Comparative effects of food waste-derived biochar produced at 250 °C and 350 °C on soil amendment and seed germination
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24191/mjcet.v9i2.12750Keywords:
Biochar, Food waste biochar, Torrefaction, Pyrolysis, Soil pHAbstract
Food waste continues to increase globally. It poses serious environmental, social and economic problems that require ongoing attention. This study investigated biochars derived from banana peels (BC-BP), bread scraps (BC-BS), and spent coffee grounds (BC-CG), produced via torrefaction (250 °C) and low-temperature pyrolysis (350 ℃), as soil amendments. Biochars were characterised for moisture and ash content and evaluated for their effects on soil pH, germination percentage, mean germination time (MGT), germination index (GI), root and shoot elongation, and seedling vigour index (SVI) at application rates of 1%, 3%, and 5% using mung bean (Vigna radiata). All biochar treatments raised soil pH and improved germination compared to the untreated control. Biochar at a rate of 3% consistently produced the highest germination rate (shortest MGT and largest GI, root, shoot, and SVI values), whereas a rate of 5% showed an inhibitory effect. The findings show that at a temperature of 350 °C, biochar performance is better compared to 250 °C due to higher ash content and alkalinity. Among feedstocks, BC-BP exhibited the highest ash content (43.36%) and most favourable overall trends, followed by BC-BS and BC-CG. These results suggest that BC-BP and BC-BS produced at 350 °C and applied at 3%, work well as soil amendments. However, careful dosage management is essential to avoid inhibitory effects at excessive application rates.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Mohd Syazwan Mohd Ghazali, Khairul Nadia Ibrahim, Marmy Roshidah Mohd Salleh, Nor Zalina Kassim, Amelia Md Som, Nadia Isa, Suhaini Mamat, Zaida Rahayu Yet, Vioni Derosya
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