Dr. N. SAI BHASKAR REDDY

BIOCHAR & SOIL ENVIRONMENT

5 Feb 2016

BIOCHARBiochar is another name for charcoal used for purposes other than combustion.

Like all charcoal, biochar is created by the pyrolysis of biomass.

BIOCHARS

There are various types of biochars, based on feedstock's and production technologies.

Biochar as

Growth promoter

Soil conditioner

Soil amendment

Traditional use of biochar

BIOCHARCULTUREBiocharculture is a holistic approach that has been historically tested, traditionally practiced, is culturally integral, economically viable, socially responsible, environmentally sustainable, and agreeable as a policy.

The uses of biochar—as part of biocharculture—include its application in the areas of soil management, livestock, biomass energy, water purification, green habitats, sanitation, food, health, etc.

BIOCHARCULTURE ADAPTATION BENEFITS

Securing the crop from drought and climate

variabiiity

Reclaim the degraded soils water conservation

Lessen the impact of hazardous pesticides

and complex chemicals

reducing emissions and increasing the carbon

sequestration

Conversion of biomass into biochar

Increase in crop yieldincreases in C, N, pH, and available P to the

plants

Impacts of biochar last more than 1000 years.

Book published by MetaMeta, Netherlands, August 2014

SUSTAINABILITY OF BIOCHARBiocharculture integration into traditional and local practices should be encouraged. Encouraging local communities to produce and use biochar with locally available raw material is considered sustainable.

Biochar blends are mostly organic / natural

Major challenges

Climate change - variability - extremes

Soil fertility Water management

Impact of hazardous

pesticides and nitrogen fertilizers

Burning of crop residue

Alkalinity of soils

LAND DEGRADATION

use of complex chemical

fertilizers and pesticides

http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/w2612e/w2612emap12-e.pdf

Damage has occurred on 15 percent of the world’s total land area (13 percent light and moderate, 2 percent severe and very severe), mainly resulting from erosion, nutrient decline, salinization and physical compaction.

http://www.eoearth.org/edit/article/51cbeda07896bb431f692df8/

Developing Countries Climate• Arid and semi-arid areas account for one third of the earth’s surface land

area.• In many parts of the subhumid and semiarid tropics, crop yields are

declining on response to inputs such as fertilizers, and droughts and shortages of irrigation water are increasingly evident.

• Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia pose two different challenges in raising food production to meet their food needs.

• ICRISAT (1998) estimates that semi-arid areas, especially within the tropics, cover most parts of the developing nations in the world including Latin America, most parts of sub-Saharan Africa, a large portion of Eastern and Southern Africa and parts of India and South East Asia.

By 2030 ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters, and that progressively improve land and soil quality

Climate Smart Sustainable agriculture

Today’s challenges for sustainable agricultural development are to respond to increasing demand for food, adjust to rapid climate changes caused by global warming, and reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions (FAO 2008a).

Climate change mitigation in agriculture will require more efficient use of fertilizer, soil conservation, and better production management.

Under current fertilization practices, crop plant uptake of nitrogen as a nutrient is about 50 percent, with losses and emissions to the atmosphere through runoff and leaching from soil erosion (Takle and Hofstrand 2008; FAO 2001).

BENEFITS OF BIOCHAR

SOIL IMPROVEMENT

SOIL CONSERVATION

CROP YIELD INCREASE

ENVIRONMENTAL

CARBON SEQUESTRATI

ON

REDUCED GREEN HOUSE

GAS EMISSIONS

SECURING FROM CLIMATE

VARIABILITY

ONE OF THE GLOBAL

WARMING AND CLIMATE CHANGE

MITIGATION SOLUTIONS

LIVELIHOODS

INCREASED CROP YIELD

INCREASED INCOME

RECLAMATION OF DEGRADED SOILS

BIOLOGICAL

- INCREASED SOIL MOCROBES AND

FUNGI. REPULSION OF

ANTS AND TERMITES,

PHYSICAL

- SOIL MOISTURE RETENTION, SOIL

TEXTURE, AND TEMPERATURE, SURFACE AREA

CHEMICAL

RETENTION AND ACCESS OF NITROGEN,

PHOSPHOROUS, ADSORBTION OF

HAZARDOUS PESTICIDES

POLICY

TECHNOLOGY

RESEARCH

LOCAL PRACTICES

BIOCHARCHARCOAL

PLUS AMENDMENTS

TO SOIL

BIOCHAR FRAMEWORK

Other Environmental Applications

RECENT STUDIES / REPORTS

Incr

ease

d su

stai

nabi

lity

by a

...

Incr

ease

d fe

rtiliz

er u

se e

ffic.

..

Incr

ease

d w

ater

use

effi

cien

cy

Decr

ease

d N2

O a

nd o

ther

G...

Envi

ronm

enta

l hyg

iene

thro

u...

Envi

ronm

enta

l hyg

iene

thro

u...

impr

oved

pes

t res

ista

nce0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8N

o. o

f res

pons

esBIOCHAR APPLICATION

Source: World Bank

•

BIOCHAR PROJECTS - COUNTRY WISE

http://dx.doi.org/10.1596/978-0-8213-9525-7

BIOCHAR PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES

http://dx.doi.org/10.1596/978-0-8213-9525-7

BIOCHAR FEEDSTOCKS

http://dx.doi.org/10.1596/978-0-8213-9525-7

SOURCES OF BIOMASS FOR BIOCHAR

CROP RESIDUE (800 million tons of biomass burnt)

COTTON STALKS (22.3 million tons generated)

PROSOPIS JULIFLORA

RICE HUSK

OTHER BIOMASS

(in India)

Plants

Stoves

Biochar

Soil FertilityCarbon SequestrationEmission reductionWater conservation

EnergyEmissions reductionBiomass conservationBiochar as byproduct

Carbon as biocharWater and fertilizers conservationCarbon sequestration

Note: Presenter has designed low cost highly efficient 50 good stoves that produce biochar as a byproduct. http://goodstove.com Also see the book Understanding Stoves http://metameta.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Understanding-Stoves-okt-10-webversion.pdf

BIOCHAR PRODUCING STOVES

CHARCOAL PRODUCTION

A B C

CHIMNEY

PRIMARY AIR

SECONDARY AIR

GEO metal retort

Magh biochar retort 2

Magh biochar retort 1

BIOCHAR PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES

BIOCHAR COMPOST

JAGGERYCOMPOST

BIOCHAR

SOIL MICROBES

GREEN MULCH

BIOCHAR COMPOST BIN

EFFICIENT, CONVENIENT AND LOW-COST CONVERSION OF DOMESTIC BIOWASTE INTO COMPOST USING BIOCHAR

COMPOST REMOVAL OPENING FOR LARGE SIZE BIN Dr. N. Sai Bhaskar Reddy

BIOCHAR COMPOSTING BIN (CYLINDRICAL) WITH PLANTS (AEROBIC)

BIOCHAR COMPOSTING BIN WITH PLANTS (AEROBIC)

BIOCHAR

LEACHETS

COMPOST BIN WITH HOLES

COMPOST BIN = FOOD WASTE (1 PART)+ SAW DUST / DRY LEAVES (2 PARTS) + BIOCHAR POWDER (1 PART)

COMPOST

COVER

COMPOST REMOVAL OPENING FOR LARGE SIZE BIN

HAND WASH

Dr. N. Sai Bhaskar Reddy

BIOCHAR COMPOSTING BIN (CONICAL) WITH PLANTS (AEROBIC)

COMPOST REMOVAL OPENING FOR LARGE SIZE BIN Dr. N. Sai Bhaskar Reddy

BIOCHAR COMPOST BIN USES

CONVERTING BIOWASTE INTO COMPOST

BIOCHAR COMPOSTING

2 / 3 WEEKS TO CONVERT BIOMASS INTO COMPOST

AEROBIC COMPOSTING – NO SMELL

MANAGEMENT OF WASTE IN URBAN AREAS

VALUE ADDITION TO WASTE

COLLECTION OF LEACHATE

BATCH LOADING OF COMPOST MATERIAL AND REMOVAL FACILITY

ADOPTABLE IN URBAN AREAS WITH LESS SPACE

HAND WASH FACILITY

GROWING PLANTS IN THE COMPOST OTHER BENEFITS

Dr. N. Sai Bhaskar Reddy

http://dx.doi.org/10.1596/978-0-8213-9525-7

BIOCHAR APPLICATION METHODS

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

CROP YIELD INCREASE

SOIL IMPROVEMENT

WAGES FROM PRODUCTION

INCOME FROM SALE

INCREASE IN YIELD AND PRODUCTION

TEST PLOTS CONTROL BIOCHAR COMPOST

4 KGS 8 KGS 12 KGS

All farmers can adopt biochar, and one need not be

in a hurry to apply large quantities to achieve a bumper yield. Annual

incremental application is more sustainable for the

farmer and for the environment.

Biochar application reduces the burden of farmers in several ways, namely by maintaining and enhancing soil fertility.

Incremental biochar compost application

- Soil microbes adapt to the new environment.

- In the initial phase, some biochar removes salts and other poisons from the soil, which is a process that requires some time. The later subsequent application of biochar compost improves soil conditions.

- With the application of biochar compost structure and texture of the soil changes over a period of time.

- Incremental application addresses the sustainable use of biomass, which is converted into biochar.

- For the user, the burden of the cost of application of biochar compost is not high if applied incrementally.

Biochar protects and enhances both macro and micro biodiversity.

Microbial habitats are enhanced through the unique structure and

properties of biochar. Biochar-amended soils have higher

microbial biodiversity.

Biochar amended soils show high levels of microbial biodiversity.

Biochar is like a coral reef for the soil, creating a great habitat for all

soil life diversity.

Biochar and soil microbes minimize the use of purchasing inputs and

maximize the efficiency of soil microbes use.

The author has developed an area with 200 species of plants

conserved on half–an-acre of land to develop soil microbial culture

for inoculation into biochar.

Physical - Biochar reduces soil bulk density.

- Biochar increases soil aeration.

- Biochar changes the soil structure and texture through changes in physical and chemical properties.

- Biochar lessens the hardening of soils.

- Biochar helps to reclaim degraded soils.

- Increased Cation Exchange Capacity.

Chemical - Biochar reduces soil acidity by increasing pH (also called the liming effect).

- Biochar helps soil retain nutrients and fertilizers (Lehmann, 2006 in Hansen, 2008).

- The application of biochar improves soil fertility via two mechanisms: (1) by adding nutrients to the soil (such as K, to a limited extent P, and micronutrients); (2) by retaining nutrients from other sources including nutrients from the soil itself.

- Biochar increases C, N, and P availability to plants, because biochar absorbs and slowly releases fertilizer.

- Biochar increases in the soil levels of available Ca, Mg, P, and K.

- Biochar helps to prevent fertilizer runoff and leaching, allowing the use of less fertilizer and diminishing agricultural pollution to the surrounding environment.

Biochar mitigates the impact of hazardous pesticides and nitrogen fertilizers on the local environment and ecology.

- Biochar absorbs complex fertilizers and pesticides in soil, thus lessening their impacts.

Biological - Biochar increases soil microbial respiration by creating space for soil microbes.

- It increases soil biodiversity and soil-life density in the presence of organic carbon.

- Biochar increases arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi. Soil aggregation also improves due to increased fungal hyphae.

Biochar helps to lessen the impacts of termites on the biomass in agricultural field.

The presence and density of earthworms increase in soil treated with biochar over time.

Ants are more repellent to the freshly added biochar, and over a period of time the biochar’s impact on ants lessens.

1.5 FEET 6 FEET

CONTROL BIOCHAR

LIVELIHOODS• Agriculture productivity increases• Low input agricultureNatural

• Local jobs and equity• Local enterprisesSocial

• Least skills required• BiocharcultureHuman

• Local technologies• Low energy Physical

• Low carbon economy• Low costFinancial

• Carbon sequestration and energy security• Mitigation and adaptation to climate changeEnvironment

MARKETLow price of biochar in the developing countries might trigger exports

Subsidies a hindrance

Lack of awareness

Gardening

Agriculture (Large Farms)

Household

Others

PRICE OF BIOCHARUnblended biochar and biochar products blended with other materials are being sold in many countries at a wide range of retail prices ranging from $0.08 to $13.48 per kilogram. The average price reported was $2.48 per kilogram.

http://www.biochar-international.org/State_of_industry_2013

http://dx.doi.org/10.1596/978-0-8213-9525-7

UTILIZATION OF BIOCHAR PRODUCT

CULTURAL

SPIRITUAL

BELIEFS

RITUALS

FESTIVALS

ALTARS

CREMATION

SOURCES (BIOMASS)

GOOD STOVES• TLUDs• Other

stoves

CROP RESIDUE

POULTRY LITTER

WASTE MANAGEMENT• Sludge

PRACTICES

FOOD PRESERVING

FOOD

CLEANING

MEDICINE

MATTRESS

TOOTH POWDER

AIR QUALITY• CO2 / CH4WATER

TREATMENT

AQUARIUM /

TERRARIUMS

BIOCHAR BRICKS

BIOCHAR

URINALS

SOAK PITS

FILTERING MEDIA

INSECT REPELLE

NT

SOIL AMENDMENT

INCREASED PRODUCTI

ONSOIL

TEMPERATURE

REGULATED

MOISTURE RETENTION

WATER CONSERVA

TION

NITROGEN /

PHOSPHOROUS

RETENTION

NURSERIESPESTICIDES ADBSORBTI

ON

SOIL MICROBES DENSITY

INCREASE

BIOCHAR COMPOST

EARTHWORMS

INCREASE

TERMITES / ANTS

REPULSION

CARBON SEQUESTRA

TION

ANIMALS

POULTRY - CH4

REDUCTION

LIVESTOCK - URINE AND

DUNG

FYM / COMPOST

BIOMASS

BIOCHAR

BIOCHARCULTURE

SOIL AMENDMENT

INCREASED PRODUCTION

SOIL TEMPERATURE REGULATED

MOISTURE RETENTION

WATER CONSERVATI

ON

NITROGEN / PHOSPHORO

US RETENTION

NURSERIES

PESTICIDES ADBSORBTIO

N

SOIL MICROBES DENSITY

INCREASE

BIOCHAR COMPOST

EARTHWORMS INCREASE

TERMITES & ANTS

REPULSION

CARBON SEQUESTRATI

ON

METHANE EMISSIONS REDUCTION

LIVESTOCK URINE

BIOCHAR URINALS

POTTERY SHARDS

BIOCHAR IN LIVING PLACES

W A T E RWATER & NUTRIENTS

ROOTIGATION

BIOCHAR URBAN GARDENS

ADVANTAGES OF BIOCHAR URBAN GARDENSLess weight and insulation to the rooftops

Economic savings through access to self grown food

Utilization of urban organic waste for biochar compost.

Aesthetics and green spaces on rooftops

FLOATIGATIONGROWING CROPS ON RESERVOIRS / TANKS / IRIGATION CANALS / DRINAGE SYSTEMS, ETC.

FLOATIGATION

FLOATIGATION

FLOATIGATION

TELANGANG MAP

KAKATIYA KALATORANAM

FISH SHAPEFISH

BOAT

FLOATIGATION

Way Forward: Floating Garden and Parks

FLOATS (THERMOCOL / PLASTICS)

BIOCHAR + (MEDIA FOR GROWTH)

FLOATIGATION ON CANAL / DRAINAGE FOR CROPS

PADDY

FLOATIGATION ON CANALS / DRAIANGE FOR CROPS

CROSS SECTION OF FLOATIGATION

BIOCHAR + (MEDIA FOR GROWTH)

PLANTS

© DR. N. SAI BHASKAR REDDY

FLOATIGATION

SUNLIGHT GREEN HOUSE EFFECT(SALT WATER EVAPORATES INTO FRESH WATER)

SEA WATER / BRACKISH WATER / POLLUTED WATER / FLOOD WATER

FRESH WATER (FLOWS INTO BIOCHAR)

RAIN WATER

© DR. N. SAI BHASKAR REDDY

FLOATIGATION

DROUGHT TOLERANT GARDENS

LOW WATER REQUIREMENT, PERENIAL GREENARY, AESTHETICS, ADAPTATION, SOLAR RADIATION,

MAINTENANCE FREE

Biochar Mobile Gardens

GREENERY

WALKWAYS, PARKS & TRAFFIC ISLANDS

THANK YOU …Ref: http//