Biochar preparation from Parthenium hysterophorus and its potential use in soil application

• Published in: Ecological engineering 2013-06, Vol.55, p.67-72
• Main Authors: Kumar, Sandeep, Masto, Reginald Ebhin, Ram, Lal C., Sarkar, Pinaki, George, Joshy, Selvi, Vetrival A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Active control; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biochar; Biological and medical sciences; Carbon; carbon sequestration; Catalase; Combustion; enzyme activity; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; General agronomy. Plant production; laboratory experimentation; microbial activity; Microbial biomass; Microorganisms; organic matter; Other nutrients. Amendments. Solid and liquid wastes. Sludges and slurries; Parthenium; Parthenium hysterophorus; Pyrolysis; Respiration; seedlings; soil; Soil (material); Soil enzyme; soil respiration; soil treatment; Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility. Fertilization. Amendments; Stability; temperature; vigor; weed control; Weeds; Zea mays
• ISSN: 0925-8574; 1872-6992
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoleng.2013.02.011

► Conversion of Parthenium residues to biochar is a new weed management strategy. ► Carbonization at 300–350°C for 30–45min yielded the desired biochar. ► Elemental analysis, TGA, and FTIR, indicated the aromaticity of biochar carbon. ► Allelochemical, ambrosin present in Parthenium residue was not detected in biochar. ► Maize seedling growth and soil biological activity enhanced due to biochar addition. Besides soil carbon sequestration, thermal conversion of weeds like Parthenium hysterophorus to biochar would be a sustainable weed management strategy. Parthenium was charred at different temperature (200–500°C) and residence time (30–120min). With increase in temperature, biochar yield decreased, whereas the stability increased. Stable organic matter yield index (SOMYI) was higher at 300–350°C temperate with 30–45min residential time. Elemental analysis, TGA, and FTIR, indicated the aromaticity and stability of biochar carbon. GC–MS spectra showed that ambrosin, an allelochemical present in Parthenium was lost during pyrolysis. Laboratory experiments on effect of Parthenium biochar (PBC) on soil microbial activity and Zea mays showed an increase in seedling vigour index with PBC addition. Soil dehydrogenase activity (DHA) increased (P