USE OF MAGNETIC BIOCHAR GENERATED FROM AGRICULTURAL RESIDUES TO PROMOTE VEGETABLE CROP PRODUCTION IN HYDROPONICS

Abstract

Establishing a sustainable food production system that incorporates circular economy principles is essential to mitigating environmental impacts within intensive agricultural frameworks and increasing food demand. Accordingly, abundant agricultural residues can be transformed into valuable soil conditioners such as biochars to close the recycling loop. In this regard, a hydroponic cultivation trial was carried out using cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var. Red Gold) to evaluate the effect of biochar modification by magnetization and phosphorus impregnation on fruit yield and quality using application rates of 1% and 2%. The results indicate that amendments with modified biochars of two origins (Qatar and Oman) increased shoot fresh and dry weight. Interestingly, P-impregnated magnetic biochars applied at 1% showed the highest yield (+40%) with respect to control. In terms of fruit quality, modified biochar application did not show any significant difference except in lycopene content. As such, both P-impregnated Qatar and Oman magnetic biochars applied at 1% increased lycopene content by 20 % and 77%, respectively compared to untreated plants. In addition, biochar application modified the properties of cocopeat substrate by reducing pH, increasing electrical conductivity (EC), water-holding capacity (WHC), carbon and nitrogen content, which resulted in a positive effect on tomato yield.