Biochar from residual biomass in Turkey, and possibility of return to the soil: an estimation of the supply and demand

Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyse the potential of production and utilization of biochar as a marketable product in agriculture for Turkey. Towards this aim, the distribution of ar- able land, crop residues and soil types of Turkey were identified. The biochar production potential was evaluated depending on prominent residual biomass streams in Turkey. In addition, how much biochar would be needed for arable soil types found in Tur- key was estimated according to previous studies which investi- gated the effect of biochar on similar soil taxonomy and/or plant grown. Total crop production is focused on southern, western and central Anatolia, although the arable lands of Turkey prevail in seven regions. The residues of wheat, barley, corn and cotton stalk, tea, banana, hazelnuts and forest were found to be higher than other residuals in different regions and they could be suitable for biochar production. Furthermore, it was highlighted that the low water holding capacity of soil, alkalinity, salinity and soil pollution impeded the crop productivity. Although, the biochar produced from prominent residues was one-fiftieth less than that of total estimated amount of biochar needed for arable soils, it ob- viously improves the plant growth and soil characteristics, when used together with fertilizer, especially for zonal and intrazonal soils. At this point, it could be focused on the long-term field ex- periments due to determine the special and productive addition rate of biochar for Turkey, and biochar addition to the soil could be channelled into threatened priority arable lands by the public authorities.