Coconut fiber biochar alters physical and chemical properties in sandy soils

Abstract

This work aimed to characterize the biochar produced from residues of coconut fruit and to evaluate how it might beneficially alter the retention capacity of water and nutrients in soils with a sandy texture. The biochar was produced in a retort furnace and later analyzed to determine its chemical and physical characteristics. Experiments to analyze the retention potential of the biochar for water and nutrients were performed in PVC columns filled to a 400 mm depth, with the upper 300 mm receiving treatments that consisted of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5% (p p-1) biochar mixed with soil. For the nutrient retention experiment, in addition to the biochar concentrations, the treatments received the same NPK fertilization. The experiments were performed in a completely randomized design with four replications. The water retention in the upper 300 mm, as well as the pH, effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) of the substrate, base saturation, and concentrations of P and K, increased with increasing biochar concentration. Coconut biochar demonstrated potential for increasing water retention and improving nutrient retention in sandy soils.

Waste Wool Powder for Promoting Plant Growth by Moisture Retention

“…However, wool is rich in nitrogen due to its amide groups [1], and it possesses a moisture retention ability 3.5 times its weight [9]; both are beneficial for plant growth. There are some other resources that have been proposed for soil moisture retention, such as the use of biochar from coconut fibre [10], walnut shells [11], water hyacinths [12], mixed wood [13], superabsorbent nanocomposites from silica [14], Sphagnum moss [15], compost [16][17][18][19], and minerals including vermiculite [20], bentonite, and zeolite [21]. However, the advantage of wool in comparison with other resources is its amide structure, which can simultaneously benefit the soil with moisture retention, such as by nitrogen mineralisation.…”