A Novel Approach for Disposing Agriculture Waste, Minimizing Air Pollution and Amending Soil through Biochar Production and Application

Abstract

The burning of crop residues (traditionally called 'Parali') has recently become a hot topic in India because it is presumed to be one of the reasons for abnormally high levels of air pollution in New Delhi, the capital city of India, after harvesting of Kharif crops during winter months. During the process of finding out a feasible solution for quick disposal of agricultural waste in a safer way, a novel method has been developed by the authors in which crop residue is converted into a useful product, biochar, which can be applied back to the fields for amendment of soil. It not only reduces the introduction of harmful gases into the environment but also improves the physical and chemical properties of the soil. This method is very simple and can be adopted by an individual farmer without much investment and technical skills. Many studies have been conducted on the factors involved in the production and use of biochar as a soil amendment; but in India, not much work has been carried out yet, as it is relatively a new concept in terms of using biomass for biochar production and application. Although biochar is not a new product, it has drawn the attention of researchers and other stakeholders in the near past because of its usefulness in improving the physical and chemical properties of the soil and at the same time reducing greenhouse gas emission, which is one of the biggest challenges for the modern world to protect the environment.