Perspective Chapter: From Weeds to Wealth – Hydrothermal Carbonization for Transforming Noxious Broadleaf Weeds of Louisiana into Soil Amendments

Abstract

In southern states of the United States (US), particularly in Louisiana, noxious broadleaf weeds have become undesired flora that tends to dominate crop plants in all types of farming systems. By genotypic superiority-driven robust growth habits and unprecedented reproductive potential, weed species acquire more growth resources (moisture, nutrients, solar radiation, etc.) than crop plants. Weed species can also survive periods of suboptimal growth conditions (salinity, drought, heat, chilling, heavy metal toxicity, water logging, soil erosion, heavy grazing and trampling by livestock, etc.). Considering changing climate scenarios and environmental pollution associated with the extensive use of herbicides, researchers have realized the need to explore and understand the remarkable agro-botanical superiority of weeds. Formulating and re-optimizing weed management approaches has become essential for improving farming practices. To attain these objectives, this study has been tailored to synthesize fundamental knowledge on a few prevalent weeds (e.g., pigweed, alligator weed, Chinese tallow, and parthenium weed) of Louisiana. Moreover, the prevalence of invasive weed species in the region has been objectively analyzed, and an economically viable chemical engineering-based weed management strategy (hydrothermal carbonization) for converting weed biomass into organic soil amendment (hydrochar) has been proposed. Such an approach holds the potential to keep weeds below the threshold level and reduce the use of herbicides, along with imparting sustainability to common Louisiana farming systems.