Vol. 12, Issue 7 (2023)

Author(s):
S Shenbagavalli, J Satya, T Prabhu and V Dhanushkodi

Abstract:
Biochar, a stable form of carbon, is produced from pyrolysis of biological materials. It is attracting growing interest because of its potential to improve soil nutrients status, increase crop yield and sequester carbon (C) in the soil. Biochar serve as a source of reduced carbon compounds (organic molecules adsorbed to the particle’s matrix) for any biochar colonizing soil bacteria. Therefore, C entering the soil as charcoal is a significant sink for atmospheric CO₂ and may be important for global C sequestration. The biochar proves to be stable and effective carbons sink. The carbon locked in them do not release as CO₂ due to the microbial activity. The carbon in the biomass is subjected to easy degradation since they contain low grade carbon. But in biochar, pyrogenic carbon is formed by pyrolysis. Hence they remain in the soil for long periods. Biochars were produced from the pyrolysis of a variety of biological materials viz., paddy straw, maize stalk, coconut shell, groundnut shell, coir waste and prosopis wood, in a specially designed pyrolysis-stove. The Biochars differed much in their characteristics.