Abstract
This work explores the hypothesis that functionalized biomass-derived chars (charcoal) can act as fertilizer-delivering, carbon-sequestering soil amendments. A naturally occurring precedent for this approach is based on recent results that clearly link increased soil productivity with charcoal-like Terra Preta deposits, which are characterized by enhanced microbial and fungal activity and are found in both temperate and tropical climates. In this work, peanut shell pellets were pyrolyzed under mild conditions (400C). The resulting char retained nitrogen from the feedstock’s high protein content. This char also provided the baseline material for further nutrient addition by reaction of pyrolysis oil with urea to add more bioavailable nitrogen. Replicated plant growth tests with corn conducted in a controlled greenhouse environment showed that these biomass-derived chars, as produced (raw) and chemically reacted (functionalized) with urea and pyrolysis oil, enhanced above and below ground plant growth similar to the periodic addition of an aqueous NPK fertilizer to the potting soil used for all experiments. We also found that char (raw and functionalized) addition to soil significantly enhanced root growth and that char could support the growth and subsequent release of nitrogen-fixing bacteria (Azotobacter vinelandii) into soils. These promising results provide the basis to design renewable time-release fertilizers for promoting above and below ground plant growth that also sequester carbon in the soil. Sustainable benefits
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Claims 3
Claim · model-written summary
Raw and functionalized biomass-derived chars enhanced above and below ground corn growth similar to periodic NPK fertilizer addition in a controlled greenhouse.
- Taxon
- corn
Zea mays subsp. mayse1 - Treatment
- biomass-derived chars, as produced (raw) and chemically reacted (functionalized) with urea and pyrolysis oile1
- Outcome
- above and below ground plant growthe1
- Direction
- enhancede1
- Comparator
- aqueous NPK fertilizere1
- Setting
- controlled greenhouse environmente1
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e1“Replicated plant growth tests with corn conducted in a controlled greenhouse environment showed that these biomass-derived chars, as produced (raw) and chemically reacted (functionalized) with urea and pyrolysis oil, enhanced above and below ground plant growth similar to the periodic addition of an aqueous NPK fertilizer”
Claim · model-written summary
Char addition to soil significantly enhanced corn root growth.
- Taxon
- cornZea mays subsp. mayse1
- Treatment
- char (raw and functionalized) addition to soile2
- Outcome
- root growthe2
- Direction
- enhancede2
Not reportedComparator
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e1“Replicated plant growth tests with corn conducted in a controlled greenhouse environment”
e2“char (raw and functionalized) addition to soil significantly enhanced root growth”
Claim · model-written summary
Char supported the growth and subsequent release of the nitrogen-fixing bacterium Azotobacter vinelandii into soil.
- Taxon
- cornZea mays subsp. mayse1
- Interactor
- Azotobacter vinelandiiAzotobacter vinelandiie2symbiont
- Outcome
- growth and subsequent release of nitrogen-fixing bacteriae2
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e1“Replicated plant growth tests with corn conducted in a controlled greenhouse environment”
e2“char could support the growth and subsequent release of nitrogen-fixing bacteria (Azotobacter vinelandii) into soils”
The same questions in other papers
nitrogen · growth · Zea mays (maize)Positive and negative results
618 papers in the same direction as this paper · 115 in the opposite direction · 14 reporting no difference from an alternative
- negative
- no effect
- negative
744 papers more in this group
See all 748 papers →Claims are grouped by organism, treatment and what was measured or targeted. A paper counts as positive when any of its claims in the group is positive.