Sebahire, et al (2024) Effect of BiocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More on Composting of Cow Manure and Kitchen Waste. Land. https://doi.org/10.3390/land13101545

Biochar, a carbon-rich material from biomassBiomass is a complex biological organic or non-organic solid product derived from living or recently living organism and available naturally. Various types of wastes such as animal manure, waste paper, sludge and many industrial wastes are also treated as biomass because like natural biomass these More, has shown promise in improving composting processes, particularly with cow manure and kitchen waste. A study conducted in Musanze, Rwanda, explored the effects of adding biochar to composting mixtures. The research focused on how biochar influences key parameters such as temperature, pHpH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline a substance is. A pH of 7 is neutral, while lower pH values indicate acidity and higher values indicate alkalinity. Biochars are normally alkaline and can influence soil pH, often increasing it, which can be beneficial More, electric conductivity (EC), and nutrient content.

The experiment revealed that biochar, when added at 5%, raised thermophilic temperatures (45-57°C) and maintained stable pH levels. This leads to more efficient decomposition of organic matter, resulting in better compost quality. However, biochar had minimal effect on EC, with values peaking at 1.78 dS/m across different treatments. The study also noted that biochar enhanced the retention of essential nutrients, particularly calcium and magnesium, in the compost.

Nutrient analysis showed that compost with biochar had improved organic matter content and higher levels of total nitrogen and available phosphorus. The results highlight that integrating biochar, especially in diverse feedstockFeedstock refers to the raw organic material used to produce biochar. This can include a wide range of materials, such as wood chips, agricultural residues, and animal manure. More mixtures like cow manure and kitchen waste, significantly improves the nutrient profile of the final compost.

This study emphasizes biochar’s potential in promoting sustainable farming practices by enhancing compost quality, improving soil fertility, and reducing the environmental footprint of waste management in Rwanda. Further research is recommended to optimize biochar application and assess its long-term effects.