Biochar from water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes) and its impact on soil biological activity

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)



Description :
Biochar is a useful material for carbon storage in soils. Here, the AA. explored conversion of water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes) to biochar as a sustainable weed management strategy, as it also has potential for improving soil quality. Impact of the Eichornia biochar (EBC) on soil quality was studied using a red soil, from Dhanbad, India. Soil biochemical properties (dehydrogenase, fluorescein hydrolases, catalase, respiration, active microbial biomass) and maize seedling growth were used to investigate the effects of biochar addition to the soil. EBC significantly enhanced the soil biological activity particularly the active microbial biomass which has increased by 3 times and soil respiration by 1.9 times. The study shows that the waste Eichornia weed could be gainfully utilised as a soil quality amendment material by converting it to EBC.


Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Catena (Giessen), issn : 0341-8162, 2013, vol. 111, p. 64-71, nombre de pages : 8, Références bibliographiques : 46 ref.

Date :
2013

Editeur :
Pays édition : Allemagne, Cremlingen-Destedt, Catena