Published in Scientific Papers. Series B, Horticulture, Vol. LXV, Issue 2
Written by Violeta Alexandra ION, Andrei MOŢ, Vlad Ioan POPA, Suzana CALCAN, Liliana BĂDULESCU, Ionuț Ovidiu JERCA, Cornel BANIŢĂ, Oana Cristina PÂRVULESCU
Plant wastes are often burned, leading to air pollution and significant loss of potential soil nutrients. In order to mitigate these drawbacks, the waste can remain or be added to the soil, but this may increase crop diseases and also greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (e.g., CO2, CH4, N2O). Pyrolysis of vine waste is a promising and relevant technique, and the obtained biochar can be further used as a soil amender, can enhance soil C sequestration and water holding capacity, reduce GHG emissions and nutrient leaching, increase soil fertility, resulting in agronomic, environmental, and economic benefits. The aim of this study was to characterise vine waste from a physicochemical point of view in order to be used as raw material for producing biochar, which will be applied as soil amender. Plant waste material (grapevine prunings and marc) was received from Pietroasa-Istrita Research Station for Viticulture. The materials were characterised in terms of dry matter, loss on ignition, surface morphology, total carbon and nitrogen, bulk density, water holding capacity, pH, electrical conductivity, and mineral content. The obtained results indicate that grapevine prunings and marc are suitable materials for obtaining biochar.
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