Abstract The valorization of agroforestry residues, such as Caryocar brasiliense (pequi) shells, through biochar production represents a promising strategy for developing sustainable substrates for forest seedling production. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of incorporating pequi shell biochar, produced at different pyrolysis temperatures (350, 400, and 450 °C), on the physicochemical properties of substrates and the germination performance of Anadenanthera colubrina (angico-vermelho) seeds. A total of 26 substrate formulations were tested, containing different proportions of biochar (2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10% v/v), combined with subsoil and commercial substrate. The results showed that increasing the pyrolysis temperature led to higher pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and availability of nutrients (P, K, Ca, Mg), significantly improving germination conditions. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed a positive correlation between germination performance and attributes such as pH, CEC, P, Ca, and Mg, and a negative correlation with aluminum content. The treatment with 5% biochar produced at 450 °C combined with commercial substrate yielded the highest emergence rates. It is concluded that pequi shell biochar, especially when produced at higher pyrolysis temperatures, has high potential as an input for substrate formulation in the production of Anadenanthera colubrina seedlings, with promising applications for other forest species as well.
The reuse of municipal solid waste and agro-industrial biomass has been considered a potential alternative to promote environmental sustainability and the circular economy. In this context, the present study evaluated the agronomic potential of biochars produced from municipal solid waste (BMSW) and lemongrass biomass (BCL), incorporated at different concentrations (5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 wt %) into a commercial substrate to produce basil (Ocimum basilicum) and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus grandis) seedlings. Biometric parameters and nutritional content of the plants were evaluated. The biochars were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) to identify surface functional groups and mineral phases. The analyses indicated differences in the chemical and structural composition of the materials. The results demonstrated that the responses varied according to the plant species and the biochar source. BCL was associated with a greater biometric development of basil seedlings, especially in root growth, while BMSW was linked to a greater development of the aerial part of eucalyptus seedlings, mainly at concentrations of 5.0 and 7.5 wt %. In both species, the incorporation of biochars possibly yielded the accumulation of dry biomass. Regarding nutrients, potassium content was higher in treatments with 7.5 wt % BCL, reaching 15.3 g kg–1 in basil and 24.3 g·kg–1 in eucalyptus. For eucalyptus, the highest calcium levels were observed in treatments with BMSW, while higher boron levels were found in basil grown with 10.0 wt % of this biochar. Overall, the results indicate that the agronomic performance of biochars depends on their physicochemical properties and the interaction with the specific requirements of each plant species. However, the interpretations related to the action mechanisms must be considered cautiously since pH, electrical conductivity, porosity, water retention capacity, nutrient availability, and other physical-chemical Properties of the substrate blends after biochar incorporation were not measured. Thus, the results represent preliminary evidence obtained under controlled greenhouse conditions, highlighting the potential of biochars derived from waste as substrate conditioners in seedling production.
Vanessa Susana Rech Bisi, W. Silvestre, Marcelo Godinho et al.· ACS Omega· 0 citations
The physicochemical properties and applicability of cow manure biochar (CMB) as a soil conditioner and horticultural substrate amendment for halophyte growing on deteriorated coastal soils were assessed in this study. A typical commercial substrate (50% coco peat, 25% peat moss, 12% perlite, 7% vermiculite, and 6% zeolite) was used to compare elemental composition, thermal stability (TGA/DTG), surface morphology, pore structures (BET, FESEM), and functional groups (FT-IR) of CMB. In addition, 10% (w/w) CMB was added to coastal soils in the Saemangeum and Sinan-gun regions in order to assess changes in the physicochemical soil quality. In comparison to the commercial substrate, the analytical results showed that CMB had higher concentrations of essential mineral elements (such as K, Ca, P, Zn, and Na), a higher proportion of carbon (25.69%), and more accessible phosphorus (3490.97 mg/kg). Additionally, compared to the commercial substrate, CMB showed a nearly 19-fold larger specific surface area (77.53 m2/g) and increased micropore volume, suggesting better potential for soil aeration and water retention. Cultivating halophytes (Salicornia herbacea L. (glasswort) and Suaeda japonica Makino (seepweed)) in a 9:1 (v/v) substrate-to-CMB mixture for five weeks resulted in successful early germination and robust seedling establishment. Incorporating 10% CMB into coastal soils also substantially increased available phosphorus, total organic carbon (TOC), and organic matter (OM), demonstrating CMB’s effectiveness in enhancing nutrient availability and supporting soil carbon sequestration. All things considered, this study offers a practical framework for using biochar made from livestock manure as a sustainable substrate supplement to reclaim degraded coastal environments and advance biosaline agriculture.
Young-Soon Kim, Minseok Song, S. Im et al.· Agronomy· 0 citations
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is one of the most widely cultivated and economically important vegetable crops worldwide, contributing significantly to food security. However, its low productivity remains a substantial concern in Ethiopia due to mainly poor soil quality and limited use of inorganic fertilizers. On the contrary, improper disposal of recyclable charcoal and anaerobic cow dung bioslurry (ACDB) wastes poses environmental pollution challenges. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the synergetic effects of ACDB and charcoal co-composted fertilizers (ACDBCFs) on tomato productivity and soil properties. A pot experiment consisting of eight treatments (T1 - T8) was arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Characterization of the five formulated ACDBCFs revealed good physico-chemical properties of pH, organic carbon, ammonium, nitrate, and orthophosphate, fluctuated from 8.9 to 9.63, 26.8 to 65.6%, 2.5 to 4.6 mgL ⁻ 1, 11.9 to 18.2 mgL ⁻ 1, and 0.74 to 3.1 mgL ⁻ 1, respectively. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in tomato fruit yield with relatively higher values of 2.87 and 2.73 kgpot ⁻ 1 for T6 and T8 under ACDB + charcoal (+10%) and inorganic fertilizers amendments, respectively. Principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrated strong associations between nutrient availability and tomato growth and yield component parameters. Heat map visualization further confirmed that ACDBCFs application improved soil background nutrient and carbon contents. Overall, the findings from this short-term study indicate that ACDBCFs can enhance tomato productivity while improving soil organic matter and nutrient availability. However, further long-term studies on field level validation in real soil conditions and nutrient dynamics are recommended to support large-scale adoption of this resource-recovery approach, contributing to sustainable agriculture, environmental protection, and socio-economic development.
This study explores the potential of integrating agro-wastes with bamboo biochar to develop optimized substrates for cultivating Lentinus squarrosulus, aiming to enhance mycelial growth, productivity, nutritional quality, and economic returns. The chemical characterization revealed clear contrasts between sawdust and corn dust, where sawdust provided a carbon-rich but nitrogen-limited structure, while corn dust offered a greater nutrient availability. When formulated into mixed substrates, particularly at a 50:50 ratio, a more balanced physicochemical profile was achieved, improving substrate suitability for fungal growth. The incorporation of biochar (1–10%) further enhanced substrate performance by improving porosity, nutrient retention, and pH stability. Among treatments, mixed substrates supplemented with 5–10% biochar exhibited the highest mycelial growth rates and dense colonization, significantly reducing contamination rates. These conditions facilitated production cycles, with earlier primordia formation and harvesting compared to single-substrate systems. Yield performance was markedly improved in mixed formulations, especially those containing 1–5% biochar, which produced the highest fruiting body numbers, weights, and total yields. Biological efficiency exceeded 99% in optimal treatments, indicating highly efficient substrate conversion. Nutritional analysis demonstrated that substrate composition also influenced mushroom quality, with corn dust enhancing protein content, while mixed substrates promoted balanced fiber, carbohydrate, and energy profiles. Economic evaluation confirmed that integrating agro-wastes with moderate biochar levels significantly increased profitability, with the 50:50 sawdust–corn dust formulation supplemented with 5% biochar yielding the highest returns. Overall, this study highlights that strategic substrate design, balancing lignocellulosic structure, nutrient availability, and physicochemical properties, can substantially improve mushroom productivity and economic viability.
Worrawoot Aiduang, Orlavanh Xayyavong, Kritsana Jatuwong et al.· Journal of Fungi· 0 citations
Hempseed press cake-derived protein hydrolysate (HPH) is a promising plant biostimulant, but its effects on strawberry fruit production under smart greenhouse conditions remain unclear. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of foliar HPH application on growth, mineral accumulation, reproductive traits, yield, fruit quality, and antioxidant properties of strawberry cv. ‘Pharachatan 80’. Plants were grown in a smart greenhouse and treated with water (control), a commercial biostimulant, and HPH at 7.5 and 10.0% (w/v) (HPH7.5 and HPH10.0, respectively). Foliar application was initiated 25 days after transplanting and repeated weekly for five applications. HPH applications showed clear concentration-specific improvements in vegetative growth, mineral accumulation, reproductive performance, fruit yield, and antioxidant quality. As the most effective treatment for overall crop performance, HPH7.5 enhanced plant growth and mineral accumulation, particularly K and Mg. Consequently, it improved both yield components (fruit set, number, weight, size, and total yield) and fruit quality attributes, such as total soluble solids, total phenolics, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, and ABTS radical-scavenging activity. Conversely, HPH10.0 was more closely associated with N, P, Ca, Fe, Zn, and Mn accumulation, as well as fruit firmness and total anthocyanin content, and DPPH radical-scavenging activity. Principal component analysis confirmed distinct response patterns between HPH concentrations. Thus, HPH7.5 serves as an effective foliar biostimulant to improve strawberry productivity and quality in smart greenhouses.
Winery residues generated by the wine industry represent an important sustainability challenge but also a valuable resource for producing vermicompost-derived products with potential agricultural applications through vermicomposting. This study evaluated the effects of aqueous vermicompost extracts produced from winery residues on the early in vitro development and physiological performance of garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seedlings. Seedlings were cultivated on peat-based pellets (Jiffy-7®) under controlled conditions and treated with two extract concentrations (10% and 20%, w/v) or distilled water (control). After 30 days, morphological traits (shoot height, leaf number and biomass) and biochemical parameters (photosynthetic pigments and total phenolics) were assessed. Both species showed high survival rates (>85%) and no phytotoxic symptoms. Compared with the control, VE20% increased chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll contents in garden cress by 40.3%, 35.9%, and 38.9%, respectively, whereas VE10% increased chlorophyll a, total chlorophyll, and carotenoid contents in cucumber by 15.7%, 11.5%, and 25.0%, respectively. Total phenolic content did not differ significantly among treatments in either species (p > 0.05). These findings indicate that vermicompost extracts produced from winery residues exhibited low phytotoxic potential under the experimental conditions tested and influenced photosynthetic pigment accumulation without adversely affecting seedling growth. These responses warrant further investigation under ex vitro and field conditions to determine whether the observed physiological changes translate into relevant agronomic effects.