CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction
Nutrient deficiency of agricultural soils results to low food production contributing to global
issues on food insecurity. This problem roots from the excessive climate change throughout the
world and from too much use of synthetic fertilizers on farming. It has been predicted that over
the next two decades, crop yields of primary foods such as corn, rice and wheat will considerably
decrease as a result of warmer and drier climatic conditions particularly in semi-arid areas
(Brown and Funk, 2008).
While natural calamities brought about by climate change negatively affects soil fertility,
synthetic fertilizers degrade soil by providing nutrients directly on plants (Bruges, 2013). This
condition became one of the major concerns of the developing biochar technology.
Biochar is the solid remains from the carbonization of biomass. To produce this carbon-rich
product, pyrolysis or heating in a closed system with a limited supply of oxygen and controlled
temperature is employed. By products of this process include syngas (H 2 + CO), minor quantities
of methane (CH4), tars, organic acids and excess heat. It has many applications because it can be
used as fuel, as adsorbent and as soil conditioner.
Biochar has a great potential in soil amelioration. On ancient times, it was used by farmers
as fertilizer. Ancient Indian farmers made fertilizer by mixing charcoal and fish bones into their
fields and it showed that the soil is almost nine times more fertile than the natural soil. The
studies done on biochar as soil amendment have pointed out that biochar can improve soil
fertility, structure, nutrient availability and carbon sequestration (Roberts et al., 2010). This is
due to the fact that it can hold carbon in soils for hundreds and thousands of years and the carbon

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Chapter I The Problem and its Background
Biscocho L., Cabral, A., Lloren, M.

present in biochar can resist degradation. Usage of biochar can help fight global warming by
stabilizing carbon. By doing so, the amount of carbon that hastens the thinning of ozone layer
can be minimized. Since biochar has a strong holding power, nutrients stay in the soil instead of
leaching to water thus, improving water quality.
Plants and crops supply majority of human and animal food worldwide. Plants can
synthesize whatever compounds they need. Virgin soil already contains enough amount of
nutrients required for proper plant nutrition, however plants could be exhausted of one or more
specific nutrients so another type of nutrients in the form of fertilizers are added. But as
fertilizers are essential to modern agriculture, overuse of them can bring harmful effects on
plants and crops, on soil quality, as well as on the health of the livestock and people.
Moreover, usage of fertilizers, specifically commercial fertilizers can pollute soils due to
large amount of metals they deposit in the soil. Heavy metals serve as plant nutrients but their
accumulation can cause toxicity. In addition, overuse of these can cause leaching of nutrients into
bodies of water that can lead to water pollution like eutrophication that kills life in bodies of
water. In line with this, it has been widely recognized that application of excessive inorganic
fertilizer, especially nitrogen, causes soil deterioration and many environmental problems (Liu et
al., 2010).
To address these problems on inorganic fertilizers, the most common solution is the
application of organic materials to soil. However, these materials can decompose very quickly
which entails further addition of organic matter. This makes addition of organic materials to soil
be done repeatedly that results to high cost. Furthermore, it is realized that the rapid
decomposition and mineralization of organic materials have a significant contribution to global
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Chapter I The Problem and its Background
Biscocho L., Cabral, A., Lloren, M.

warming (Jenkinson et al., 1991). Hence, it is proposed that integration of biochar to fertilizer
will lessen its application rate to soil.
Currently, 5.1 billion dry tons of agricultural wastes are produced globally (IEA, 2010).
Corn cobs are considered as one of the most abundant in these wastes. When harvested, they are
either left to dry on the farm after which they are burnt off or found littering the streets of market
places (Ogunjobi and Lajide, 2013). Meanwhile, biochar from corn cobs have seen potentials as
soil amendments due to their structural nature and properties. Thus, instead of allowing corn
cobs to contribute to environmental pollution and carbon emission through decomposition,
converting them to biochar, will be very useful in improving soil fertility by reducing the use of
fertilizers.

Statement of the Problem

This study aimed to determine the efficacy of biochar from corn cobs as soil fertilizer
enhancer. Specifically, this sought to answer the following:
1. What are the physicochemical properties of biochar derived from corn cobs in terms of
1.1 pH
1.2 Moisture Content
1.3 Ash Content
1.4 % Carbon (C)
1.5 Porosity
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Chapter I The Problem and its Background
Biscocho L., Cabral, A., Lloren, M.

2. How do the properties of soil with and without biochar from corn cobs differ at
varying percentage of fertilizer (50,100) in terms of:
2.1 pH
2.2 Soil Organic Matter (SOM) or Carbon (C)
2.3 Nitrogen (N)
2.4 Phosphorus (P)
2.5 Neutral Ammonium Acetate Exchangeable (K, Mg, Ca)
2.6 Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC)
2.7 Carbon-Nitrogen Ratio (C/N)
3. Is there a significant difference on the aforementioned properties of soil before and
after harvest? Among the treatments with respect to their properties?
4. What are the effects of the biochar from corn cobs on the different percentage of
fertilizer on the growth of plant in terms of:
4.1 Number of leaves
4.2 Length of leaves
4.3 Plant height
4.4 Color of the leaves
after 15, 30, 45 days of planting?
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Efficacy of Biochar from Corn (Zea mays) Soil Fertilizer Enhancer

Chapter I The Problem and its Background
Biscocho L., Cabral, A., Lloren, M.

Null Hypotheses
1. There is no significant difference in the properties of soil with and without biochar
from corn cobs at varying percentage of fertilizer (50,100).
2. There is no significant difference on the properties of soil before and after harvest.
3. Application of biochar from corn cobs in soil at varying percentage of fertilizer has no
effect on the growth and yield of mustard after 15, 30, 45 days of planting.

Significance of the Study

This study will be valuable to farmers and planters since it will provide an alternative soil
amendment to minimize the use of commercial fertilizers. This will be done by incorporating
biochar at a fixed amount with different percentage of fertilizer and determining which will
retain most of the nutrients in soil while improving plant growth. Through this, addition of
fertilizer on the next planting in the same soil can be reduced, thus, indicating lower farming
costs.
Additionally, the results of this study will help lessen environmental pollution and promote a
clean environment. Due to the properties of biochar, carbon dioxide emission in the atmosphere
that causes greenhouse effect will be mitigated and leaching of nutrients that causes water
pollution and nutrient deficiency in soils will be hindered. At the same time, corn cobs that are

Efficacy of Biochar from Corn (Zea mays) Soil Fertilizer Enhancer

Chapter I The Problem and its Background
Biscocho L., Cabral, A., Lloren, M.

already considered wastes will become useful by enriching the properties of soil and contributing
to plant growth.
To the academe, this research will provide additional information on biochar technology and
its potentials on soil amelioration.
To future researchers, they can use the findings of this study as basis for considering cheap
agricultural waste as biochar in the reduction of fertilizer application and improvement of
farming.

Scope and Delimitation of the Study

This study aimed to determine the efficacy of biochar from corn cobs as soil fertilizer
enhancer. Corn cobs are the biomass used for biochar production. These corn cobs were gathered
from markets. The fertilizer used is complete fertilizer (14-14-14). Carbonization of corn cobs
was done using the carbonizer purchased from the Philippine Rice Research Institute in Muoz,
Nueva Ecija.
Different treatments (no biochar, 100% fertilizer), (biochar, 100% fertilizer) and (biochar,
50% fertilizer) that were used in this study had two (2) replicates each. The physicochemical
properties analyzed are pH, soil organic matter (SOM), phosphorus (P), neutral ammonium
acetate exchangeable (K, Mg, Ca), cation exchange capacity (CEC), carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and
carbon-nitrogen ratio (C/N).
Farming was done in plots at Poblacion, Mabini, Batangas, each having dimensions of 0.5 x
0.5 meter. The soil was an Ibaan loam type. The plant used in this research is mustard. Number
of leaves, length of leaves, plant height, color of the leaves were monitored during 15, 30and 45

Efficacy of Biochar from Corn (Zea mays) Soil Fertilizer Enhancer

Chapter I The Problem and its Background
Biscocho L., Cabral, A., Lloren, M.

days of planting. A screen that will help to protect the plant from damages from weather changes
was also placed.
The results in the properties of soil and mustard growth were compared using statistical
analysis. Pests and diseases that affect the yield of mustard plants were not considered.

Conceptual Framework
This study was conducted based on the following conceptual paradigm.
INPUT

corn cobs

soil

commercial
fertilizer

PROCESS

OUTPUT

carbonization of corn cobs

biochar

physicochemical analysis
of biochar

physicochemical
properties of
biochar

application of biochar
and fertilizer in soil

treated soil

physicochemical
properties of
treated soil

mustard plants
statistical results

physicochemical analysis
of treated soil

planting of mustard seeds

mustard seeds

Figure 1.1
Conceptual Paradigm of the Study

Efficacy of Biochar from Corn (Zea mays) Soil Fertilizer Enhancer

Chapter I The Problem and its Background
Biscocho L., Cabral, A., Lloren, M.

Definition of Terms
Ash Content. The mass of incombustible material remaining after burning a given coal
sample as a percentage of the original mass of the coal (McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific &
Technical Terms, 2003). In this study, it refers to the percentage of ash in the biochar.
Carbonization. The process of converting feedstock into biochar through reductive
thermal processing. The process involves a combination of time, heat, and pressure exposure
factors that can vary between processors, equipment, and feedstocks. (International Biochar
Initiative, 2013). In this study, it is the process of converting corn cobs to biochar.

Carbon Sequestration. The long-term storage of carbon in plants, soils, geologic

formations, and the ocean. It occurs both naturally and as a result of anthropogenic activities and
typically refers to the storage of carbon that has the immediate potential to become carbon
dioxide gas (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2013).
Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC). A measure of the capacity of biochar to retain
ions,such as ammonium and potassium cations, in an exchangeable form that is available to
plants for uptake (Mutezo, 2013). In this study, it refers to the property of biochar (Mg, K, Ca)
that will be determined through laboratory tests.
Corn Cobs. The long, hard, center part of corn. It is the core on which the kernels of
corn are arranged (Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 2013). In this study, it refers to the biomass that
will be used in carbonization.
Ibaan Loam. A soil type. The surface is brown to light reddish brown, slightly friable
and granular loam. The subsoil is brown to dark brown tendencies, clay loam with tuffaceous
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Chapter I The Problem and its Background
Biscocho L., Cabral, A., Lloren, M.

lower subsoil. The surface soil is sandy in texture (Chapter II, Ecological Profile of Mabini,
Batangas). In this study, it refers to the type of soil used in planting and applied with biochar.
Inorganic fertilizers. Fertilizers mined from mineral deposits with little processing (e.g.,
lime, potash, or phosphate rock), or industrially manufactured through chemical processes
(International Rice Research Institute, 2009). In this study, the inorganic fertilizer used is
Harvester Premium Complete 14-14-14-11s and Urea.
Moisture Content. The quantity of water in a mass of soil, sewage, sludge, or
screenings; expressed in percentage by weight of water in the mass (McGraw-Hill Dictionary of
Scientific & Technical Terms, 2003). In this study, it refers to the amount of moisture of the
biochar.
Number of leaves. In this study, it is one of the physical properties of pechay to be
monitored after 15, 30 and 45 days.
pH. A quantitative measure of the acidity or basicity of aqueous or other liquid solutions
(Encyclopedia Britannica, 2013). In this study, it refers to the measure of acidity or basicity of
the biochar and treated soil.
Plant Height. The distance of the plants from the base to the apex of the plant (The
Lexicon Dictionary, 1992). In this study, it refers to the measurement of the plant from its bottom
to its highest point or apex.
Pyrolysis. The combustion of organic materials in the presence of little or no oxygen,
leading to the formation of carbon-rich char that is highly resistant to decomposition (Thies and
Rillig, 2009).
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Chapter I The Problem and its Background
Biscocho L., Cabral, A., Lloren, M.

Soil Organic Matter (SOM). The organic matter component of soil, consisting of plant
and animal residues at various stages of decomposition, cells and tissues of soil organisms, and
substances synthesized by soil organisms (Brady, N. C., and Weil, R.R., 1999). In this study, it
pertains to the property of the treated soil that will be determined.
Treatment. Any specified application of any particular practices which may be applied to
plants, soil and animal to bring about a change or to learn what may be beneficial or harmful
(Webster II New Riverside Dictionary, 1984). In this study, it refers to the application of the
different proportions of biochar and fertilizer to soil.

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