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Biochar for CASH Crops-towards Economic and Environmental Resilience

ABSTRACT

Biochar, a carbon-rich material produced via pyrolysis of biomass, has been of great interest in

soil amendments, given its potential to enrich soil fertility, raise yields of crops, and also mitigate

climate change. Biochar's high carbon content allows it to retain nutrients, enhance microbial

processes, and improve soil's water-holding capacity. The potential of Biocharbiochar in carbon

sequestration, mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, and maintenance of soil health in the long

term has also been emphasized. The proposed work will ascertain Biochar's agronomic and

economic potential in Biochararash crops. In particular, it will verify the impact of Biochar on

Biochararcture, nutrient retention, microbial processes, and its potential to enhance yield, quality,

and resistance to stressors in crops. Of particular interest is its potential to mitigate climate

change via carbon sequestration. Controlled and field experiments will be utilized to ascertain

soil structure, nutrient dynamics, microbial processes, and yields of crops in response to varying

applications of Biochar. The Biochar aims to determine the different effects of commercially

purchased Biochar in Biochararn compared to that produced in situ by farmers. Comparative

analysis of their economic potential in terms of their cost-effectiveness will be utilized to

ascertain their practicability for large-scale farming adoption. The proposed work will provide a

holistic picture of its application in sustainable agriculture, including its impact on the biological

and economic potential of using it in agriculture. The work results will provide evidence-based

advice on adopting Biochar in biochar systems to address soil health requirements without

compromising economics. Ultimately, this study aims to support agricultural sustainability by

enhancing soil productivity, reducing environmental impact, and promoting climate resilience

through effective biochar utilization.

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

There has been increasing interest and research concern regarding soil amendment due to

the popularity of agricultural practices concerning sustainability and the environment.

Biocharendly practices aside. Thus, it is produced from the thermochemical conversion of

organic matter, such as the pyrolysis of organic biomass without oxygen. This carbon-rich

material is called Biochar (Sun & Dilger, 2023). Nectarine has the known properties of

improving soil fertility, increasing carbon and water retention, and minimizing greenhouse gas

emissions. Research on this application regarding agricultural systems, particularly in its cash

cropping section, for soil health and productivity improvement has gained interest recently.

Maize, soybeans, cotton, and coffee are essential global cash crops in the agricultural

sector. However, intensive farming usually raises these crops, using soil nutrients and promoting

erosion and dependency on chemical fertilizers (Rasul et al., 2017). Fertilizers help you grow

plants in the short term, but these fertilizers degrade the soil and cause long-term environmental

problems. Biochar use reduces these challenges by improving soil quality, reducing fertilizer

dependency, and enhancing crop resilience to climate variability. While a large body of research

exists on the benefits of Biochar to climate and soil health, empirical research has not proved its

agronomic and economic benefits over time, particularly in cash crop farming, which has thus

limited its adoption. The factors that play a role in biochar production, including feedstock

selection, pyrolysis conditions, and application rates, should be optimized to make the Biochar

the Biochararective (Cao et al., 2022). Also, these experiments are required to measure how this

affects yield, crop yield, and overall farm profitability. This paper looks to fill these gaps through
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controlled field experiments that analyze Biochar's environmental benefits and supply data-

driven insights to facilitate using Biochar in Biochararle cash crop farming.

1.2 Problem Statement

With the need for environmentally friendly farming methods on the up rise, Biochar has

become more attractive as a soil conditioner to improve soil health, increase yields, and prevent

environmental decline. With a higher carbon content, Biochar builds nutrients, enhances holding

capacity, suppresses greenhouse gas emissions, and promotes carbon sequestration (Rasul et al.,

2017). Nevertheless, its use by commercial cash crop farmers is yet to be undertaken owing to

skepticism over its agronomic and financial impacts in the long term. This study analyzes

Biochar's health, microbial processes, and crop yield in controlled field experiments to close this

gap. The status of different cultivation processes is to be compared to that of regular soil

conditioners using a cost-benefit analysis to determine their financial sustainability. In addition

to determining the efficacy of Biochar, include feedstock material, pyrolysis process, and

application dosage. The study also explores Biochar's carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas

mitigation, closing gaps with evidence to make it a green option for large-scale application (Stavi

& Lal, 2013). In addition, the methods of making Biochar and Biochariochar material and

applying dosage can affect the efficacy of the resulting Biochar. Biocharstandard procedures

would be used to take advantage of variables to gain maximum rewards.

A second concern is the financial sustainability of farmers' adoption of Biochar. Biochar

can potentially reduce chemical fertilizers' use and improve soils to be more resilient, yet

processing and application costs can be high enough to limit wide use (Maroušek et al., 2019).

There is a need to carry out a detailed cost-benefit analysis to ascertain the financial

sustainability of using Biochar on Biochar in agriculture. There is also a need to empirically

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ascertain the environmental benefits of the use of Biochar brought forth by its carbon

sequestration potential and capability to curtail greenhouse gas emissions to guide agriculture

sustainability policies. With such challenges, this work attempts to close gaps in existing

knowledge using experimental studies in the field to determine Biochar's pBiochar'snd biological

effects on the agriculture of cash crops (Lehmann & Joseph, 2012). The work introduces

scientifically established knowledge of Biochar's enhancement of soil fertility and crop yield

using empirical evidence instead of farmer observations. Their findings will be important in

holding biochar application in optimized strategies, informing policymakers, and encouraging

widespread use of Biochar as an effective agricultural amendment.

2.0 RESEARCH QUESTION

1. What are the physical and chemical properties of Biochar?

2. How does Biochar impact soil structure, soil pH, water retention and nutrient availability in

soil system?

3. How does the application of Biochar affect soil fertility and soil microbial communities?

4. How does Biochar influence carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions in cash crop

systems?

5. How does Biochar contribute to removal of pollutants, such as heavy metals and pesticides

from the soil system?

6. How does Biochar affect crop yield and crop resilience in cash crops to drought and extreme

weather conditions?

3.0 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

1. Analyze physical and chemical properties of Biochar

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2. Assess how Biochar impact soil structure, soil pH, water retention and nutrient

availability in soil system?

3. Application of Biochar affect soil fertility and soil microbial communities and carbon

sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions in cash crop systems?

4. To conduct a cost-benefit analysis of Biochar production and application in commercial

cash crop farming.

5. To evaluate Biochar contribute to removal of pollutants, such as heavy metals and

pesticides from the soil system?

6. To evaluate contribute to removal of pollutants, such as heavy metals and pesticides from

the soil system

4.0 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study aims to extract, characterize, and apply Biochar as a Biocharomic and

environmental tool for cash crop agriculture. Biochar will be field-tested to determine its effect

on soil properties, crop yield, and sustainability. Factors affecting Biochar production,

optimization methods, and bioactivity in agricultural soils have also been researched. Only

specific cash crops grown in controlled conditions under standard conditions can be dealt with in

the study as most of the data can be collected and then analyzed consistently. Farmers reported

that outcomes would not be relied on but on empirical data from experimentation (Cao et al.,

2022). The study will also assess economic feasibility using cost-benefit analysis without

participating in large-scale industrialization issues. Consequently, the results will help farmers,

agricultural researchers, and policymakers determine how Biochar can bolster sustainable

farming practices.
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5.0 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The significance of this study is to understand Biochar from a theoretical and practical

approach on how the process works. Additionally, understanding the concept of Biochar will

help both the society and institutions to borrow concepts that will ensure cash crop productivity

in the long run while maintain a free soil pollutant environment.

5.1 Theoretical Significance

The study has a significant theoretical impact on “Biochar for Cash Crops: Focus On

Agriculture.” The research aims on expounding how Biochar can be used to enhance cash crops

and at the same time ensuring no soil pollution by rehabilitating the environments. The research

will emphasis on the agricultural aspects that can be used to make Biochar efficient in production

of cash crops in respect to the procedures on making it sustainable. Furthermore, the study will

pay attention on pyrolysis conditions, applications rates and feedstock selection. The

aforementioned will consider how Biochar is used in mitigating greenhouse gas, and carbon

sequestration. Therefore, in the future, biochar will be used on large scale where different cash

crops will be grown based on the soil quality needed. Also, agricultural institutions will gain

economically since farmers will depend on soil quality for crop yield and the society will enjoy a

reduced soil pollutions.

5.2 Practical significance

In a practical point of view, Biochar is efficient in rehabilitating environments. The aim is

reducing the pollutant mobility especially in contaminated soils and changes in hazardous

elements to cash crops. Employing the biochar process means soil changes leading to plant

growth and soil quality with improvement in crops yields. Educating farmers about biochar is

important because its sustainability depends on the soil type and condition where it is applied
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and the cash crops to be grown. Both the researchers and students will gain practical knowledge

by understanding the adaptability of biochar in relation to environmental health and soil

improvement. Therefore, the study in the future will help both institutions and society research

across the world to choose the right biochar depending the geographical locations to enhance

environmental sustainability and agriculture without compromising cash crops.

6.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

Biochar has attracted much attention with beneficiaries from soil amendment and

improved soil fertility, crop productivity, and environmental sustainability. It has been an

attractive alternative to conventional soil amendments because of its ability to enhance soil

properties while mitigating the effects of climate change (Sun & Dilger, 2023). This paper's

perspective on biochar literature review focuses on prior research into its physical properties, its

impact on soil and crops, and the importance of Biochar in terms of its environmental and

economic aspects.

Pyrolysis for biochar production is a thermochemical process that decomposes organic

biomass in a low-oxygen environment. The properties of Biochar feedstock type, the pyrolysis

conditions (temperature, duration), and the following treatments. Biomass sources are

responsible for biochar properties, including porosity, surface area, and nutrient content. They

interact with soil and plants differently in a study of Biochar different biomass sources such as

crop residues, wood waste, and manure (Cao et al., 2022). Biochar's stability and surface area are

inherently enhanced by increasing pyrolysis temperature, thereby increasing Biochar’s to retain

nutrients and water.

Research shows that the elemental makeup of Biochar strongly relies on biomass

feedstock. On the contrary, wood material-based biochar is more prosperous in terms of carbon,
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more stable, and also capable of carbon sequestration over time. In contrast, agricultural waste

and manure-based Biochar is a rich and increases soil fertility immediately (Maroušek et al.,

2019). Secondly, Biochar has been interested in soil microbe interaction due to its ability to be a

home for beneficial microbes that facilitate nutrient cycling and soil resilience.

The application of Biochar has been investigated to determine its effects on soil structure,

chemical properties, and biological properties. Soil structure size, porosity, and water-holding

capacity (mainly in sandy soils and poor soils, are increased by it. Porosity enhances aeration;

better aeration means better root penetration, water penetration, and vegetation growth.

Moreover, soil pH is controlled by Biochar, particularly in acid soil, and is a liming material that

increases soil nutrient supply to vegetation when applied Biochar.

Several studies have shown that biochar application increases cation exchange capacity

(CEC), increasing soil fertility by reducing nutrient leaching and enhancing microbial activity

(Rasul et al., 2017). It has been shown that Biochar binds with soil organic matter to form a more

stable environment in the soil and retain better essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and

potassium (Rasul et al., 2017). Additionally, biochar amendments may positively impact soil

microbial activity critical to organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling and ultimately

improve soil health and productivity by enhancing Biochar.

Several studies have been carried out to demonstrate the positive effect of Biochar on

productivity. Biochar can improve well-drained soils by replacing the poorly aerated and less

thick layers of organic matter (Stavi & Lal, 2013). On average, biochar application results in a

yield increase of 10 to 15 % for any soil type and environmental conditions (according to the

meta-analysis. Biochar has been studied on biochar-amended soils for different cash crops such
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as maize, soybean, and coffee, where Biochar promotes improved germination rates, biomass

growth, and overall yield stability, particularly in drought-prone conditions.

A few studies have explored Biochar and its potential reaction under other (crop species

and soil types). When applied to fields of maize in sub-Saharan Africa, Salimova et al., 2020,

showed that biochar usage led to increased uptake of plant nutrients and subsequently increased

grain yields and drought resistance. Biochar also supported nitrogen fixation in experiments

where soybean soil cultivations were done by providing conditions favorable for nitrogen-fixing

bacteria and reducing synthetic fertilizer use (Rasul et al., 2017). However, some of these studies

assert that Biochar’s variable with all soil or crop types, and it could be half the story if applied

to soil properties and crop needs.

Carbon sequestration has been known as a mitigation mechanism for carbon change.

Biocharr is very stable in soil and is a long-term carbon sink that reduces the concentration of

atmospheric CO2 (Maroušek et al., 2019). Biochar stabilizes carbon so that it will be here for

hundreds of years, rather than the carbon in typical organic amendments, which is rapidly

decomposed. This property makes Biochar a principal way of controlling carbon footprints in

agricultural systems and fighting the effects of climate change. Additionally, the reduction in

greenhouse gas emissions has already been documented via nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane

(CH4) emissions by Biochar (Mahmoud et al., 2021). Reduced soil nitrous oxide emissions with

Biochar have been demonstrated to be due to the alteration of nitrogen cycling and inhibition of

the associated microbial processes that produce N2O (Lehmann & Joseph, 2012). Biochar has

been combined with compost systems, where it increases the decomposition rate, decreases

methane emissions, and gives increased nutrients to compost products.

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Biochar has many agronomic and environmental benefits that have led to its widespread

adoption, although economic barriers have prevented it from embracing widespread use. The

availability of feedstock, technology, and logistics affect the production cost of Biochar.

LaBiocharet al. (2017) indicate that Biochar can be incorporated into existing waste management

and agricultural systems to reduce costs and make such systems more palatable for large-scale

farming operations. The high initial cost of production and application is the main challenge in

adopting Biochar. The studies indicated whether Biochar can compete economically, considering

feedstock proximity, energy inputs, pyrolyzing, and labor pricing (Kibue, 2018). It must be said

that, for instance, soil type and crop selection affect biochar performance, so ultimately, the yield

comes from farmers' return on investment.

Operating as a part of bioenergy production systems, Biochar has been considered a way

of making it more cost-effective. Barrow (2012) has suggested that the co-production of Biochar

witBiocharels (such as syngas and bio-oil) will improve economic viability and not lessen the

use of biomass resources. In addition, policies that encourage buying carbon credits and

encourage 'environmental' or 'sustainable' practices may encourage farmers to use more Biochar.

ThBiocharbility was that Biochar could be included in carbon trading markets and thus have

financial incentives for the use of Biochar – such that commercial agricultural enterprises could

implement its use (Bach et al., 20216).

7.0 RESEARCH GAPS

Despite growing interest in Biochar as several key gaps remain in understanding its full

potential in agricultural systems. This study seeks to address the following six critical research

gaps:
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Most studies on biochar focus on short-term impacts, typically within one or two growing

seasons. However, the long-term effects of Biochar on Biochararcture, microbial communities,

and nutrient availability remain unclear. Since Biochar is a degradable material that can endure

in soil for centuries, its response to soil properties is also likely to be dynamic over time. More

work is needed to determine how Biochar affects health across multiple cropping cycles and

whether its effects decrease, remain constant, or accumulate over time (Zhang, et al. 2022).

Long-term studies should also assess potential adverse effects, such as leaching of nutrients, soil

acidification, or uncontrolled shifts in microbial diversity.

Biochar’s effects on soil properties and vegetation growth vary depending on soil type,

climate, and environmental conditions. Some studies suggest that Biochar increases soils’

capacity and nutrient supply. However, its impact on clay or saline soils has yet to be

investigated. Similarly, Biochar's ability to withstand aridity in arid areas has been explored, but

its response in high-rainfall or flooding areas is yet to be established in detail (Yadav , et al.

2023). There is a need to undertake region-specific studies to ascertain optimal application

strategies for Biochar for agro ecosystems. Farmers would be in a dilemma when opting for the

most appropriate biochar formulations and application doses for their respective circumstances in

their absence.

Most biochar studies focus on commodity crops like maize, wheat, and rice, with fewer

cash crops, fruits, and vegetables investigations. These crops differ in nutrient requirements, root

systems, and response to soil amendments, so the effects of Biochar can be applied in different

plant species. As an example, nitrogen-fixing legumes would probably interact with Biochar in a

way compared to nutrient-demanding crops like tomatoes or strawberries. Comparative studies

of the impact of Biochar on Biocharar types of crops in terms of yield, growth, and biotic and
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abiotic resistance are lacking. Closing this knowledge gap is crucial to maximizing the use of

Biochar in alarming systems.

Farmers frequently use fertilizers, compost, and organic amendments to enrich soil

fertility. The interactions between these amendments and Biochar are not yet established. Some

studies suggest that Biochar can increase the application of fertilizer to nutrient leaching.

However, other studies suggest potential negative interactions, such as the adsorption of nutrient

elements, making them unavailable to plants. More studies must ascertain how various

fertilizers, such as synthetic, organic, or slow-release, interact with Biochar (Yadav , et al. 2023).

Biochar process must also be conducted to ascertain if Biochar competes with compost and

manure in enriching soil fertility and microbial health.

While Biochar benefits, farmer adoption is low owing to financial and logistics

limitations. The financial cost of purchasing and applying Biochar in large-scale farming is more

than its perceived benefits. Moreover, small-scale farmers do not possess the equipment to

produce in situ biochar (Zhang, et al. 2022). The cost-effectiveness of Biochar in different

farming systems must be investigated to ascertain financial incentives, such as carbon credits,

that would promote adoption. Investigations also need to determine farmers' perceptions,

knowledge gaps, and willingness to use Biochar in biopharming systems. Social and economic

aspects of adopting Biochar help design policy and educational programs to facilitate the large-

scale adoption of Biochar.

Although Biochar is Biocharar as a method of climate change mitigation in that it can

sequester carbon in soils for centuries, there is also a question of carbon stability over time.

Pyrolysis conditions, feedstock material, and soil microbial processes would control Biochar and

Biochar sequestration potential decomposition. The impact of Biochar on Biocharare gas flux,
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particularly N2O and CH4, is also inconclusive, with reductions in N2O flux in one set of studies

but no effects in others (Zhang, et al. 2022). More studies must be done to ascertain Biochar's

carbon sequestration processes across the globe and to ascertain the situations in which it is of

maximum utility to the climate.

8.0 METHODOLOGY

8.1 Research Design

A mixed methods approach is used in this study, and both experimental field trials and

laboratory analyses are used to evaluate the effect of Biochar on crop productivity, and economic

feasibility (Ayaz et al., 2021). The first phase of the research will involve field experiments to

assess Biochar's properties and crop yield, as well as laboratory analyses of Biochar's thermal

properties. By incorporating such methods, we ensure that we obtain complete data across a wide

range of measures and get a complete picture of Biochar's agriculture.

The study will also employ a controlled trial in conjunction with a field trial to ascertain

the impact of Biochar on Biochar and crop yield.

8.2 Field Experiments

8.2.1 Cash Crop Selection

It will test field experiments in areas with fields that agreed with the selected agricultural

areas growing cash crops, such as maize, soybeans, cotton, peanut, and coffee. These regions are

decided based on the drying of the soil, its accessibility, and the climate variability (Allohverdi et

al., 2021). The cash crop selected in this case is peanut. A group of people will be selected to

have peanut in different types of soil nutrients. This will help to know which among the soil is

efficient in growing peanut, the yield and growth rate.

8.2.2 Biochar Selection

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Biochar will be applied, so Biocharles will be collected before and after to measure the

effects. This approach provides unconsidered, robust data for conclusions about biochar

performance. This will also take into consideration the soil PH so that there can be a balanced

form of nutrients in Biochar.

8.2.2.1 Soil PH Experiment

The soil PH experiment analyses how adding the selected biochar will affect the PH level. While

adding the selected biochar, the PH of acidic soil will be raised. It will happen by neutralizing

the acidity where hydrogen ions will be absorbed due to the negative surface charge and porous

structure. The factors to consider in this case is the soil type, rate of application and the type of

biochar.

8.2.3 Physical and Chemical Properties of Biochar

The thermal strength of Biochar is critical for its long-term stability in soil environments.

To determine its resilience, Biochar samples will be subjected to increasing temperatures in a

muffle furnace up to 1000°C at a controlled heating rate (Sun & Dilger, 2023). Mechanical

compression tests will be performed to evaluate strength retention at different temperatures. The

thermal degradation of Biochar will be modeled using the Arrhenius equation, where the reaction

rate is constant, the pre-exponential factor, the activation energy, the universal gas constant, and

the absolute temperature in Kelvin. This analysis helps determine Biochar's and thermal

resilience under field conditions.

8.2.3.1 Kinetic Study via TGA-FTIR Analysis

The kinetic study was carried out using the VZ, DAEM, and KAS concepts in a TGA analysis at

a rate of 10°C/min from 25°C to 900°C. The experiment was carried out in a semo-batch reactor

where gas was inserted at 900°C. The biochar produced portrayed its chemical and physical
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properties. Furthermore, The TGA will be used to analyze thermal decomposition kinetics and

gaseous emissions during biochar degradation. 100µL thermal mass of biochar samples will be

heated with a nitrogen atmosphere at a rate of 10°C/min from 25°C to 900°C and weight loss

data will be recorded and then determined by the Flynn-Wall-Ozawa method to determine

activation energy (Ordonez-Loza et al., 2021). Organic compounds and potential environmental

impacts will be determined by analyzing the evolved gases when the heating rate is constant.

Knowledge of these thermal decomposition kinetics is essential for developing optimal biochar

production processing without provoking environmental pollution.

8.2.3.2 FTIR Spectroscopy Analysis

Biochar functional groups are to be identified by FTIR spectroscopy, and chemical

bonding changes due to pyrolysis and soil interaction will be determined. A range of 4000–400

cm⁻¹ (infrared absorption spectra) will be recorded with identified peaks to functional groups

such as -OH, C=O, and aromatic compounds. FTIR is necessary as these functional groups are

essential in how Biocharr retains nutrients and interacts with soil components.

8.2.3.4 Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) Analysis

DSC will be performed to determine Biochar's concentrations, melting points, and

crystallization behavior. Biochar samples will be put into a DSC analyzer and heated from 30°C

to 600°C under a nitrogen atmosphere (Janovszky et al., 2022). The temperature and enthalpy

changes occurring at a given transition temperature will be determined from the measurements of

heat flow changes and endothermic and exothermic peaks. Results will be used to understand

Biochar's aBiochar'sd energy storage potential, which can be used in agricultural or industrial

applications.

8.2.3.5 X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) Analysis

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The biochar's structure and phase composition will be analyzed using X-ray diffraction

(XRD). X-ray diffractometer will examine a powdered sample using Cu K\(\\)\\ alpha radiation.

Crystalline phases will be identified by comparing diffraction patterns with a reference database.

With the Scherrer equation, the crystallite size will be computed (Ali et al., 2022). The XRD

analysis allows for evaluating biochar potential for soil amendment by quantifying its

crystallinity and mineral content where the crystallite size, the shape factor, the wavelength of X-

ray radiation, the full width at half maximum of the peak, and the Bragg angle are.

8.2.3 Soil Structure Analysis

Soil Structure Analysis involves Bulk density analysis, infiltration rate analysis, and water-

holding capacity analysis will be employed to determine soil structure. Bulk density will be

measured using the core method to determine the effects of Biochar on soil compaction.

InBiochararn rate analysis using double-ring infiltrometers will be employed to determine soil

permeability changes. Water-holding capacity will be gravimetrically measured to determine the

soil's capability to hold water, a factor in crop growth.

8.2.4 Soil Fertility and plasticity test

Nutrient Retention and Availability: Soil samples of varying depths will be collected to

determine nutrient retention and availability. The nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and organic

carbon levels would be estimated using spectrophotometry and chemical extractions, such as

Kjeldahl's nitrogen and Olsen's phosphorus methods. By determining nutrient retention in soils

that receive treatment using Biochar, the Biocharuld determine its effectiveness in inhibiting

nutrient leaching and improving soil fertility over time. The plasticity test will help in assessing

the classification of the soil.

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8.2.5 Carbon Sequestration Potential

Carbon Sequestration Potential-The greenhouse gas emission (CO2, CH4, N2O) and carbon

stability of Biochar using geologic and biologic to determine the potential of Biochar in climate

change. Carbon sequestration over time would be measured in soil organic carbon to ascertain

carbon storage in soil over time. The soil organic matter would also be investigated to determine

its potential in soil carbon storage when in contact with Biochar.

8.2.6 Pollutant Removal

The removal of pollutant using the selected biochar will involve putting it in a solution

containing heavy metals. There will be monitoring of how the heavy metals decreases with time

and examining the adsorption rate of biochar. The process will depend on biochar added, the PH

level, time and the concentration of pollutant when it was been added.

8.2.7 Crop Yield and Resilience

Crop Performance Assessment on Biochar's effects on crops' Biochariochar quality will be

measured using controlled field experiments. The parameters of biomass yield, fruit size, nutrient

concentration, and stress resistance (for example, to drought and pests) will be monitored.

Experimental plots of different application rates of Biochar will be charted to find optimal

application rates to maximize crop yield. Comparative analysis will be conducted between plots

that receive biochar treatment and control plots without treatment.

Furthermore, Farm-made and commercially sold Biochar will be Biocharared to ascertain

their varying composition and efficacy—the physicochemical properties of Biochar, i.e., surface

area, porosity, and elemental analysis, will be compared using Fourier-transform infrared

spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This study will compare the

capability of farm-made Biochar to Biochar advantages to commercially sold Biochar to farmers.

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Also, as far as Economic Feasibility Analysis, the Cost-benefit analysis of the financial

viability of purchasing versus in-house production of Biochar carried out. The analysis will

consider input prices, yield improvement, labor requirements, and revenue potential of carbon

credits. The NPV and ROI of applying Biochar will be manipulated to determine financial

viability. Surveys of the marketplace also will be conducted to ascertain farmer willingness to

apply soil amendments using Biochar.

11.0 Data Collection and Analysis

11.1 Data Collection

Biochar helps with soils nutrients. Assessing whether nutrients are disturbed evenly

across the soil making changes, several studies are carried out. The first study is about biochar

being tested to minimize the leaching of NH3 or nitrogen. The sample used is wheat straw

applied at 0.5% to 1%. The application of such rates is minimizing leaching of nitrogen in

different forms. From the survey, NH4 was assessed at 11.6% to 24%, N was 13.2% to 29.7%

and NO3 was 14.6 to 26%. The above results shows that there is a covalent bond between

ammonia and biochar that helps maintain it in the soil.

Also, to see if biochar really retain nutrients in the soil, another study is carried out where

pepperwood and peanut hull biochar pyrolyzed at six hundred degree Celsius is sorb in various

nutrients. After twenty four hours, results indicates that the amount of phosphate reduced by

20.6%, ammonium by 34.7%, and nitrate leaching by 34%.

11.2 Data Analysis

Soil and crop performance will be collected before and after biochar application. Parameters

include pH, Nitrogen, Phosphate, and Ammonium nutrient levels, cation exchange capacity

(CEC), microbial activity, germination rate, biomass, and yield per hectare. Economic feasibility
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is to be assessed by cost-benefit analysis. We will apply ANOVA to detect the difference

between soil and crop performance treatments, and regression modeling will be used to see the

correlation between the biochar application rate and yield improvement. To determine what

principal factors affect the effectiveness of Biochar, Biochar Component Analysis (PCA) will be

applied. Such an approach will result in the optimal formulation of biochar application as a

function of specific agricultural conditions.

Soil physical and chemical properties will be analyzed using ANOVA to determine

significant differences between biochar treatments.

Microbial activity data will be processed using principal component analysis (PCA) to

evaluate shifts in microbial community structure.

Crop yield and quality comparisons will be conducted using t-tests and regression

analysis to identify statistical differences between treatments.

Carbon sequestration data will be analyzed using greenhouse gas flux models to assess

the long-term impact of Biochar.

Economic feasibility will be evaluated using NPV and ROI calculations to compare cost-

effectiveness.
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