COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS TO DETERMINE THE

EFFECTIVENESS OF BIO CHARCOAL AS SOIL

A Research Paper
Presented to the Faculty
Of Senior High School
Victoria National High School
Victoria, Tarlac

___________________________________

In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for
Practical Research 2

By:
Lucas, Pauleen Grace M.
Vitales, Tristan Duane H.
Abaya, Maryjoy C.
Diaz, Renier A.
Gadiano, Fred Louie III S.
Gamis, Derick N.
Cagampang, John Kenneth A.
Rusch, Jacinthe Geraldine G.
 INTRODUCTION

Insects, weeds, drought, high salinity, high temperatures, and other biotic and abiotic
stresses, as well as soil conditions, all have a significant impact on crop growth and yield.
Toxic substances contaminate soil because of various anthropogenic activities, which
affect the development of plants and result in low-yielding agricultural production.
Fertilizers are a farmer's companion in crop cultivation and production and to generate
income, fertilizers are widely used in the Philippines because some individuals lack
access to alternative approaches as the world continues to innovate, and so should the
products developed by individuals. There are numerous types of fertilizers available on
the market, but some farm owners are still experiencing drawbacks when using these
varieties of fertilizers. A charcoal made up of animal waste and plant residue is referred
to as biochar, it can be employed rather than a fertilizer. Biochar is the solid, carbon-rich
material obtained by pyrolysis using different biomasses. (Rawat, J., Saxena, J., &
Sanwal, P. (2019). It undergoes a direct thermal decomposition of biomass in the
absence of zero to little oxygen. Which can produce a variety of products that is a mixture
of solids (Biochar), liquid (Bio-oil) and gas (syngas or synthesis gas). However, these
products are dependent on its process condition, such as temperature, residence time,
and heating rate. The process of creating biochar may take time through pyrolysis, but it
has a potential to help mitigate global warming and climate change. This results from the
process related to pyrogenic carbon capture, which can increase the growth of agricultural
crops (Mašek, O. et al.,2019). The application of biochar could improve soil fertility,
increase crop yield, enhance plant growth and microbial abundance, and immobilize
different contaminants in the soil. It could also be helpful in carbon sequestration and the
return of carbon stock back to the soil in partially combusted form (Gorovtsov A et al,
2021).

In the Philippines, agricultural waste such as rice husk and straw, coconut husk,
coconut shell, and bagasse are abundant. The country has significant prospects for
biomass power plants because rice accounts for one-third of the country's agricultural
land, resulting in large quantities of rice straw and hulls. Production of biochar could be a
solution to farmers' long-standing issues with soil quality when planting crops. However,
potential side effects of biochar were reported, such as the ability of biochar to absorb
agrochemicals such as herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides, reducing their
effectiveness (Bonanomi, G., Ippolito, F., and Scala, F. (2015).

In the study of Marilou M. Sarong entitled Effect of Rice Hull Biochar on the Fertility
and Nutrient Holding Capacity of Sandy Soils, it is said that Biochar has been shown to
be far more effective than any other organic soil addition at improving soil quality (Lehman
and Joseph, 2009). Oshio et a. 1981 discussed that rice husk charcoal has a porous
structure which contributes to aeration and water retention, which in turn enhances water
and nutrient (especially nitrogen and phosphorus) retention. In addition to improving soil
fertility, biochar also improves the soil physical conditions. Biochar applications to soil can
considerably boost important plant nutrients like N and P (Lehmann et al., 2006). The
amounts of these nutrients delivered to the soil are determined by the chemical and
physical properties of the biochar as well as the amount added (Atkinson et al., 2010).
The impact of biochar application on nutrient availability has been related to changes in
soil chemical, biological, and physical properties (Tagoe et al., 2008; Novak et al., 2009;
Lehman et al., 2010). Biochar soil treatments increase soil pH, CEC, and N retention
while decreasing acid soil Al saturation (Novak et al., 2009). Also, AMF colonization of
host plant roots has already been reported to be increased by biochar applications (Ishii
and Kadoya, 1994). Because of the lesser competition, biochar acts as a habitat for
extraradical hyphae that sporulate in its micropores derived from saprophytes (Saito and
Marumoto, 2002). Matsubara et al. (2002) demonstrated that biochar addition boosted
AMF's ability to support their host in resisting infection by plant pathogens.

According to the study of Del Rosario JAMM et al. (2020) entitled Effect of pyrolysis
conditions on the potential of rice straw derived biochar for carbon dioxide capture
application, the study focuses on the pyrolysis conversion of rice straw waste to biochar
and its potential as a carbon dioxide adsorbent. The effect of pyrolysis variables such as
pyrolysis temperature and residence time on biochar adsorption efficiency was
specifically examined. Several quantitative and qualitative tests were performed on
biochar produced under various pyrolysis settings characterization. The SEM pictures of
raw rice straw and rice straw biochar revealed considerable variations, ranging from a
smooth surface to the development of active pore sites and flaky layers. The pyrolysis
temperature has a greater impact on the surface morphology of biochar than the
residence time. Meanwhile, TGA analysis of biochar samples revealed that biochar
produced at higher temperatures had greater adsorption capacity. In general, discarded
rice straw was effectively exploited in the production of rice straw-derived biochar, which
has the potential to be a cost-effective adsorbent for CO2 capture applications.

In 2015, Samba conducted a related study. She gathered data based on the
parameters on affecting biochar production. The study test varies from one another to
systematically identify the effectiveness of bio charcoal in the production process. In the
study, it was concluded that the application of biochar has a great environmental and
agricultural contribution especially on the growth process of seasonal vegetable plants
such as okra and beans. Also, it finds out that biochar plays a vital role in aiding the fertility
and productivity rate of the planting soils that are polluted caused by microorganisms and
unhealthy soil planted in it.

Schulz and Glaser (2016) conducted another study that aims to test the efficiency
of biochar on aiding the soil quality and plant growth that could be improved by the
addition of mineral and organic fertilizers. They used a process called a greenhouse
experiment that was conducted with six treatments and five replicates to differentiate
between the influence of organic and mineral fertilizer in bio charcoal. The results
manifested that the plant growth in biochar followed a normal distribution and showed
homogeneity of variances whereas the nutrients and soil properties were distributed
properly that means the growth and development of plant are done by biochar that is
made of organic manures such as wool, woods, and plant wastes. In their study, it was
revealed a positive effect done by bio charcoal in relevance to the growth and
development of plants and also it aids the productivity and fertility of the planting soil used.
Furthermore, Bruno Glaser et al. mentioned that the trial application of biochar in a year
showed significantly increased water holding capacity and maize yields that correspond
to pure organic fertilizer applications. Moreover, the result stated that biochar has the
potential to increase agronomic performances especially in the temperate region, also the
effects of bio charcoal on plant and soil properties differ from one to another.

Another study that was conducted by Carnaje, Ampara do Jr., & Malaluan (2015),
acidic soil treated with biochar created from waste basal parts of bamboo was
investigated by growing mung beans in a randomized full block design experiment. Plants
planted in soil amended with 8.5 and 15.75%w biochar began flowering, pod filling, and
ripening 6 to 7 days earlier than plants growing in unaltered soil. After 60 days, plants in
the biochar modified soil were around 27% taller and produced 102% more pods than
those in the control soil. The addition of vermicast to biochar-amended soils did not
considerably improve mung bean flowering and pod filling stages, nor did it greatly boost
pod production rate. Plants cultivated in soils without biochar developed root nodules
around the soil surface, but nodulation extended down the entire length of the roots in
soils modified with 8.5 and 15.75%w biochar. The addition of vermicast resulted in fewer
nodules but enhanced rootlet formation. The pH of the plant increased steadily throughout
its vegetative growth up to maturity in both control and biochar-adjusted pots.

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.), a popular tropical vegetable crop, is also high in
carbohydrate, protein, dietary fiber, minerals, and vitamins. Since Okra seeds are often
placed at a depth of 5-6 cm, sprouting seeds are likely to encounter mechanical resistance
when growing to the soil surface. As a result, soil processing properties such as bulk
density, water holding capacity, and soil compaction play an important influence in
seedling sprouting and emergence. Since germination and seedling development are the
starting points for crop growth, development, and yield, research on germination indices
and seedling quality has been proven to be highly predictive of seed performance
throughout the growing season (Khajeh-Hosseini, Lomholt, & Matthews, 2014).

The present study was conducted to evaluate and to identify whether the
prospective effect of application of biochar as a soil enhancement can affect the growth
rate of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) with the use of Philippine agricultural soils (sandy
or clay-like) under extreme climate. This study uses a comparative analysis that features
a plant that is under observation with the enhancement of biochar, while the other plant
is deprived of biochar. This study is primarily concerned with quantitative evaluations such
as observing the rate of growth of Okra, physical form, and actual height in each day it
develops. The results of this study will show the overall positive effects of using Biochar
as a soil enhancement material. This will redound to a transformed Philippine agricultural
landscape which is sustainable.

Statement of the Problem

The researchers only tend to observe and experiment with the accumulation of Bio
charcoal on the development of the experimental okra plant (okra plant with bio charcoal)
vs. the control sample (okra plant in an ordinary commercial soil) in terms of the number
of branch points, length, and the thickness of its true roots and its stem.
This study aims to observe and investigate if bio charcoal will enhance and aid the
growth and development of okra plant (Abelmoschus esculentus).

To address the problem statement of the study, the researchers came up with the
following objectives:

1. What are the noticeable effects of Bio charcoal added on soil on aiding the growth rate
of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) compared to soil without bio charcoal in terms of the
following:
a. Actual height of okra plant
b. physical structure of okra plant
2. What are the mixtures present in Bio charcoal that aids the growth of okra
(Abelmoschus esculentus)?
3. What is the significant difference of Bio charcoal on soil productivity compared to
commercial soil in the growth rate of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)?
Conceptual Framework

The main aim of this study is to assess and determine whether the biochar application
as a soil enhancement can influence the growth rate of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)
with the use of Philippine agricultural soils under extreme weather conditions. This study
employs a comparative analysis, with one plant being observed with biochar
enhancement and the other plant is devoid of biochar.

Biomass

Biocharcoal Commercial Soil

Okra

Normal Growth Normal Growth

Biocharcoal as soil amendment

Figure 1: Conceptual Model of Bio charcoal