Title:
Production and Use of Co-Composted Biochar as Soil Amendment for Cannabis Sativa SP. Growth
Author(s):
Santunione, G., Turi, E., Paris, R., Francia, E., Montanari, M., Cannazza, G.
Document(s):
Paper
Poster
Abstract:
Biochar is a carbonaceous by-product of thermochemical conversion of ligno-cellulosic biomass. Its application to soil positively influences various soil physico-chemical properties. Biochar high specific surface area and high micro and macro porosity raise the soil water retention and nutrients absorptivity from the soil, enhancing biomass yield. However, biochar itself contains low nutrients amount and its amendment properties could be improved through organic matter addition, rich in microelements and nutrients. This work studies the integration of fresh organic matter and biochar in co-composting biochar process in order to investigate co-composted biochar (hereby called COMBI) effects on soil amelioration compared to biochar only. Specifically, biochar used in this study is the result of thermochemical conversion of lingo-cellulosic biomass waste through PP30 30 kW gasification power plant. Green matter comes from CREA Institute in Anzola (Bologna) hemp fields: after the fibers harvest, the organic wastes was collected and co-composted with biochar (15% v/v) to achieve a mature COMBI. The co-composting biochar process has been carried out in a 105 L volume composter for 3 weeks. It has been mixed by turning the composter to allow oxygenation during organic matter degradation reactions. The temperature profile, the humidity and the C/N content were monitored during the maturation process of COMBI. Then, COMBI has been applied to Cannabis sativa sp. pot growth test (Finola cultivar), where the effects of no amendment soil was used for control plants (C), 5% v/v biochar only amendment (5% B), 10% and 20% v/v co-composting biochar (10% COMBI and 20% COMBI) amendment soil were investigated and compared. The biomass production of Finola plants, the flowers weight and THC-CBD content were analyzed and ANOVA statistical analysis was performed among the four groups of plants.
Keywords:
biochar, co-composting, green waste, Cannabis sativa, amendment
Topic:
Sustainable Resources for Decarbonising the Economy
Subtopic:
Agroforestry residues and by-products
Event:
28th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
1DV.1.3
Pages:
113 - 117
ISBN:
978-88-89407-20-2
Paper DOI:
10.5071/28thEUBCE2020-1DV.1.3
Price:
FREE
