Biochar Texture – A Parameter Influencing Physicochemical Properties, Morphology, and Agronomical Potential

Biochar Texture – A Parameter Influencing Physicochemical Properties, Morphology, and Agronomical Potential

Článek WoS

Biochar represents a stable form of carbon-rich organic material produced by the pyrolysis of various biomass residues. It has the potential to stabilize organic carbon in the soil and improve soil fertility, water retention, and enhance plant growth. Despite its potential, there is limited information on the mutual relation of biochar texture with its physicochemical characteristics, morphology, and the content of organic matter. For these reasons, we studied three biochar samples with potential use in agriculture as soil supplements (NovoCarbo, Sonnenerde, Bi-ouhel.cz). Our experimental approach performed on the individual sieved fraction of studied biochars (<0.5; 0.5–2.0; 2.0–4.0 and >4.0 mm) confirmed the importance of a selection of optimal source biomass material as the content of lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose, together with the conditions of pyrolysis (temperature of pyrolysis), play a crucial role in the managing of the properties of produced biochar. Agronomically more stable biochars containing a higher con-tent of organic matter and organic carbon, with alkaline pH response and well-developed aro-matic porous structure, could be produced from lignin-based biomass residues at higher pyroly-sis temperatures, which is an important finding taking into account the possible utilization of biochar in soils as a soil conditioner.

Biochar represents a stable form of carbon-rich organic material produced by the pyrolysis of various biomass residues. It has the potential to stabilize organic carbon in the soil and improve soil fertility, water retention, and enhance plant growth. Despite its potential, there is limited information on the mutual relation of biochar texture with its physicochemical characteristics, morphology, and the content of organic matter. For these reasons, we studied three biochar samples with potential use in agriculture as soil supplements (NovoCarbo, Sonnenerde, Bi-ouhel.cz). Our experimental approach performed on the individual sieved fraction of studied biochars (<0.5; 0.5–2.0; 2.0–4.0 and >4.0 mm) confirmed the importance of a selection of optimal source biomass material as the content of lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose, together with the conditions of pyrolysis (temperature of pyrolysis), play a crucial role in the managing of the properties of produced biochar. Agronomically more stable biochars containing a higher con-tent of organic matter and organic carbon, with alkaline pH response and well-developed aro-matic porous structure, could be produced from lignin-based biomass residues at higher pyroly-sis temperatures, which is an important finding taking into account the possible utilization of biochar in soils as a soil conditioner.

biochar; extraction; morphology; organic carbon; organic matter; particle size; soil conditioner; texture

biochar; extraction; morphology; organic carbon; organic matter; particle size; soil conditioner; texture

KALINA, M.; SOVOVÁ, Š.; HAJZLER, J.; KUBÍKOVÁ, L.; TRUDIČOVÁ, M.; SMILEK, J.; ENEV, V.

2023

28.07.2022

MDPI

Basel, Švýcarsko

2073-4395

Agronomy-Basel

12

8

Švýcarská konfederace

1768

1783

16

https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/12/8/1768

http://hdl.handle.net/11012/208202

agronomy-12-01768