Agronomic Potential of Avocado-Seed Biochar in Comparison with Other Locally Available Biochar Types: A First-Hand Report from Ethiopia

Demissie, H and Gedebo, A and Agegnehu, G (2023) Agronomic Potential of Avocado-Seed Biochar in Comparison with Other Locally Available Biochar Types: A First-Hand Report from Ethiopia. Applied and Environmental Soil Science, 2023. 01-15. ISSN 1687-7675

[img] PDF - Published Version
Available under License ["licenses_description_cc_attribution" not defined].

Download (1MB)

Abstract

Biochar is a promising option for improving soil fertility and agricultural productivity. (e potential of biochar for speci.c purposes depends on its physical and chemical characteristics. (e avocado seed is widely available as a leftover after the /eshy part is used for food and as a byproduct of avocado-oil producing agro-industries in Ethiopia. Its potential as a biochar for an agronomic purpose has not been studied. (e objective of this study was to compare the agronomic potential of avocado-seed biochar (ASB) type in comparison to other biochar types produced from locally available feedstocks at two selected pyrolysis temperatures (450 and 550°C). It was identi.ed that on a mass-base, the produced biochar yields were in a range of 29.68 to 47.45%, higher for ASB pyrolyzed at 450°C. (e scanned images of the biochar types showed a remarkable surface morphology for bamboo biochar (BB) and ASB. (e bulk density of the biochars were in the range of 0.21 to 0.49 g/mL. (e highest volatile matter was measured for BB-450°C, .xed carbon for BB-550°C, and ash content for BB-450°C. (e mean pH values were in the range of 9.1 to 11.3. (e ASB-450 and 550°C exhibited higher nutrient content. (e highest cation exchange capacity (CEC) was recorded for ASB-450°C; organic carbon (OC) for corncob biochar (CCB) was followed by ASB-450 and 550°C. (e calcium carbonate (CaCO3) content of ASB-550°C was the second-highest value next to co>ee husk biochar (CHB). In this study, ASB and BB were found to have important qualities for improving degraded agricultural soils in terms of soil acidity, nutrient content, and soil fertility. (erefore, ASB-450°C and BB-450°C can be suggested to be promising candidates for reclaiming acid-soils and for improving nutrient-depleted infertile soils into agriculturally productive soils.

Item Type: Article
Divisions: Research Program : East & Southern Africa
CRP: UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords: Agronomy, Avocado-Seed, Ethiopia
Subjects: Others > Soil Fertility
Others > Ethiopia
Depositing User: Mr Nagaraju T
Date Deposited: 28 Jun 2023 09:07
Last Modified: 28 Jun 2023 09:07
URI: http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/12121
Official URL: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/aess/2023/7531228...
Projects: UNSPECIFIED
Funders: UNSPECIFIED
Acknowledgement: The authors express their genuine acknowledgment to Hawassa College of Teacher Education for all the necessary facilities they provide for the acomplishement of this study. Jimma University, College of Agriculture, and Veterinary Medicine o>ered a facility for biochar production. Holetta Agricultural Research Laboratory and Hawassa University College of Agriculture provided the author with laboratory access for biochar physical and chemical analysis. (e authors would also like to express their acknowledgment for all laboratory technicians for the necessary assistance and facilities for the analysis of the biochars.
Links:
View Statistics

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item