertilization on growth and yield components of carrot with increasing level of biochar and N/P fertilizer rate. None of the others yield parameters were significantly affected by the interaction of two factors. From the present study, it can be concluded that dung cake biochar should be applied to enhance and improve soil physical and chemical properties for favourable plant growth.

This investigation was conducted to evaluate the outcome of rice husk biochar on growth performance of moringa. The study was carried-out in a greenhouse for 52 days. Different rates of rice husk biochar (150 to 350 g) was mixed with 500 g of soil. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 3 treatments (each of which was replicated 3 times) was used, giving a total of 12 experimental units. Plant height, stem diameter and number of leaves were assessed for each treatment. Results indicate that rice husk biochar (150 g, 250 g and 350 g) significantly increased the stem diameter of moringa as compared to that of the control 52 days after in the greenhouse. An increase in the number of leaves were observed at 150 g rice husk biochar after 40 days compared to the control. There were significant differences between treatments effects on all the parameters. Different rates of biochar certainly could constitute vital use of fertilizer to improve growth moringa in the nursery.

Soil moisture has a vital role in the cultivation of crops. Its sufficiency and availability to crop- water supplies depends on the management practices of soil and amount of available water to the soil. This study examines the influence of rice husk biochar on the water holding capacity of soil in the savannah ecological zone of Ghana. Increasing rate of rice husk biochar increased water-holding capacity of soils. 4t/ha rice husk biochar showed higher significant differences among the treatments. It is recommended that 4t/ha rice husk biochar should be applied to increase the water-holding capacity of the soil.

The objective of the study was to determine the effect of three different biochars (Pin, Poplar, and Oak biochars), four different biochar doses (0, 1, 2, and 4%), and four different nitrogen rates (0, 70, 140, and 210 mg kg-1) on soil fertility, growth, and nutrient uptake of corn plants. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, and corn (Zea mays L.) was used as the test plant. The biochar types, biochar doses, and nitrogen rates significantly affected many soil and plant parameters. The highest leaf dry matter yield was obtained with a combination of the poplar biochar, 4% biochar dose, and 140 mg kg-1 N application.

Cucurbita pepo spp. pepo has a unique ability to phytoextract Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) such as p,p’-DDE from the contaminated soil to plant compartments. Although the uptake mechanism of the POPs by the plants still remains unknown, p,p’-DDE has been accumulated in the plants grown in the contaminated fields, posing the environmental and human health risks. In this study, p,p’-DDE accumulation was investigated in the plants grown in contaminated soils amended with of 0%(control), 0.1%, 1%, and 10% of biochar produced from activated sludge under greenhouse conditions. The p,p’-DDE concentrations in soil and plant samples were measured by an Agilent 7890A GC with μ-ECD detector. The p,p’-DDE concentrations in roots and shoots of the plants were decreased 94% and 87% compared to the control set, respectively by 10 % biochar amendments which are significantly different from the other sets. On the other hand, p,p’-DDE concentrations in roots were not affected by biochar amendments and measured between 7 ng/g to 8 ng/g for the all sets. Biochar from activated sludge will help sustainable usage of the sludge as soil amendments to the contaminated fields, highlighting the importance of some future studies on the products from waste materials.

Fuel cells play an important role in clean and efficient energy technologies. The proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell, which uses hydrogen as fuel and operates at lower temperatures than other types, is important for portable electrical systems. Carbon material is used in the most of the fuel cell parts. In this study, the effect of biomass derived biochar-the carbonized material- on fuel cell efficiency has been investigated as an alternative, clean, inexpensive and sustainable carbon material in the membrane electrode assembly. Especially the sulphated biochar, the use of catalyst was reduced by half, results in higher fuel-cell voltage. A 0.56 V voltage was obtained with a half-catalyzed fuel cell, while a 0.78 V voltage was measured when sulfated biochar was used in the same cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ege Üniversitesi Ziraat Fakültesi Dergisi is the property of Ege Universitesi, Ziraat Fakultesi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Tea plant cultivation in Turkey is carried out only on the coastline located between the town of Fatsa and the Georgian border which has microclimatic features. For many years, monoculture cultivation, together with climate and human factors, soil fertility has been threatened and caused a decrease in soil pH. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the effects of biochar that obtained from tea pruning residues on soil pH and biological activities of the soils of the Black Sea region. Experimental soil and tea pruning residues were obtained from the tea gardens in the central district of Rize, Yeni Kale village, and a 4-month incubation experiment was established as the laboratory experiment. The pruning residues were subject to pyrolysis at 300 °C, 400 °C, and 500 °C in an oxygen-free environment and incorporated into the soil at 0, 0.5% and 0.1% rates. Every 30 days, soil samples were taken and soil respiration rate (CO2 formation), urease, protease, amylase, beta glucosidase enzyme activities, mineral nitrogen (NH4+, NO2- and NO3-) concentrations and soil pH were determined. The results of the study revealed that biochar applications obtained from tea pruning residues may increase soil pH, protease and beta glucosidase enzyme activities, and mineral nitrogen forms as NH4+, and NO3- concentrations, in terms of average values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents tests connected to the torrefaction of agro-biomass residues as a case of biomass valorisation. The aim of the work is to compare the changes in energy and chemical properties of millet stalk (Panicum miliaceum L.) before and after the torrefaction process. The torrefaction of the millet stalk was done by using a scale reactor in two temperatures, 275oC and 300oC, in an N2 atmosphere. The millet stalk torrefied at 300oC has more promising parameters, i.e., higher heating value HHV 24,57 MJ/kg, the content of carbon 64,90% and energy density 1,42 compering to biochar produced at 275oC - 22,57 MJ/kg, 60,90% and 1,31 respectively. The results showed that torrefaction improves the parameters of the millet stalk for higher-quality biofuel, which can be used for heat generation.

Most of the dry zone forests in Sri Lanka are arisen after unsustainable farming practices. Therefore, the natural regeneration of plant species in these forests reported to be very poor due to the reduced soil fertility. This study was conducted to find possible measures for the successful seed germination and seedling establishment of common dry zone forest tree species by sustainable soil fertility management. A pot trial was carried out in a greenhouse at the Faculty of Applied Sciences, Rajarata University, Mihintale, Sri Lanka. The experiment comprised of 128 pots and four replicates. Pots were assigned with different soil fertility managements: T0: control (Top soil only), T1: Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF), T2: a traditional mixed microbial culture (Jeewamurthum), T3: Compost, T4: Biochar, T5: T1+T2, T6: T1+T3, T7: T1+T4; and different forest plant species: Manilkara hexandra, Feronia limonia, Pterospermum conscens and Bauhinia racemosa. Seed germination percentage was measured two weeks after sowing, and shoot biomass, relative plant growth rate, and AMF colonization percentage were measured after four months of germination. The results revealed that inoculation of AMF enhance the seed germination percentage of all the selected plant species. Both sole and combined application of AMF and compost gives more benefits to all the tested plant species by enhancing all the measured growth parameters. The findings of present study would be useful in reforestation programs of dry zone forests in Sri Lanka by practicing sustainable procedures.

Copyright of Yuzuncu Yil Universitesi Journal of Agricultural Sciences (YYU J Agr Sci) is the property of Yuzuncu Yil University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Yakıt pilleri, temiz ve etkin enerji teknolojileri içinde önemli bir rol oynamaktadır. Hidrojeni yakıt olarak kullanan ve diğer türlerine göre daha düşük sıcaklıklarda çalışan proton değişim membran (PEM) yakıt pili, taşınabilir elektrik sistemleri için önemlidir. Yakıt pillerinin çoğu kısmında malzeme olarak karbon malzeme kullanılmaktadır. Bu çalışmada biyokütleden elde edilen karbonize materyal olan biyokömürün (biochar), alternatif, temiz, ucuz ve sürdürülebilir bir karbon malzeme olarak membran elektrot kümesinde kullanımının yakıt pili verimine etkisi incelenmiştir. Özellikle sülfolanmış biyokömür kullanımı ile katalizör kullanımı yarı yarıya azaltılırken daha yüksek yakıt pili voltaj gerilimi de elde edilmiştir. Yarı yarıya azaltılan katalizörlü yakıt pili ile 0.56 V gerilim elde edilirken, aynı hücrede sülfolanmış biyokömür kullanıldığında 0.78 V gerilim ölçülmüştür.

Yakıt pilleri, temiz ve etkin enerji teknolojileri içinde önemli bir rol oynamaktadır. Hidrojeni yakıt olarak kullanan ve diğer türlerine göre daha düşük sıcaklıklarda çalışan proton değişim membran (PEM) yakıt pili, taşınabilir elektrik sistemleri için önemlidir. Yakıt pillerinin çoğu kısmında malzeme olarak karbon malzeme kullanılmaktadır. Bu çalışmada biyokütleden elde edilen karbonize materyal olan biyokömürün (biochar), alternatif, temiz, ucuz ve sürdürülebilir bir karbon malzeme olarak membran elektrot kümesinde kullanımının yakıt pili verimine etkisi incelenmiştir. Özellikle sülfolanmış biyokömür kullanımı ile katalizör kullanımı yarı yarıya azaltılırken daha yüksek yakıt pili voltaj gerilimi de elde edilmiştir. Yarı yarıya azaltılan katalizörlü yakıt pili ile 0.56 V gerilim elde edilirken, aynı hücrede sülfolanmış biyokömür kullanıldığında 0.78 V gerilim ölçülmüştür.

Copyright of SDU Journal of Engineering Sciences & Design / Mühendislik Bilimleri ve Tasarım Dergisi is the property of Journal of Engineering Sciences & Design and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In recent years, the production of bioethanol from synthesis gas offers a common solution to the increasing levels of air pollution and the need for renewable energy sources. Synthesis gas is the combination of gases such as CO, CO2, N2, H2, NOx, which can form air pollution and can be used in the production of bioethanol by metabolizing these gases by Clostiridium species. Bioethanol is one of the most important biofuels because of the advantage of direct use by blending with gasoline. Pyrolysis and biochar production is an important alternative to expensive pretreatment methods used in waste and lignocellulosic raw materials in bioethanol production. In this study the wastes were converted into biochar by pyrolysis and the waste gas is collected to produce bioethanol which is an integrated and energy intensive approach. The use of mixed culture in the production of ethanol from pyrolysis gas instead of pure Clostiridium species is also important in terms of reducing costs. In this study, by using the the waste gas released during biochar production from fruit and vegetable wastes ethanol produced by syngas fermentation using heat pretreated mixed culture. While the positive effect of heat pretreatment was observed in the mixed culture, the amount of pyrolysis gas to be fed to the reactors was optimized and the highest ethanol production was observed in 5 and 10 mL pyrolysis gas feedings as 5 g/l.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorus (P) fertilizers contain cadmium (Cd) as a contaminant at levels varying from trace amounts to high levels and therefore, can be a major source of Cd to agricultural systems. This study was designed to assess the impact on application of Eppawala rock phosphate (ERP) and triple super phosphate (TSP) as P fertilizers and different soil amendments on P and Cd uptake in maize (Zea mays L.). The field trial was carried out at Field Crop Research and Development Institute at Mahailluppallama, Sri Lanka. A randomized complete block design was employed with three replicates as ERP and TSP separately applied with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and three types of amendments (biochar, compost and dolomite) and the control without adding P fertilizers. Phosphorus content and Cd content of soil, maize roots and seeds were quantified. Results revealed that available soil Cd and total accumulated root and seed Cd amounts were significantly higher in TSP added treatments with and without amendments compared with ERP added soil. Considering soil available P, root and seed P, there was no significant difference observed in different treatments of TSP and ERP added treatments. A similar phenomenon was also observed in growth and yield parameters with both fertilizers added and with the added amendments. There was no colonization of AMF in maize roots in TSP applied soil while 25-60% of colonization was recorded with ERP. Synthetic fertilizer (TSP) must have inhibited the AMF colonization and thereby increasing the Cd content in maize seeds. AMF colonization increased with comparatively low soil available P in ERP added treatments. The results revealed that TSP could be effectively substituted by ERP as a source of P for maize soils. The addition of AMF, compost and biochar further increased the effect.