Effects of Biochar on Growth, Yield and Biofuel Production in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus).

Over the past decade there has been an increased interest in developing alternative energy to offset current fossil fuel demands. Specific interest has been given to pelletized biomass as a partial or total substitute for petroleum based energy sources. However, significant demand for feedstock will increased pressure on many already stressed agricultural systems. In an attempt to mitigate the need for additional nutrient input this study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of biochar as a soil amendment. Biochar is of specific interest because of its established nutrient and water holding capacity. Movement of inorganic nutrient through vertical transport and loss of soil organic matter are also greatly reduced under biochar amendments. To determine the extent of this potential and the effects it may have on overall feedstock quality, sunflower (Helianthus annuus), a fast-growing perennial feedstock, was grown under three biochar treatments (20 t/ha, 40 t/ha, and a control of 0 t/ha). This feedstock was then harvested dried and processed into fuel pellets. Thermogravametric analysis and a bomb calorimeter were used to determine the total syn gas, caloric content and ash content of each sample; this will allow for the overall feedstock quality to be compared based on initial growing conditions. Once biofuel analysis is completed we expect that biochar will alter energy density in sunflower feedstock. If this is the case then the implications for future feedstock development is the reduction in nutrient application on fields, an increased level of soil organic carbon and no net loss in production under a reduced nutrient application.