IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v13y2021i5p2599-d508117.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Transforming a Valuable Bioresource to Biochar, Its Environmental Importance, and Potential Applications in Boosting Circular Bioeconomy While Promoting Sustainable Agriculture

Author

Listed:
  • Farhat Abbas

    (School of Climate Change and Adaptation, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3, Canada
    These authors have equal contribution.)

  • Hafiz Mohkum Hammad

    (Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari 61100, Pakistan
    These authors have equal contribution.)

  • Farhat Anwar

    (Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari 61100, Pakistan)

  • Aitazaz Ahsan Farooque

    (Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3, Canada)

  • Rashid Jawad

    (Department of Horticulture, Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan 32260, Pakistan)

  • Hafiz Faiq Bakhat

    (Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari 61100, Pakistan)

  • Muhammad Asif Naeem

    (Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari 61100, Pakistan)

  • Sajjad Ahmad

    (Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari 61100, Pakistan)

  • Saeed Ahmad Qaisrani

    (Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari 61100, Pakistan)

Abstract

Biochar produced from transforming bioresource waste can benefit sustainable agriculture and support circular bioeconomy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the application of biochar, produced from wheat straws, and a nitrification inhibitor, sourced from neem ( Azadirachta indica ), in combinition with the recommended synthetic fertilizer on soil properties, maize ( Zea mays L.) plant growth characteristics, and maize grain yield and quality paramters. The nitrification inhibitor was used with the concentrations of 5 and 10 mL pot −1 (N 1 and N 2 , respectively) with four levels of biochar (B 0 = 0 g, B 1 = 35 g, B 2 = 70 g, B 3 = 105 g, B 4 = 140 g pot −1 ), one recommended nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium syntactic fertilizer (250, 125, and 100 kg ha −1 , respectively) treatment, and one control treatment. The results showed that the nitrification inhibitor enhanced crop growth while the application of biochar significantly improved soil fertility. The application of biochar significantly enhanced soil organic matter and soil nitrogen as compared with nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium treatment. The highest root length (65.43 cm) and root weight (50.25 g) were observed in the maize plants treated with B 4 and N 2 combinedly. The grain yield, total biomass production, protein content from biochar’s B 4, and nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium treatments were not significantly different from each other. The application of 140 g biochar pot −1 (B 4 ) with nitrification inhibitor (10 mL pot −1 ) resulted in higher crop yield and the highest protein contents in maize grains as compared to the control treatments. Therefore, the potential of biochar application in combination with nitrification inhibitor may be used as the best nutrient management practice after verifying these findings at a large-scale field study. Based on the experimental findings, the applied potential of the study treatments, and results of economic analysis, it can be said that biochar has an important role to play in the circular bioeconomy.

Suggested Citation

  • Farhat Abbas & Hafiz Mohkum Hammad & Farhat Anwar & Aitazaz Ahsan Farooque & Rashid Jawad & Hafiz Faiq Bakhat & Muhammad Asif Naeem & Sajjad Ahmad & Saeed Ahmad Qaisrani, 2021. "Transforming a Valuable Bioresource to Biochar, Its Environmental Importance, and Potential Applications in Boosting Circular Bioeconomy While Promoting Sustainable Agriculture," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-15, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:5:p:2599-:d:508117
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/5/2599/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/5/2599/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jibing Xiong & Runhua Yu & Ejazul Islam & Fuhai Zhu & Jianfeng Zha & Muhammad Irfan Sohail, 2020. "Effect of Biochar on Soil Temperature under High Soil Surface Temperature in Coal Mined Arid and Semiarid Regions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-9, October.
    2. Hans Peter Schmidt & Bishnu Hari Pandit & Vegard Martinsen & Gerard Cornelissen & Pellegrino Conte & Claudia I. Kammann, 2015. "Fourfold Increase in Pumpkin Yield in Response to Low-Dosage Root Zone Application of Urine-Enhanced Biochar to a Fertile Tropical Soil," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 5(3), pages 1-19, September.
    3. Johannes Lehmann, 2007. "A handful of carbon," Nature, Nature, vol. 447(7141), pages 143-144, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Malyan, Sandeep K. & Kumar, Smita S. & Fagodiya, Ram Kishor & Ghosh, Pooja & Kumar, Amit & Singh, Rajesh & Singh, Lakhveer, 2021. "Biochar for environmental sustainability in the energy-water-agroecosystem nexus," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Zhang, Zhikun & Zhu, Zongyuan & Shen, Boxiong & Liu, Lina, 2019. "Insights into biochar and hydrochar production and applications: A review," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 171(C), pages 581-598.
    2. Kung, Chih-Chun & McCarl, Bruce A. & Cao, Xiaoyong, 2013. "Economics of pyrolysis-based energy production and biochar utilization: A case study in Taiwan," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 317-323.
    3. Farman Wali & Muhammad Naveed & Muhammad Asaad Bashir & Muhammad Asif & Zulfiqar Ahmad & Jawaher Alkahtani & Mona S. Alwahibi & Mohamed Soliman Elshikh, 2020. "Formulation of Biochar-Based Phosphorus Fertilizer and Its Impact on Both Soil Properties and Chickpea Growth Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-20, November.
    4. Zouhair Elkhlifi & Jerosha Iftikhar & Mohammad Sarraf & Baber Ali & Muhammad Hamzah Saleem & Irshad Ibranshahib & Mozart Daltro Bispo & Lucas Meili & Sezai Ercisli & Ehlinaz Torun Kayabasi & Naser Ale, 2023. "Potential Role of Biochar on Capturing Soil Nutrients, Carbon Sequestration and Managing Environmental Challenges: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-18, January.
    5. Mathews, John A., 2008. "Carbon-negative biofuels," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(3), pages 940-945, March.
    6. Savvas L. Douvartzides & Nikolaos D. Charisiou & Kyriakos N. Papageridis & Maria A. Goula, 2019. "Green Diesel: Biomass Feedstocks, Production Technologies, Catalytic Research, Fuel Properties and Performance in Compression Ignition Internal Combustion Engines," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-41, February.
    7. Kanbur, Ravi & Leard, Benjamin & Bento, Antonio, 2012. "Super-Additionality: A Neglected Force in Markets for Carbon Offsets," CEPR Discussion Papers 8952, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    8. Huang, Yu-Fong & Chiueh, Pei-Te & Shih, Chun-Hao & Lo, Shang-Lien & Sun, Liping & Zhong, Yuan & Qiu, Chunsheng, 2015. "Microwave pyrolysis of rice straw to produce biochar as an adsorbent for CO2 capture," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 75-82.
    9. Chih-Chun Kung & Bruce A. McCarl & Chi-Chung Chen, 2014. "An Environmental and Economic Evaluation of Pyrolysis for Energy Generation in Taiwan with Endogenous Land Greenhouse Gases Emissions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-19, March.
    10. Ahmad Numery Ashfaqul Haque & Md. Kamal Uddin & Muhammad Firdaus Sulaiman & Adibah Mohd Amin & Mahmud Hossain & Zakaria M. Solaiman & Mehnaz Mosharrof, 2021. "Biochar with Alternate Wetting and Drying Irrigation: A Potential Technique for Paddy Soil Management," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-35, April.
    11. Guido Fellet & Pellegrino Conte & Villiam Bortolotti & Fabiana Zama & Germana Landi & Delia Francesca Chillura Martino & Vito Ferro & Luca Marchiol & Paolo Lo Meo, 2022. "Changes in Physicochemical Properties of Biochar after Addition to Soil," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-21, February.
    12. Ye-Eun Lee & I-Tae Kim & Yeong-Seok Yoo, 2018. "Stabilization of High-Organic-Content Water Treatment Sludge by Pyrolysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-14, November.
    13. Shi-Xiang Zhao & Na Ta & Xu-Dong Wang, 2017. "Effect of Temperature on the Structural and Physicochemical Properties of Biochar with Apple Tree Branches as Feedstock Material," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-15, August.
    14. Sarah A. Doydora & Miguel L. Cabrera & Keshav C. Das & Julia W. Gaskin & Leticia S. Sonon & William P. Miller, 2011. "Release of Nitrogen and Phosphorus from Poultry Litter Amended with Acidified Biochar," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 8(5), pages 1-12, May.
    15. Ariane Krause & Franziska Häfner & Florian Augustin & Kai M. Udert, 2021. "Qualitative Risk Analysis for Contents of Dry Toilets Used to Produce Novel Recycling Fertilizers," Circular Economy and Sustainability,, Springer.
    16. Juan Luis Aguirre & Sergio González-Egido & María González-Lucas & Francisco Miguel González-Pernas, 2023. "Medium-Term Effects and Economic Analysis of Biochar Application in Three Mediterranean Crops," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-18, May.
    17. Mathews, John A. & Goldsztein, Hugo, 2009. "Capturing latecomer advantages in the adoption of biofuels: The case of Argentina," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(1), pages 326-337, January.
    18. Richter, Joseph P. & Weisberger, Joshua M. & Mollendorf, Joseph C. & DesJardin, Paul E., 2017. "Emissions from a domestic two-stage wood-fired hydronic heater: Effects of non-homogeneous fuel decomposition," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 187-196.
    19. Meng-Shiuh Chang & Chih-Chun Kung, 2018. "The greenhouse gas impact of bioenergy in developing economies: Evidence from Taiwan," Energy & Environment, , vol. 29(3), pages 315-332, May.
    20. Thomas, Cameron, 2009. "The Impact Of An Australian Emission Trading Scheme And The Use Of Agrichar On The Sugarcane Industry," 2009 Conference (53rd), February 11-13, 2009, Cairns, Australia 47641, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:5:p:2599-:d:508117. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.