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Volume 8
Journal of Ecosystem & Ecography
ISSN: 2157-7625
Ecology 2018
March 19-20, 2018
Page 38
conference
series
.com
March 19-20, 2018 | Berlin, Germany
World Conference on Ecology
Gilbert C Sigua, J Ecosyst Ecography 2018, Volume 8
DOI: 10.4172/2157-7625-C1-031
Recycled agricultural wastes: Biochars multifunctional role in agriculture and environment
T
he rapid population growth, urbanization and modernization worldwide have resulted in the significant increase of waste
generated. Waste production is a major environmental problem in our society. In fact, recycling and using raw materials
from the waste we generate are some of the environmental challenge that we face today. Promotion of innovative and appropriate
technologies is necessary to achieve sound and sustainable waste management. Biochar production using pyrolysis technology
can utilize most urban, agricultural or forestry biomass residues, including wood chips, corn stover, rice or peanut hulls, tree
bark, paper mill sludge, animal manure, and many other recycled organics. Biochar is the solid product that results from pyrolysis
of agricultural wastes and organic materials. Biochars as specialized soil amendments can provide multifunctional roles with
remarkable agronomic and environmental significance. Our biochars studies demonstrated the favorable and beneficial effects of
different designer biochars on biomass productivity and nutrient uptake of winter wheat grown in Norfolk soils with hard setting
subsoil layer. Application of 80:20 blends of pine chips and poultry litters was found to be superior over other blends of biochars
because of its favorable effects on biomass productivity and nutrient uptake of winter wheat. Our research investigations have also
confirmed that biochars have binding mechanisms to sequester metals. Recently, biochars ability to sequester metals has caught
the attention of the mine reclamation sector. It is proposed that biochar is a suitable amendment to remediate heavy metals inmine
spoils, as well as improve chemical conditions for enhanced plant growth. Better plant growth will improve phytostabilization,
increase containment of metal-laden sediment, while also reducing potential metal uptake by plants. As such, utilization of a
biochar with appropriate chemical and physical characteristics is crucial for effective binding of heavy metals while also improving
plant growth conditions in the mine spoils.
Gilbert C Sigua
USDA-ARS, USA