Biochar for Horticultural Rooting Media Improvement: Evaluation of Biochar from Gasification and Slow Pyrolysis

Agronomy

Lydia Fryda¹  Rianne Visser²  Inge Regelink³  Barbara Eveleens⁴  Chris Blok⁴  Jantineke Hofland-Zijlstra⁴  Marta Streminska⁴  Caroline van der Salm⁴ 

[1] Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 3, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands;Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN), P.O. Box 1, 1755 ZG Petten, The Netherlands;;Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen University &Wageningen Plant Research, Glasshouse Horticulture, Violierenweg 1, 2665 MV Bleiswijk, The Netherlands;

关键词: alkalinity;    biochar;    gasification;    pH;    phytotoxicity;    pyrolysis;    salinity;    stability;    degradability;   

DOI  :  10.3390/agronomy7010006

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Peat is used as rooting medium in greenhouse horticulture. Biochar is a sustainable alternative for the use of peat, which will reduce peat derived carbon dioxide emissions. Biochar in potting soil mixtures allegedly increases water storage, nutrient supply, microbial life and disease suppression but this depends on feedstock and the production process. The aim of this paper is to find combinations of feedstock and production circumstances which will deliver biochars with value for the horticultural end user. Low-temperature (600 °C–750 °C) gasification was used for combined energy and biochar generation. Biochars produced were screened in laboratory tests and selected biochars were used in plant experiments. Tests included dry bulk density, total pore space, specific surface area, phytotoxicity, pH, EC, moisture characteristics and microbial stability. We conclude that biochars from nutrient-rich feedstocks are too saline and too alkaline to be applied in horticultural rooting media. Biochars from less nutrient-rich feedstocks can be conveniently neutralized by mixing with acid peat. The influence of production parameters on specific surface area, pH, total pore space and toxicity is discussed. Biochar mildly improved the survival of beneficial micro-organisms in a mix with peat. Overall, wood biochar can replace at least 20% v/v of peat in potting soils without affecting plant growth.

【 授权许可】

Unknown