CHARACTERIZATION OF DESIGNER BIOCHAR PRODUCED AT DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES AND THEIR EFFECTS ON A LOAMY SAND

Abstract

Biochar additions to degraded soils have the potential to improve crop yield and soil quality. We hypothesize that the biochar production process can be tailored to form designer biochars that have specific chemical characteristics matched to selective chemical and/or physical issues of a degraded soil. We produced biochars from peanut hulls, pecan shells, poultry litter, and switchgrass at temperatures ranging from 250oC to 700oC. Biochars were characterized