Production of Pelleted Biochar and Its Application as an Amendment in Paddy Condition for Reducing Methane Fluxes

Abstract

The global focus continues with respect to increasing agricultural productivity, such as in paddy soils using inorganic fertilizers. Such practices could adversely affect the agricultural environment by deteriorating soils and increasing greenhouse gas emissions. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of biochar pellet blended with condensed molasses soluble (CMS) on rice productivity, soil quality, and methane (CH4) emissions in a paddy condition for healthy agricultural ecosystem. This study used a commercial scale pyrolysis system to produce biochar at 600 °C from bamboo. The experiment consisted of three different treatments: control, inorganic fertilizer (IF, N-P-K = 90-45-57 kg ha−1), and biochar pellet (BC_PT, 1000 kg ha−1). Compared to other treatments, the biochar pellet decreased annual CH4 flux by 15.8–18.8%. The rice grain yield under inorganic fertilizer as conventional rice management was slightly more than applied biochar pellets, despite lower soil chemical properties. However, for long-term paddy management, including environmental protection and rice production, biochar pellets are better suited for maintaining a healthy agricultural ecosystem than conventional practices. Indeed, the application of biochar pellets appears to potentially reduce CH4 emissions and maintain stable rice productivity through the slow release of nutrients.

Keywords

• biochar pellet
• condensed molasses soluble
• methane
• agricultural ecosystem
• conventional practices