Research Article

Characterization of Biochar Produced from Diverse Feedstocks Used as Amendment on Acidic Ultisols at Umudike, Abia State.

Onwuka, M.I.1*, Nwangwu B.C1
1 Department of Soil Science and Meteorology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, PMB 7267, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria.
* Corresponding author: onwukami@soilsjournalnigeria.com
Published: May, 2016
DOI: 10.67042/njss.2016.vcz1lyyd
Pages: 254-264
Views: 608
Downloads: 605

Abstract

Biochar is used as a soil amendment to improve soil nutrients for crop production. The nutrient contents of biochar depend on the type of feedstock, pyrolysis types and temperature among others. In this study, it was hypothesized that biochar produced from different feedstock at the same temperature will have different effects on soil properties. To verify this, a pot experiement was set up at the Experimental Field of College of Crop and Soil Sciences of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, to determine the effect of the biochar from twelve different feedstocks on soil chemical properties. The twelve types of biochar produced were from Bone, Cow dung, Mixed feedstock, Cocoa pod, Goat droppings others were Palm bunch, Pig waste, Poultry droppings, Saw dust, Rice mill husk, Ukpo shell (Mucuna flagellipes) and Wood shaving. These biochar types and a control without biochar served as the treatment, they were produced with the pyrolysis drum at the temperature of 450 0 C. The treatments were applied at the rate of 3 t/ha (whose equivalent was 86 g) to 10 kg of soil weighed into pots and replicated 4 times in a Completely Randomized Design. The effects of the treatments were determined on the soil pH, exchangeable acidity, available phosphorus, total nitrogen. Others were organic carbon, exchangeable potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium using the standard laboratory procedure. Biochar produced from mixed feedstock significantly (p

Keywords

feedstock chemical properties biochar characterization temperature pyrolysis.

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How to Cite

M.I., O., & B.C, N. (2016). Characterization of Biochar Produced from Diverse Feedstocks Used as Amendment on Acidic Ultisols at Umudike, Abia State.. Nigerian Journal of Soil Science, 26(1), 254-264. https://doi.org/10.67042/njss.2016.vcz1lyyd

O. M.I., and N. B.C, "Characterization of Biochar Produced from Diverse Feedstocks Used as Amendment on Acidic Ultisols at Umudike, Abia State.," Nigerian Journal of Soil Science, vol. 26, no. 1, pp. 254-264, May 2016. doi: 10.67042/njss.2016.vcz1lyyd

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