Pyrolysis Temperature Effects on Biochar–Water Interactions and Application for Improved Water Holding Capacity in Vineyard Soils

Jon Marshall; Richard Muhlack; Benjamin J Morton; Lewis Dunnigan; David Chittleborough; Chi Wai Kwong

doi:10.3390/soilsystems3020027

Back

Pyrolysis Temperature Effects on Biochar–Water Interactions and Application for Improved Water Holding Capacity in Vineyard Soils

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Pyrolysis Temperature Effects on Biochar–Water Interactions and Application for Improved Water Holding Capacity in Vineyard Soils

Jon Marshall, Richard Muhlack, Benjamin J Morton, Lewis Dunnigan, David Chittleborough and Chi Wai Kwong

Soil Systems, Vol.3(2), 27

2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems3020027

Files and links (2)

pdf

PDF - Published Version (Open Access)1.22 MBDownload View

Published VersionPDF - Published Version (Open Access)CC BY V4.0, Open Access

url

https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems3020027View

Published Version

Abstract

soil water holding capacity

viticulture

biochar

pyrolysis

waste valorisation

Abstract: Grapevine cane and stalks were considered for pyrolysis at 400 to 700 C to produce biochar for increasing the water holding capacity of vineyard soil. Feedstocks were pyrolysed using a continuous feed reactor and the resulting biochars characterized in terms of physico-chemical properties, including water retention performance. Hydrophobicity was found in biochar from both feedstocks pyrolysed at 400 C, but not at higher temperatures. At low soil matric potential, the pyrolysis temperature was the defining variable in determining water retention whereas at higher pressures, the feedstock was the more important variable. Available water content (AWC) of biochar increased with increasing pyrolysis temperatures, with optimal results obtained from grapevine cane at a pyrolysis temperature of 700 C, which had an AWC 23% higher than a typical clay type soil. Principal component analysis showed variability in water retention of these biochars to be closely associated with the zeta potential, as well as the carbon and ionic content, suggesting that surface charge and hydrophobicity are key properties determining water holding capacity. Pure biochars were superior in water retention performance to typical sandy soils, and so biochar amendment of these soil types may improve water holding (particularly at field capacity). Further study with pot or field trials is recommended to confirm water retention behaviour and assess the feasibility of application under different viticultural scenarios.

Details

Title: Pyrolysis Temperature Effects on Biochar–Water Interactions and Application for Improved Water Holding Capacity in Vineyard Soils
Authors: Jon Marshall (Author) - University of Adelaide
Richard Muhlack (Author) - University of Adelaide
Benjamin J Morton (Author) - University of Adelaide
Lewis Dunnigan (Author) - University of Adelaide
David Chittleborough (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Chi Wai Kwong (Author) - University of Adelaide
Publication details: Soil Systems, Vol.3(2), 27; 14
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date published: 2019
DOI: 10.3390/soilsystems3020027
ISSN: 2571-8789
Copyright note: Copyright © 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Sustainability Research Cluster
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99451465902621
Output Type: Journal article