RHC-composting study from Malaysia

Characterization of Local Mill Rice Husk Charcoal and Its Effect on Compost Properties

EFB biochar, composting in Indonesia

Formulation of Biochar-Compost and Phosphate Solubilizing Fungi from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch to Improve Growth of Maize in an Ultisol of Central Kalimantan

Gusti Irya Ichriani ^{1, 2},  Syehfani Syehfani ³,  Yulia Nuraini ³,  Eko Handayanto ⁴  

ABSTRACT:

The efficiency of phosphorus uptake by plants in an Ultisol soil is very low because most of soil phosphorus is precipitated by Al and Fe. Oil palm empty fruit bunches can be used as basic materials of biochar and compost, and as sources of isolates of phosphate solubilizing fungi. This study was aimed to elucidate the effect of application of phosphate solubilizing fungi with biochar and compost generated from oil palm empty fruit bunches on growth and yield of maize an Ultisol of Central Kalimantan. This study consisted of two experiments. The first experiment was inoculation of four isolates of phosphate solubilizing fungi isolated from of oil palm empty fruit bunches, i.e. Acremonium (TB1), Aspergillus (TM7), Hymenella (TM1) and Neosartorya (TM8) to 'biocom' media (mixture of biochar and compost generated from oil palm empty fruit bunches) to obtain phosphate solubilizing fungi that can adapt to the media. In the second experiment, the best results in the first experiment were applied to an Ultisol soil planted with maize. The results showed that isolates that were best adapted to biocom media were Aspergillus-TB7 with 60:40 proportion (60% biochar + 40% compost) and Neosartorya-TM8 with 70:30 proportions (60% biochar + 40% compost). The application of the first experiment results to the second experiment showed that the application of biocom plus Neosartorya-TM8 (BTM) on an Ultisol soil significantly improved growth and yield of maize, as well as phosphorus uptake and efficiency of phosphorus uptake by maize.

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR:

Eko Handayanto   

Research Centre for Management of Degraded and Mining Lands, Brawijaya University, Jl. Veteran, Malang 65145, Indonesia

EFB biochar for improved maize production - Indonesia

Formulation of Biochar-Compost and Phosphate Solubilizing Fungi from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch to Improve Growth of Maize in an Ultisol of Central Kalimantan

ABSTRACT:

The efficiency of phosphorus uptake by plants in an Ultisol soil is very low because most of soil phosphorus is precipitated by Al and Fe. Oil palm empty fruit bunches can be used as basic materials of biochar and compost, and as sources of isolates of phosphate solubilizing fungi. This study was aimed to elucidate the effect of application of phosphate solubilizing fungi with biochar and compost generated from oil palm empty fruit bunches on growth and yield of maize an Ultisol of Central Kalimantan. This study consisted of two experiments. The first experiment was inoculation of four isolates of phosphate solubilizing fungi isolated from of oil palm empty fruit bunches, i.e. Acremonium (TB1), Aspergillus (TM7), Hymenella (TM1) and Neosartorya (TM8) to 'biocom' media (mixture of biochar and compost generated from oil palm empty fruit bunches) to obtain phosphate solubilizing fungi that can adapt to the media. In the second experiment, the best results in the first experiment were applied to an Ultisol soil planted with maize. The results showed that isolates that were best adapted to biocom media were Aspergillus-TB7 with 60:40 proportion (60% biochar + 40% compost) and Neosartorya-TM8 with 70:30 proportions (60% biochar + 40% compost). The application of the first experiment results to the second experiment showed that the application of biocom plus Neosartorya-TM8 (BTM) on an Ultisol soil significantly improved growth and yield of maize, as well as phosphorus uptake and efficiency of phosphorus uptake by maize.

Malaysian research findings on Rice Husk Charcoal for Composting

Characterization of Local Mill Rice Husk Charcoal and its Effect on Compost Properties

https://www.academia.edu/36486554/Characterization_of_Local_Mill_Rice_Husk_Charcoal_and_Its_Effect_on_Compost_Properties

Biochar trench production and hoof processing

Biochar - Yahoo Groups

Frits work with integrating TFOD trench biochar production with cattle stalls in Mozambique looks like a practical solution for a number of situations. Could raw, lumpy charcoal be provided as bedding for cattle, goats, horses and pigs, thereby crushing the char, capturing nutrients, reducing emissions, reducing odour / fly /insect pests, improving animal health and comfort, preparing biochar for composting or direct soil amendment.

Biochar, compost and soil remediation

Role of biochar on composting of organic wastes and remediation of contaminated soils—a review

Abstract

Biochar is produced by pyrolysis of biomass residues under limited oxygen conditions. In recent years, biochar as an amendment has received increasing attention on composting and soil remediation, due to its unique properties such as chemical recalcitrance, high porosity and sorption capacity, and large surface area. This paper provides an overview on the impact of biochar on the chemical characteristics (greenhouse gas emissions, nitrogen loss, decomposition and humification of organic matter) and microbial community structure during composting of organic wastes. This review also discusses the use of biochar for remediation of soils contaminated with organic pollutants and heavy metals as well as related mechanisms. Besides its aging, the effects of biochar on the environment fate and efficacy of pesticides deserve special attention. Moreover, the combined application of biochar and compost affects synergistically on soil remediation and plant growth. Future research needs are identified to ensure a wide application of biochar in composting and soil remediation.

Graphical abstract

Composting with Biochar Training Workshop - Malaysia, 5-6 April

Following on from the success of the Thailand biochar workshop (see earlier post below) the organisers of new workshop in Malaysia have agreed to open this up for public participation. Less than 3 weeks away so act fast if you are interested...

Composting with Biochar Training Workshop - Batu Pahat, 5-6 April

Top Fruits Sdn Bhd are the leading durian production, processing and exporting company in Malaysia. They will be hosting a compost training workshop at their farm and processing facilities near Batu Pahat on the 5th and 6th of April.

The training will be a mix of theory and practice (mainly practice), based on underlying permaculture principles and will draw in new innovation around the inclusion of biochar into the compost system. The training will be led by Harbir Gill, a well know local permaculturist, garden innovator and expert in compost production. He will be assisted by Trevor Richards, long time Malaysian resident and local expert on all things related to biochar.

The target audience is small to medium scale commercial horticulture and orchards /plantations. Don’t believe the entrenched dogma that composting in the tropics is not practical or economic... carbon is the future for sustainable soils and agriculture.

Program (preliminary)

Day 1

Composting production and application principles

Field session: Compost evaluation

Field session: Build a 3-bin compost system

Plantation tour - identify / recover biomass sources

Day 2

Biochar introduction

Building 1st compost heap

Compost amendments

Compost monitoring and improvement

Cost: RM250 /day

Transport: Car sharing from KL anticipated

Accommodation: plenty of options in and around Batu Pahat

Needs: outdoor clothing, hat, sunscreen,

Morning and afternoon tea will be provided.

For queries and booking:

Trina Wong: trinawong@fruits-tech.com.my, 012-223 3615

Trevor: trevor@soilcarbon.org.nz, 012-659 1430

IBI Webinar#2: Biochar and composting

February 27, 2017 • 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm ET

The economic and environmental benefits of co-composting and blending biochar and compost have been proven not just in academic research but also by businesses in the composting indistry.  This webinar provides both a scientific and industry perspective of these benefits.  Attendees learn what feedstocks are best used composts versus biochars, what production parameters produce the best biochars for compost blending and co-composting, the impact of co-composting and blending on biochar properties, N losses, compost mineralization and greenhouse gas emissions.  They will also hear from an expert from the composting industry with several years of successful trials and market experience with mixing compost and biochar.  An interactive Q&A period will follow.

When?

Date: February 27, 2017
Time: 1:00 - 2:30 pm ET

REGISTERING FOR THE WEBINAR

IBI Members: FREE with code*
Non-Members: $40
Register here>>
*IBI Members can register for free using the discount code which has been emailed to all current IBI members.  If you have not received this discount code, you may renew your membership or join IBI here: http://www.biochar-international.org/join.  If you have any issues renewing your membership status, please send an email to: bschorr@ttcorp.com.  For other registration-related questions, please send an email to: vmedici@ttcorp.com.
Alternatively, non-IBI members may attend for a non-member rate of $40 or consider joining IBI to take advantage of member benefits including future webinars and book discounts.  Upon completion of this form and successful payment processing, you will receive a link to join the webinar on February 27.
Moderator:
Kathleen Draper
Kathleen is a member of the IBI Board and Chair of IBI's Information Hub.  She is also the US Director of the Ithaka Institute for Carbon Intelligence.  The Institute is an open source network focusing on beneficial carbon sequestration strategies which simultaneously provide economic development opportunities both in the developed and devloping world.  She is an editor and writer for The Biochar Journal, sponsored by the Ithaka Institute.  Kathleen also works with various different universities and individuals on projects that are investigating the use of biochar in cement and other building and packaging products with lower embodied carbon which can be made from locally available organic waste.  She has written extensively about various topics related to biochar and is a co-author of the book "Terra Preta: How the World's Most Fertile Soil Can Help Reverse Climate Change and Reduce World Hunger".
Presenter:
Dr. Miguel Angel Sanchez Monedero, Researcher, Spanish National Research Council
Dr. Sanchez Monedero has a BSc and PhD in Chemistry from the University of Murcia and MSc in Chemical Engineering from The University of Leeds (UK).  His research career has included: CEBAS-CSIC (Spain), The University of Udine (Italy) and The University of Leeds (UK).  Miguel's main research interests are: recycling of organic wastes through composting, C and N dynamics during composting and after soil application, environmental impact of the composting process (greenhouse gas emissions, bioaerosols), the impact of biochar on soil nutrient cycling and greenhouyse gas emissions and organic matter humification.

Presenter:
Jack Houck, Vice-President Environmental Services, Rexius
Jack Houck oversees all environmental and safety issues for Rexius, a company focused on recycling and processing organic waste and wood residual materials for the landscape, agricultural and environmental industries.  Jack is also responsible for all efforts in recycling and composting for the Rexius Company and is considered to be a leading expert on composting methods and strategies while working extensively on product improvement and development.

For More Information
What questions do you have about biochar quality and use?  Please send your questions by February 23rd to webinars@biochar-international.org.  For more information of if you have any questions about registration, please email Vera Medici at vmedici@ttcorp.com.
Want to become an IBI member?  Visit our membership page to help support IBI!

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Terra Preta - How to make the best Organic Gardening soil on the Planet?

BIORICHAR - new product release from Malaysia

Theeba Manickam has been leading biochar research at MARDI for a number of years. It is great to see some commercial progress in Malaysia.



(not sure how to edit the video HTML to smaller screen size... try right click and 'full screen' to view)

Climate change and biochar

I've recently posted to the NZ biochar interest group (AllBlackEarth) on 3 very interesting video presentations that tie biochar into climate change and other environmental issues. Do check them out if this subject is of interest to you...

• http://soilcarbon.org.nz/dave-montgomery-dirt-the-erosion-of-civilizations/
• http://soilcarbon.org.nz/climate-emergency-countdown/
• http://soilcarbon.org.nz/thomas-rippel-and-his-world-of-sht/

Biochar, compost and tree growth research from Singapore

 Dr Subhadip Ghosh from the Centre for Urban Greenery and Ecology, National Parks Board, Singapore and two colleagues from the University of New England in NSW, Australia published the following paper early last year. The paper is listed with IBI but I managed to miss the release...

Influence of biochar and compost on soil properties and tree growth in a tropical urban environment

Abstract (<

Research relating to the use of organic amendments on soils has focused largely on agricultural soils, and there is a lack of information worldwide on their efficacy as amendments for urban soil management, especially in tropical urban environments. A pot experiment was conducted to assess the influence of biochar and organic compost on urban soil properties and on tree growth performance in Singapore. Biochar and compost were mixed with topsoil in different proportions, and two urban tree species commonly grown in Singapore (Samanea saman and Suregada multiflora) were used. There were significant additional height increments for both the tree species following application of biochar. S. saman exhibited greater stem elongation compared with S. multiflora in response to organic amendments. A significantly higher foliar N content was found in both tree species in biochar-amended treatments along with significant increases in P and K. Increases in soil nutrient concentrations were also observed in combined biochar–compost treatments for both species. Combined compost and biochar had the strongest effects on soils and growth of the two urban tree species examined and applications containing biochar resulted in the most significant soil improvements.

Biochar and compost – important information

This should prove to be a valuable contribution to the accumulated knowledge on the benefits of combining biochar and compost...
http://soilcarbon.org.nz/new-publication-with-sections-on-biochar-and-compost/

Note "Integrated solutions in Vietnam", page 49

ECHO Asia Biochar Initiatives - Thailand

I have a PDF version of the following report from ECHO Asia in Thailand (with photos) which can be provided upon request.

"The ECHO Asia Impact Center in Chiang Mai, Thailand has been researching and promoting biochar since 2011 for its potential role in soil improvement. Biochar seems especially well-suited to offer positive soil building properties and climate change mitigation strategies for smallholder farmers in Asia.

In August of 2012, ECHO Asia began conducting a 3-year randomized complete block field experiment to test the effects of biochar on plant health and growth at the ECHO Asia Seed Bank in Mae Ai, Thailand. Four raised beds (8m X 90cm) made out of cement bricks and filled with local soil were utilized, and experimental units (four per bed, measuring 1.5m X 90cm with 50cm buffer space) were physically separated with plastic lined cement bricks to prevent migration of nutrients, biochar, and earthworms. Bamboo char was made from Dendrocalamusstrictus using a TLUD made from a 55-gallon drum. Treatments were: 1) control soil without amendments, 2) soil with compost added; 3) soil with char added; and 4) soil with biochar added (equal parts of char and hog manure compost left to age for 3 months). All additions to the experimental units were made on an equal weight basis of 2kg m-2.

Two cropping cycles per year will be utilized, with the first cycle comprised of 6 plants of direct-seeded grain amaranth and 6 transplants of ‘Clemson Spinless’ okra, and the second cycle comprised of 6 plants of direct-seeded foxtail millet and 6 transplants of yellow eggplant in every experimental unit. This cropping cycle arrangement will be followed for three years without additional fertility inputs. Dependent variables include soil testing of the experimental units, soil testing of the amendments, plant height, plant yield, % necrosis and chlorosis, and chlorophyll content (as a proxy for nitrogen deficiency) using an atLEAF+ meter (similar to a SPAD meter). The first year of cropping is finished, but results have yet to be analyzed.

The office also has plans to start another experiment that will investigate the properties of different chars made from different feedstocks using different gasification stoves. The goal is to determine the boil time for a predetermined amount of water from a pre-determined amount of feedstock, the amount of resultant char, the temperatures achieved by feedstock and stove type, and the properties of the resulting char (pH, CEC, etc.)."

Abram J. Bicksler, Ph.D.
Director, ECHO Asia Impact Center, Chiang Mai, Thailand
http://echonet.org/asia-impact-center/

 

Stephen Joseph - Biochar R&D in Asia and Australia

This is a followup to my earlier post on the British Biochar Foundation conference video coverage. This keynote address has a lot of interesting information on biochar activity in Asia - highly recommended...

Characterization of Local Mill Rice Husk Charcoal and Its Effect on Compost Properties

Theeba, Scientist and biochar researcher at MARDI, has previously provided access to the following research paper on Rice Husk Char. I am re-posting this final version for submission to the IBI bibliography. The RHC was not assessed under IBI product certification guidelines but it does appear to meet the "Test Category A - Basic Utility Properties" for Class 3 biochar. The product has a long history of local use as cost effective growing medium. A search on this website for 'rice' will provide links to many previous posts related to the subject of RHC.

The commercialisation of compost products based around this research is under investigation by MARDI.

Abstract

"Rice Husk Charcoal (RHC) is a by-product of rice processing mills which can be found in very large quantities in these mills. This industrial waste is largely unutilized, causing environmental pollution especially in the state of Kelantan. In order to increase its utilization, RHC was characterized and investigated for its potential in enhancing the composting process. Physico-chemical properties of RHC such as pH, nutrient content, ash content, CEC, adsorption kinetics, surface area, functional groups, surface structure and pore sizes were studied. The composting treatments were carried out by mixing 4% (wt/wt) and 6% (wt/wt) RHC with organic substrates and with no RHC amended as control. Parameters such as daily temperature, CO fux, nutrient content, pH, moisture and total microbial count were measured during the composting process. Results showed that RHC is a highly alkaline material (pH 8.9) with a carbon content of 16% (wt/wt dry basis), CEC of 17cmol kg-1 soil, BET surface area of 401 mg g-1 and a methylene blue adsorption capacity of 38.8 mg g-1. The presence of C=O carboxyl-C, ketones and ester, aliphatic C=H, C=C benzene ring and C-H aromatic hydrogen suggests that RHC mainly comprises amorphous char, a random mixture of thermally altered molecules and aromatic polycondensates.The addition of RHC to organic matter accelerated the composting process through higher decomposition rates due to higher microbial population at the thermophilic stage with RHC acting as a bulking agent, as well as higher moisture and nutrient retention during composting. N losses were found to be lower with RHC composting
Rice Husk Charcoal (RHC) is a by-product of rice processing mills which can be found in very large quantities in these mills. This industrial waste is largely unutilized, causing environmental pollution especially in the state of Kelantan. In order to increase its utilization, RHC was characterized and investigated for its potential in enhancing the composting process. Physico-chemical properties of RHC such as pH, nutrient content, ash content, CEC, adsorption kinetics, surface area, functional groups, surface structure and pore sizes were studied. The composting treatments were carried out by mixing 4% (wt/wt) and 6% (wt/wt) RHC with organic substrates and with no RHC amended as control. Parameters such as daily temperature, CO fux, nutrient content, pH, moisture and total microbial count were measured during the composting process. Results showed that RHC is a highly alkaline material (pH 8.9) with a carbon content of 16% (wt/wt dry basis), CEC of 17cmol kg-1 soil, BET surface area of 401 mg g-1 and a methylene blue adsorption capacity of 38.8 mg g-1. The presence of C=O carboxyl-C, ketones and ester, aliphatic C=H, C=C benzene ring and C-H aromatic hydrogen suggests that RHC mainly comprises amorphous char, a random mixture of thermally altered molecules and aromatic polycondensates.The addition of RHC to organic matter accelerated the composting process through higher decomposition rates due to higher microbial population at the thermophilic stage with RHC acting as a bulking agent, as well as higher moisture and nutrient retention during composting. N losses were found to be lower with RHC composting."

https://www.dropbox.com/s/4y0ycvbzqpo6w6b/Theeba.pdf

Lek Komes School - biochar production and application in Thailand

Bryan Hugill from Raitong Organics Farm in Thailand has provided the following facebook link to a photo diary on biochar related activity in Bangkok. A short description is provided with a click to the photo.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.512388992173703.1073741830.189558454456760&type=1. 

Characterization of Local Mill Rice Husk Charcoal and Its Effect on Compost Properties

This new publication on rice husk char application and testing can be added to the extensive list of research papers and interest in using these crop wastes as a biochar soil amendment. A search on this website for 'rice' will provide links to 14 previous posts related to the subject of RHC.
ABSTRACT
"Rice husk charcoal (RHC) is a by-product of rice processing mills which can befound in very large quantities in these mills. This industrial waste is largely unutilized, causing environmental pollution especially in the state of Kelantan. In order to increase its utilization, RHC was characterized and investigated for its potential in enhancing the composting process. Physico-chemical properties of RHC such as pH, nutrient content, ash content, CEC, adsorption kinetics, surface area, functional groups, surface structure and pore sizes were studied. The composting treatments were carried out by mixing 4% (wt/wt) and 6% wt/wt) RHC with organic substrates and with no RHC amended as control. Parameters such as daily temperature, CO2 flux, nutrient content, pH, moisture and total microbial count were measured during the composting process. Results showed that RHC is a highly alkaline material (pH 8.9) with a carbon content of 16% (wt/wt dry basis), CEC of 17cmol kg-1soil, BET surface area of 401 mg g-1 and a methylene blue Adsorption capacity of 38.8 mg g-1. The presence of C=O carboxyl-C, ketones and ester, aliphatic C=H, C=C benzene ring and C-H aromatic hydrogen suggests that RHC mainly comprises amorphous char, a random mixture of thermally altered molecules and aromatic polycondensates. The addition of RHC to organic matter accelerated the composting process through higher decomposition rates due to higher microbial population at the thermophilic stage with RHC acting as a bulking agent, as well as higher moisture and nutrient retention during composting. N losses were found to be lower with RHC composting."

Theeba, M.1*, Robert T. Bachmann2, Illani Z.I1, Zulkefli M1, Husni M.H.A3 and Samsuri A.W3
1Water and Soil Management Programme, Malaysian Agricultural Research Institute (MARDI) Persiaran UPM-MARDI, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
2Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Institute of Chemical and Bioengineering Technology (UNIKL-MICET), 78000 Alor Gajah Melaka, Malaysia
3Department of Land Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia , 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, MalaysiaKeywords: Rice husk charcoal, composting, physico-chemical, decomposition, nutrient retention
http://www.msss.com.my/mjss/Full%20Text/Vol%2016/Theeba.pdf
(I got a link warning on the msss site which I ignored. But please contact me if you want a copy of the report by email)

Synergisms between Compost and Biochar for Sustainable Soil Amelioration

The link below leads to a detailed new report on...
"Synergisms between Compost and Biochar for Sustainable Soil Amelioration"
by...
Daniel Fischer* and Bruno Glaser
Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg,
Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, Soil Biogeochemistry, Halle, Germany
http://cdn.intechopen.com/pdfs/27163/InTech-Synergisms_between_compost_and_biochar_for_sustainable_soil_amelioration.pdf

TESS to lead $1 million compost-biochar CFI project

This work in tropical Queensland may have future application and interest in SEA...

"TESS researcher Michael Bird will lead a consortium that will field trial compost, biochar and compost-biochar (COMBI) mixes on nine farms in North Queensland. The project is funded by the Federal Governments DAFF Carbon Farmin INitiative - Filling the Research Gap program.

Compost and biochar are used separately for improving soil condition and sequestering carbon, and have been shown to be of particular benefit in tropical agricultural soils. This project will mix biochar with organic waste prior to composting (COMBI-mix) to synergistically enhance the acknowledged benefits of both materials. We will (i) trial business as usual, compost alone, biochar alone, COMBI-mix and compost mixed with biochar at nine field sites across North Queensland, (ii) determine the impact of each on carbon sequestration, GHG fluxes and crop performance (iii) provide inputs to better model soil carbon in agricultural systems and (iv) model costs/benefits at the farm/regional/industry scale.

Funding body: DAFF - Carbon Farming Futures - Filling the Research Gap Programme"

Professor Michael Bird FRSE
Federation Fellow

Director, Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Science
School of Earth and Environmental Sciences
James Cook University
PO Box 6811 Cairns
Queensland, 4870, Australia
Phone:  +61-7-4042-1137
Fax: +61-7-4042-1284
email: michael.bird@jcu.edu.au
location: building A2 room 219

https://plone.jcu.edu.au/researchatjcu/research/tess/