Production of biochar and composting of the residue are the effective and proven residue management strategies that have high potential to improve soil properties and crop productivity. The milling of paddy yields large amount of husk. As a part of the present investigation, both biochar as well as vermicompost were prepared from the rice husk. Surface morphology and structural characteristics of rice husk, biochar and vermicompost were examined using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) spectrometer equipped with Attenuated Total Reflectance. SEM image of rice husk exhibited well-arranged micro-bumps on the surface. Whereas, the SEM image of biochar was porous, fragmented and heterogeneous. In the micrograph of vermicompost, undecomposed rice husk structure was visible. It indicated that technology of composting rice husk using earthworms was not much suitable. Each peak in FTIR was assigned with corresponding functional groups and it clearly explained the presence of C, H, O, N and Si in the rice husk and products. The FTIR spectra of rice husk and vermicompost were almost similar whereas characteristic differences were noted in biochar spectrum. FTIR spectra of rice husk biochar revealed its aromatic and recalcitrant nature. Pyrolysis process created more recalcitrant character by increasing aromatic compounds, and thus could help in sequestering carbon in soil.
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