Lentini, Matteo (2024) Valorization of agricultural wastes and crop residues with cascade approach and biochar applications. [Tesi di dottorato]

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Abstract

The use of biochar as a soil amendment has been recently proposed as a strategy to sequester atmospheric carbon in soil ecosystems, improving climate change mitigation, soil properties and crop tolerance to abiotic stress. The first experiment was conducted in protected culture in pots in a cold greenhouse, using plants of red Canasta lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. capitata). Two soils were identified for the trial, of different textures, both with structure-related problems that could compromise plant growth and yield. Biochar produced from poplar biomass was used. The effect of biochar at concentrations of 0 (control); 0.2; 0.5; 1.0; 2.0 and 5.0 % (in vol.) was evaluated. The effects of biochar were most pronounced on sandy soil. The biochar increased the yield and mineral content of the plants. Biochar improved plant nutritional quality in both soil types. The second trial was conducted in pots in a cold greenhouse, using plants of ‘Cima di rapa novantina’ (Brassica rapa L. subsp. Sylvestris L. Janch. var. esculenta Hort.). A sandy soil and biochar produced from poplar biomass, previously analyzed, were used. The effect of biochar (1% and 2% vol.) on plants irrigated with saline water of increasing NaCl concentration (0; 30; 60 and 120 mM NaCl) was evaluated. Biochar improved plant growth, with effects greater as the dose increased and more evident in control than in salinized plants. Subsequently, a third trial was conducted on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), dwarf San Marzano ecotype, to evaluate the effect of biochar (1% and 2% vol.) on plants irrigated with saline water at increasing NaCl concentrations (0; 40 and 80 mM NaCl). We observed an increase in fresh biomass and net photosynthesis in plants where biochar was integrated. Furthermore, the leaf mineral profile was evaluated at the end of the cycle, revealing a decrease in Na+ and Cl- levels. Finally, regardless of the salt treatment, biochar led to a significant increase in total yield and improved fruit quality, including sugars, amino acids and lycopene content in tomato.

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