Evaluation of the Agronomic Properties and Climate Change Mitigation Potential of Biochar Derived from Selected Invasive Wetland Weeds Viswanathan Shanthi Prabha*, Neelamury Sreekanth Prakasan, Padmakumar Babu, PailiThomas Ambatt Advanced Centre of Environmental Studies and Sustainable Development, School of Environmental Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam-686560, Kerala, India *Corresponding author email id: shanthiprabhav@gmail.com
Online published on 19 August, 2020. Abstract Production and utilization of aquatic weed derived biochar is considered as an effective method of wetland weed management in the present study. It has its benefits in soil fertility and climate change mitigation. The study aims to examine the production potential of biochar from Eichhornia crassipes and Phragmites karka (prominent invasive wetland weeds) for use as a soil amendment to the possible soil fertility enhancement and carbon management. The biomass was charred at 500°C and characterization studies were carried out. Pot trial studies were done using black-eyed pea (Vigna ungiculata), supplemented with biochar amendments under greenhouse conditions. Char yield, ash content, fixed carbon, soil organic matter yield index (SOMY), and the liming value was found high in P. karka char (PKBC). The SEM-EDS images showed the extent of pore creation and variation of elements in chars. The surface functional groups of chars as depicted by FTIR were predominantly recalcitrant aromatic groups. It was seen that the germination percentage of V. ungiculata increased from 86 to 100% in the char amended soils. The seedling vigor index (SVI) increased in biochar trials with a maximum in PKBC char. The application of chars significantly affected the pH and nutrient content of the soil. A substantial carbon dioxide emission reduction was achieved under biochar soil applications. Moreover, soil carbon content also showed a significant increase. The study reveals that the aquatic weed biomass which is considered as wastes could be effectively utilized as a soil amendment after converting them into biochar illustrating their environmental management potential. Top Keywords Aquatic weed, Biochar, Biomass, Carbon sequestration, Climate change mitigation, Soil amendment. Top |