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Medium-Term Effects and Economic Analysis of Biochar Application in Three Mediterranean Crops

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  • Juan Luis Aguirre

    (Cátedra de Medio Ambiente, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Alcala, 28871 Madrid, Spain
    Environment and Bioproducts Group, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Alcala, 28871 Madrid, Spain)

  • Sergio González-Egido

    (Cátedra de Medio Ambiente, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Alcala, 28871 Madrid, Spain
    Environment and Bioproducts Group, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Alcala, 28871 Madrid, Spain)

  • María González-Lucas

    (Cátedra de Medio Ambiente, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Alcala, 28871 Madrid, Spain
    Environment and Bioproducts Group, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Alcala, 28871 Madrid, Spain)

  • Francisco Miguel González-Pernas

    (Cátedra de Medio Ambiente, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Alcala, 28871 Madrid, Spain
    Environment and Bioproducts Group, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Alcala, 28871 Madrid, Spain)

Abstract

This study assessed the effect of soil amendment with biochar on the production of some Mediterranean crops. Pine-derived biochar (B1) and partially pyrolyzed pine-derived biochar (B2) were used with a dose of 8 L/m 2 in a corn crop, reporting a production increase of 38–270% over three years with B1, and no effect of B2 due to its poor quality. Olive stone-derived biochar (B3) was used in lavandin and vineyard crops with doses of 0.04–0.9 L/m 2 and 0.37–2.55 L/m 2 , respectively. An increase of 23–25% in plant volume of lavandin was reported, while the production of grapes per plant was not significantly altered, although it increased by up to 66%. Soil analysis indicated that biochar does not significantly alter soil physicochemical parameters; therefore, biochar may affect plants by altering soil structure and increasing its cation exchange capacity and water management efficiency. Depending on its price, biochar application may be profitable for lavandin and corn crops, with a return-on-investment period ranging from 1 to 4 years. However, the profitability of its use in vineyards is questionable, particularly for the varieties with the lowest market price. Studies examining the economics of biochar application indicate that CO 2 abatement certification may help in covering biochar application costs.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:10:p:4131-:d:1148558
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Juan Luis Aguirre & Juan Baena & María Teresa Martín & Leonor Nozal & Sergio González & José Luis Manjón & Manuel Peinado, 2020. "Composition, Ageing and Herbicidal Properties of Wood Vinegar Obtained through Fast Biomass Pyrolysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-17, May.
    2. David M. Filiberto & John L. Gaunt, 2013. "Practicality of Biochar Additions to Enhance Soil and Crop Productivity," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 3(4), pages 1-11, October.
    3. Francisco Miguel González-Pernas & Cristina Grajera-Antolín & Olivia García-Cámara & María González-Lucas & María Teresa Martín & Sergio González-Egido & Juan Luis Aguirre, 2022. "Effects of Biochar on Biointensive Horticultural Crops and Its Economic Viability in the Mediterranean Climate," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-16, May.
    4. Pradhan, Aliza & Chan, Catherine & Roul, Pravat Kumar & Halbrendt, Jacqueline & Sipes, Brent, 2018. "Potential of conservation agriculture (CA) for climate change adaptation and food security under rainfed uplands of India: A transdisciplinary approach," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 27-35.
    5. Johannes Lehmann & John Gaunt & Marco Rondon, 2006. "Bio-char Sequestration in Terrestrial Ecosystems – A Review," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 11(2), pages 395-419, March.
    6. Johannes Lehmann, 2007. "A handful of carbon," Nature, Nature, vol. 447(7141), pages 143-144, May.
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