Evaluation of the nutritional composition of king coconut husk waste biochar and ash soil conditioners: a comprehensive analysis
2025
Nuwandhya S. Dissanayaka | Kowshalya Rajaratnam | Shashi S. Udumann | Tharindu D. Nuwarapaksha | Selvaraja Kaushalya Shamila | Asanki Jayamali | Madhuwanka P. Gayadari | Namal K. Gunarathna | Anjana J. Atapattu
An enormous amount of immature king coconut husk waste (KCHW) has accumulated as a result of the rising demand for king coconut water worldwide, creating environmental problems. This study investigates the potential of KCHW as a sustainable resource for producing soil conditioners through pyrolysis. Biochar, produced at 300, 400, and 500 °C for 1 h, and ash, produced at 400, 500, and 600 °C for 4 h, analyzed for their nutritional composition and physical properties. The results revealed that increasing pyrolysis temperature significantly influenced nutrient profiles, leading to higher available potassium, calcium, and magnesium concentrations. Biochar exhibited high fixed carbon content (> 70%), indicating potential for carbon sequestration, while ash samples showed high inorganic matter content (> 50%), suggesting value as a mineral-rich amendment. In conclusion, this study confirms biochar's potential to enhance available potassium, calcium, and magnesium levels in soil. The study underscores the critical importance of systematically refining pyrolysis parameters to develop biochar with optimal nutritional characteristics that precisely match specific soil nutrient deficiencies. It provided insights for devising future sustainable waste management approaches for coconut industries and seemingly made suggestions for the enhancement of the state of the plantation soil for coconut production.
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