Biochar from Residual Lignocellulosic Biomass for the Cultivation of Prosopis Limensis

The use of waste as biomass is a sustainable and economically beneficial alternative. Therefore, this research obtained biochar from residual lignocellulosic biomass from the maintenance of public and private green areas to be used as a soil amendment for the cultivation of Prosopis limensis. The biochar was obtained by the slow pyrolysis technique using a flame curtain reactor. The biomass and the biochar obtained were physically and chemically characterized to determine their properties such as pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, nitrogen, ion exchange capacity, P2O5 and K2O. For the cultivation of Prosopis limensis seeds, different concentrations (0, 10, 20 and 30 %) of biochar were used and applied in bags containing 2 kg of sandy loam soil. The results showed that Prosopis limensis samples with 10 % biochar had better development of their phenological characteristics during the 50 d of experimentation. Finally, it is concluded that biochar as an amendment had a positive effect on soil properties and consequently on Prosopis limensis plant growth.