Biochar enhances animal growth

Effect of biochar on growth performance of local “Yellow” cattle fed ensiled cassava roots, fresh brewers’ grains and rice straw

Bounthavy Vongkhamchanh, T R Preston[1], R A Leng[2], Le Van An[3] and Duong Thanh Hai[3]

Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Champasack University, Champasak, Lao PDR vongkhamchanhd@yahoo.com
1 Centro para la Investigación en Sistemas Sostenibles de Producción Agropecuaria (CIPAV), Carrera 25 No 6-62 Cali, Colombia
2 University of New England, Armidale NSW, Australia
3 Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University, Vietnam

Abstract

In a 56-day experiment with 6 local Yellow cattle fed ensiled cassava root-urea, brewers’ grains and rice straw, there were indications (p=0.08) that after an initial 4-week adaptation to the diet, the cattle were growing faster when 1% of biochar (derived from rice husk) was incorporated in the diet.

Effect of biochar and biodigester effluent in Lao PDR

Effect of biochar and biodigester effluent on yield of Taro (Colocasia esculenta) foliage

Bounmay Bouaravong, Nguyen Nhut Xuan Dung¹ and T R Preston²

Plant Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, Savannaket University, Savannnaket province, Lao PDR
bbounmay@yahoo.com
¹ Cantho University, Vietnam
² Centro para la Investigación en Sistemas Sostenibles de Producción Agropecuaria (CIPAV), Carrera 25 No 6-62 Cali, Colombia

Abstract

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate effects ef soil amendment with biochar and biodigester effluent on biomass yield of Taro.  In the first experimemt, five levels of biochar (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 kg/m²) were applied to Taro grown in 3*3m plots according to a completely randomized (CRD) design with 4 replicates. All plots were fertilized with biodigester effluent at the rate of 50 kg  N/ha. There were linear increases in yield of Taro leaves and petioles, and in their content of crude protein, when biochar was applied to the soil at levels from 0 to 2 kg/m². Soil fertility as measured by pH, water-holding capacity and nitrogen content was increased linearly according to the level of biochar.
In the second experiment, five levels of biodigester effluent  (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 kg N/ha) were applied to to Taro grown in 1*1m plots that had been amended with 2 kg/m² of biochar. Applying biodigester effluent at levels up to 100 kg N/ha resulted in linear increases in biomass yield and in crude protein content of leaves and petioles and to increased soil fertility as measured by pH, water-holding capacity and nitrogen content.

Biochar project funding opportunity - extended deadline

CfP-8 Proposal Preparation Support the deadline for submission of proposals of CfP-8 has been extended to 31 August 2017. Please contact us at your convenience if you require guidance and assistance in preparing your project proposal in a a professional way. CALL-FOR-PROPSALS - CFP-8 EEP Mekong Programme The Energy and Environment Partnership Programme with the Mekong Region - EEP Mekong, funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, aims to improve access to sustainable energy in the EEP Mekong partner countries Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. This Call-for-Proposals (CfP-8) is aiming at both Civil Society Organizations (CSO) and private sector companies in clean energy to propose projects.  CSO can propose pilot projects on a smaller scale whereas private sector projects should be close to commercial maturity and have potential for scaling-up. Minimum project value for both applications (CSO and private sector) is Euro 250,000. CSO projects can be funded (grant) of up to 60% of project value. Private sector projects can receive project grant support of up to Euro 1,000,000 depending on the project size and the level of verifiable self-financing of the project developer. EEP Mekong is inviting CfP applications in only one step as Full Project Proposals. To be eligible, projects have to be implemented in one or more of the EEP Mekong partner countries - Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. The programme developers have to be registered in one or more of the above partner countries or Finland. Interested project developers are requested to submit their Project proposal online through the link provided at EEP Mekong website www.eepmekong.orgon or before 31 August 2017, at 16:00 hrs, Vientiane time. For detailed information about EEP Mekong programme and how to apply for project funding (CfP-8), please visit www.eepmekong.org or contact Bernhard Meyhöfer, Programme Manager    bernhard.meyhofer@eepmekong.org or Cosme de Arana, Business Development Expert  cosme.arana@eepmekong.org

http://www.eepmekong.org/

Regional biochar training program?

Is there an opportunity here for a regional biochar training program.
This could bring expertise to support local biochar supporters, groups or NGO's.
It should also be a great opportunity for mature CHAB technology demonstration projects.
Your feedback / ideas welcome.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: EEP Mekong Programme <rcu@eepmekong.org>
Date: 29 May 2017 at 16:52
Subject: NEW CALL-FOR-PROPOSAL CFP-8 EEP MEKONG PROGRAMME
To: febiochar@gmail.com

NEW    CALL-FOR-PROPSALS - CFP-8                 EEP Mekong Programme   The Energy and Environment Partnership Programme with theMekong Region - EEP Mekong, funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, aims to improve access to sustainable energy in the EEP Mekong partner countries Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. This Call-for-Proposals (CfP-8) is aiming at both Civil Society Organizations (CSO) and private sector companies in clean energy to propose projects.  CSO can propose pilot projects on a smaller scale whereas private sector projects should be close to commercial maturity and have potential for scaling-up. Minimum project value for both applications (CSO and private sector) is Euro 250,000. CSO projects can be funded (grant) of up to 60% of project value. Private sector projects can receive project grant support of up to Euro 1,000,000 depending on the project size and the level of verifiable self-financing of the project developer. EEP Mekong is inviting CfP applications in only one step as Full Project Proposals. To be eligible, projects have to be implemented in one or more of the EEP Mekong partner countries - Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. The programme developers have to be registered in one or more of the above partner countries or Finland. Interested project developers are requested to submit their Project proposal online through the link provided at EEP Mekong websitewww.eepmekong.org on or before 30 June 2017, at 16:00 hrs,Vientiane time. For detailed information about EEP Mekong programme and how to apply for project funding (CfP-8), please visit www.eepmekong.org or contact Bernhard Meyhöfer, Programme Manager   bernhard.meyhofer@eepmekong.org or Cosme de Arana, Business Development Expert cosme.arana@eepmekong.org

Pro-Natura newsletter

This Newsletter includes a table that lists 6 scientific publications on biochar impact on tropical crops in SEA region. Crops covered rice, cabbage, peanuts and cassava.

https://gallery.mailchimp.com/ef20ae4c3fdc09fc772db39fa/files/201603_Biochar_Pro_Natura_EN.pdf

Biochar increases biogas production in a batch digester charged with cattle manure (Lao PDR)

Abstract
"Two in vitro incubation experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that biochar would serve as support media for biofilm development in a biodigester and would as a result increase the yield of biogas whether added separately or enclosed in a nylon bag The treatments in experiment 1 were: control (no biochar), biochar added at 1% of the substrate DM in the biodigester, biochar added at 3% of the substrate DM in the biodigester. The substrate was fresh manure from cattle fed dried cassava root, fresh cassava foliage and urea. Proportions of water and manure were arranged so that the manure provided 5% of the solids in the biodigester. Gas production was measured daily over the fermentation period of 30 days; methane in the gas was measured after 21 and 28 days. In experiment 2, a 2*2 factorial arrangement with 4 replications was used to compare level of biochar: 1% of solids in the digester or none; and presence or absence of a cloth bag in the biodigester. The fermentation was followed over 21 days with daily measurement of gas production and content of methane in the gas at the end of the fermentation.

In experiment 1, incorporation of 1% (DM basis) of biochar in the biodigester increased gas production by 31% after 30 days of continuous fermentation; there were no benefits from increasing the biochar to 3% of the substrate DM. The methane content of the gas increased with the duration of the fermentation (24% higher at 28 compared with 21 days) but was not affected by the presence of biochar in the incubation medium. In experiment 2, adding 1% of biochar (DM basis) to the substrate increased gas production by 35%, reduced methane content of the gas by 8%, increased the DM solubilized (by 2%) and increased methane production per unit substrate solubilized by 25%. Presence of the cloth bag increased gas production when it also contained biochar but decreased it when added to the biodigester without biochar. There was a similar interaction for methane produced per unit substrate solubilized."
http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd24/12/sang24212.htm?goback=.gde_2446475_member_243421682

Exciting new research from Lao PDR - benefits of biochar as animal feed

Biochar reduces enteric methane and improves growth and feed conversion in local “Yellow” cattle fed cassava root chips and fresh cassava foliage (http://www.lrrd.org/public-lrrd/proofs/lrrd2411/leng24199.htm)

Abstract 

Twelve local “Yellow” cattle with initial live weight ranging from 80 to 100 kg were assigned in a completely randomized block design to a 2*2 factorial arrangement of four treatments with three replications. The factors were: biochar at 0.6% of diet DM or none; and potassium nitrate at 6% of diet DM or urea at 1.83% of diet DM. The basal diet was cassava root chips fed ad libitum and fresh cassava foliage at 1% of LW (DM basis). Sodium sulphate and sodium chloride were added to the diet at the rate of 0.4% and 0.5% in the DM. The trial lasted 98 days following a 21 day adaptation to the diets.

Live weight gain was increased 25% by adding biochar to the diet DM and tended to be decreased when nitrate replaced urea as the source of NPN. DM feed conversion was improved by biochar and by urea replacing nitrate. DM feed intake was not affected by supplementation with biochar nor by the NPN source. Both biochar and nitrate reduced methane production by 22 and 29%, respectively, the effects being additive (41% reduction) for the combination of biochar and nitrate. 

R A Leng*, T R Preston** and Sangkhom Inthapanya

Faculty of Agriculture and Forest Resources, Souphanouvong University,
Luang Prabang, Lao PDR
inthapanyasangkhom@yahoo.com
*University of New England, Armidale NSW, Australia
**Finca Ecologica TOSOLY, AA48 Socorro, Colombia

Biochar related research proposal for Laos and Thailand

-->

Research Proposal:

Producing Biochar from Waste Biomass to Improve Food Security, Enhance Villager Livelihoods, and Reduce GHG Emissions:

Lao PDR and Thailand Case Studies¹

An abstract of this proposal, which includes the establishment of Adam Retorts in each location, can be down-loaded from the following link...

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/52700813/Abstract%20Research%20Proposal_Mar.2012.pdf

1 Prepared by Richard J. Frankel, Ph.D. and David Morell, Ph.D., Adjunct Professors, Natural Resources and Environmental Management Center, Mae Fah Luang University, 333 Moo 1 Tambol Thasud, Muang District, Chiang Rai 57100, THAILAND; Phone: +(66) 53-916850-1; Fax: +(66) 53-916852; www.mfu.ac.th;

Email: rjfrankel@gmail.com; dmorell17@gmail.com.

Biomass Gasification and the Benefits of Biochar - Dr Paul Olivier

If you are interested in biomass stoves (TLUD) or the multiple applications for small scale biomass gasification then I highly recommend a review of Dr Paul Olivier's work in Vietnam with rice husk biomass. His 10 page report (link below) includes reports on biochar agriculture trials in Cambodia and Laos using rice hulls. His report also includes an interesting summary of possible future distributed energy pathways for biomass.

Date: Sat, 3 Mar 2012 06:11:11 +0700
From: Paul Olivier <paul.olivier@esrla.com>
To: Discussion of biomass cooking stoves <stoves@lists.bioenergylists.org>
Subject: [Stoves] the 150 gasifier in operation in Vietnam

This is a TLUD forced air gasifier in operation on rice hulls.

Here you see the burner with burner housing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZDt8DfgSls&feature=channel
http://youtu.be/WXZvvoxCm1g

When a wire mesh dome is placed on top of the burner and burner housing,  this roughly doubles the amount of heat being transferred to a pot:
http://youtu.be/7fnGem9BQ7Q

Here it took 3 minutes and 42 seconds to bring a liter of water to a boil:
http://youtu.be/jK3UTe1Lxqk
http://youtu.be/80REBVTwpMo

For more details on this gasifier, see:
http://esrla.com/pdf/landfill_06.pdf

Thanks.
Paul
--
Paul A. Olivier PhD
27C Pham Hong Thai Street
Dalat
Vietnam

Louisiana telephone: 1-337-447-4124 (rings Vietnam)
Mobile: 090-694-1573 (in Vietnam)
Skype address: Xpolivier
http://www.esrla.com/

ADB Job Opportunity: Biomass and Biochar Technology Specialist

This follows on from the recent ADB announcement covered in my earlier post...

http://sea-biochar.blogspot.com/2011/07/adb-agrees-4-mln-grant-to-boost-biomass.html

"The subject regional capacity development technical assistance (R-CDTA) aims to improve utilization of biomass in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Viet Nam (CLV). This will be achieved through: (i) harmonization of sustainable standards, certification systems, and other mechanisms to enhance regional cooperation on bioenergy development with food security ensured; (ii) implementation of pilot projects to demonstrate mechanisms for scaling up biomass investment projects for bioenergy or food security; (iii) capacity-building support for project stakeholders; and (iv) knowledge products and awareness campaign. The mechanisms for scaling up demonstrated under the R-CDTA are expected to lead to ensuing ADB investment projects in Cambodia, Laos, and Viet Nam" 

"The specialist will be in charge of:

1. review biomass availability, including seasonality, pricing, quality, and competing demand (if any) and the biomass and charcoal briquetting sector, and logistics issues surrounding feedstock supply for small-sized projects;
2. design and conduct a beneficiary needs assessment of traditional biomass, feedstock, and charcoal briquetting supply agents and benefit streams, and conduct a comparative analysis of various biomass conversion technologies, including financing models, delivery mechanisms, and program modalities (e.g., compost making, biochar);
3. provide benchmarks for technical performance and carbon credit potentials;
4. develop a framework for the application of these technologies, including aspects related to institutional needs, financing needs, and information, awareness, and capacity-building needs, and conduct gender-sensitive capacity-building activities;
5. conduct gender-sensitive capacity-building activities and interventions; and
6. design a biomass conversion pilot project for composting, biochar, etc., where deemed appropriate."

 "Qualifications:

• Extensive knowledge about biomass and biochar use for bioenergy, including the charcoal briquetting sector and various conversion technologies
• Technical Background
• Knowledge about the existing biomass use initiatives in GMS region as well as the existing institutional framework in GMS countries
• Experience in design of biomass conversion pilot projects is an advantage
• Experienced in capacity building activities on biomass and biochar
• Previous work experience within international donors funded projects
• Previous work experience on ADB funded projects is an advantage
• His/her experience should include assignments in Lao PDR, Cambodia and Vietnam.
• Citizenship of one of ADB’s member countries is obligatory! (see www.adb.org/about/membership.asap)"

http://www.devex.com/en/jobs/biomass-and-biochar-technology-specialist

ADB agrees $4 mln grant to boost biomass use

"The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said Monday it has approved a project that would help Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam scale up the use of biomass waste in agriculture to meet growing need for clean energy and food security for poor rural households"...

... "ADB said the project would fund pilot investment projects to scale up biomass technologies such as household biogas systems, biochar kilns, and improved cooking stoves. The project will also conduct studies, build human and institutional capacity on biomass investment, and promote regional exchange among the three countries." ...

http://www.saigon-gpdaily.com.vn/National/2011/7/94503/
 

Biochar in slash-and-burn agricultural systems in Northern Laos

Bryan Hugill has provided the following project announcement summary for the IBI January newsletter...

Biochar in slash-and-burn agricultural systems in Northern Laos

SaafConsult will be working with the GTZ/GIZ in the Sayabouri province, Laos, in early 2011 to undertake an assessment of the technical feasibility for biochar applications as a complementary approach for REDD. The work aims to inform the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry on the current status of implementing biochar as a carbon sequestration method in tropical countries and to assess the potential and technical feasibility for applying biochar in halting shifting cultivation (slash-and-burn) through the sustainable utilization of woody biomass to increase of soil fertility and improve carbon sequestration (slash and char).

For more information, please contact Bryan Hugill (bhugill@saafconsult.com / bryan.hugill@gmail.com)