Improvement of Soil Chemichal Properties using Corn Cob Biochar (BTJ)

Abstract

Corn waste is a solid waste that is still limited in use. One of the efforts that can be made to increase the use-value of maize waste is to convert it into biochar. Corn cobs are a component of corn that can be processed into biochar and can improve soil quality. This study aims to analyze the ability of corn waste biochar (in terms of chemical content and gas emissions) in improving soil quality. Primary data were collected by measuring C element using gravimetric method, N element using kjeldahl method, P element using oslen method, K (NH 4 O AC pH 7), pH using potentiometric, and CO2 emissions from biochar. Biochar is made by burning corn cobs at 500 o C without oxygen for 2 hours. Chemical content measurement of corn cob biochar, known as biochar tongkol jagung (BTJ) and soil, was carried out for eight weeks. The chemical elements of the mixture of biochar and soil at week 8 include C-Organic (0.7%), Total N (0.1%), P 2 O 5 (10.6 ppm), K 2 O (0.28 me), pH (6.19), and CO 2 emissions (6.64 mg CO2/day).

Effect of Production Technique on Corncob Biochar Quality

“…Several studies have been conducted to understand the potential and effects of biochar produced from the pyrolysis of biomass waste [6] [7]. In agriculture, biochar can be used as a soil repairer for sustainable agricultural production [8]. Biochar can modify soil characteristics [9], stores nutrients and promotes carbon availability [10], and reduce the bioavailability of various soil toxins [11].…”