Low temperature carbonization of chicken manure to char and its effect on growth of Oryza sativa L. Koshihikari and Brassica rapa komatsuna

Abstract

Considering the demand for transforming poultry waste into eco-friendly manure, we carbonized chicken manure at 402, 449 and 528°C and determined the physicochemical properties. We evaluated the effectiveness of the ensuing carbonized chicken manure (CCM) as a fertilizer using Brassica rapa, var. komatsuna and Oryza sativa L., var. japonica, cv. Koshihikari, in the upland and the paddy field soil, respectively. Herein, we carried out duplicate treatment of CCM (carbonized at 528°C) either alone or in combination with nitrogen and measured the growth from three or more plants. The plots with the recommended chemical fertilizers containing nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) and with no fertilizers were used as controls for growth measurement. The vessel tests indicated that when applied alone, the CCM plot could not support the normal growth of both the plants. However, the CCM plot restored the plant growth with simultaneous application of nitrogen, and the growth in the CCM ? N plot was comparable to that observed in the NPK plot. By estimating the growth in the NPK plots as 100%, the growth percentages of fresh weights of komatsuna were 12% in the CCM plot, 79% in the N plot and 99% in the CCM ? N plot. Likewise, the plant heights of Koshihikari were 43% in the CCM plot, 77% in the N plot and 99% in the CCM ? N plot. Our data suggest CCM supplementation to N fertilizers as a potential replacement of inorganic fertilizers like P and K for effective environmental management.

What Is the Threshold Carbonization Temperature for Sustainable Preservation of the Good Nitrogen Supply Ability of Chicken Manure?

“…This has serious negative implications for the use of carbonized CM for sustainable production of crops. Indeed, Steiner et al [12] already observed negative effects on the quality of ryegrass due to the decreased N supply ability of CM carbonized at 500 • C. The results of Ishimori et al [11] on plant growth and yield indicated that carbonized CM at 528 • C cannot supply sufficient N to independently support plant productivity.…”

“…For instance, Tagoe et al [10] observed an increase in total N content of soybeans and a 43% increase in seed yield of the plant after application of CM that was carbonized at 500 • C. In addition, Chan et al [3] observed a 96% increase in radish yield and a significant increase in tissue N content over that of the control for CM, which was carbonized at 450 and 550 • C. With these results, they established that carbonized CM produced around these temperatures can supply sufficient plant nutrients, including N, for sustainable plant productivity. On the contrary, Ishimori et al [11] reported that CM carbonized at 528 • C alone cannot support the normal growth of plants after they observed that Oryza sativa and Brassica rapa komatsuna were not significantly different in their growth in plots of carbonized CM and the control. Steiner et al [12] found lower concentrations of N in tissues of plants fertilized with CM that was carbonized at 500 • C when compared to the unfertilized control, and concluded that "N in carbonized CM is not plant available".…”

“…However, little has been done to understand the spectroscopic transformations of the surface functional group and the speciation of the organic N in CM during carbonization and the subsequent effects of these transformations on N availability in soil. As indicated above, the temperature conditions set by the mere use of the basic physicochemical properties as a yardstick have resulted in discrepant results in the N supply ability of the carbonized product [3,[10][11][12]. We believe that a combination of chemical and microscopic examination of the composition, surface functional group, and N speciation in CM after carbonization will provide a much clearer exposition on the underlying mechanism(s) responsible for affecting the ability of the carbonized CM to supply N in soil and how the process can be manipulated in order to ensure the preservation of the good N supply ability of the manure.…”

Biochar in the Agroecosystem–Climate-Change–Sustainability Nexus

“…The up arrows and down arrows represent, respectively, the increasing and decreasing responses of the parameters by biochar application . References : (1) Zhang et al, 2016 ; (2) Liu et al, 2014 ; (3) Bian et al, 2014 ; (4) Qian et al, 2014 ; (5) Zhao et al, 2014 ; (6) Zheng et al, 2013 ; (7) Ishimori et al, 2017 ; (8) Kameyama et al, 2017 ; (9) Koyama and Hayashi, 2017 ; (10) Guerena et al, 2013 ; (11) Yao et al, 2012 ; (12) Ippolito et al, 2016 ; (13) Cayuela et al, 2013 ; (14) Olmo et al, 2014 ; (15) Kammann et al, 2011 ; (16) Reibe et al, 2015 ; (17) Bruun et al, 2012 ; (18) Agegnehu et al, 2016 ; (19) Mete et al, 2015 ; (20) Tammeorg et al, 2014 ; (21) Yamato et al, 2006 ; (22) Haefele et al, 2011 . …”