Philippine Journal of Science
150 (5): 1337-1346, October 2021
ISSN 0031 – 7683
Date Received: 19 May 2021

Corn-cob Biochar Characterization and Application
Effects to Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) Evolution in Acid Soil
Added with Different Types of Fertilizers

Arsenio D. Bulfa Jr.^1,2*, Gina Villegas-Pangga³, and Jose Edwin C. Cubelo¹

¹College of Agriculture, Silliman University, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental 6200 Philippines
²Graduate School, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031 Philippines
3Agricultural Systems Institute, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences
University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031 Philippines

*Corresponding author: arseniodbulfa@su.edu.ph

 

ABSTRACT

Biochar, a carbon (C) rich material produced from biomass, is an inexpensive means of removing C from the atmosphere by incorporating it into the soil, where C sinks are formed for sequestration. The slow release of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the soil is related to C sequestration, long-term storage of CO2, or other forms of C that help lessen CO2 concentration. An incubation study was conducted in a laboratory to determine the effect of corn-cob biochar (CCB) application on Luisiana clay (Orthoxic Palehumults) acidic soil. The CO2 evolution from the incubation of various mixtures of organic materials, inorganic fertilizers added with CCB was measured using a titration of hydrochloric acid (HCl). The biochar application rate was 10 t/ha, and the organic fertilizers at 5 t/ha. Results show that CCB contained essential plant elements like C, K (potassium), Si (silicon), Cu (copper), Na (sodium), and Cl (chlorine). It also possesses a large surface area and high average pore size. The CO2 evolution increased in the first two weeks with a peak at Day 2, and the amount of cumulative CO2 decreased after that in all treatments during the incubation period. Treatments with CCB showed a constant reduction in the amount of CO2.