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. 2025 Jan 13;15(1):1820.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-84729-x.

Water hyacinth conversion to biochar for soil nutrient enhancement in improving agricultural product

Yezbie Kassa  1 , Agmas Amare  2 , Tayachew Nega  3 , Teferi Alem  4 , Mohammed Gedefaw  4 , Bilhate Chala  5 , Bernhard Freyer  6 , Beatriz Waldmann  7 , Tarekegn Fentie  1 , Tewodros Mulu  1 , Taddesse Adgo  8 , Gizachew Ayalew  9 , Marelign Adugna  4 , Dessie Tibebe  10
Affiliations

Water hyacinth conversion to biochar for soil nutrient enhancement in improving agricultural product

Yezbie Kassa et al. Sci Rep. .

Abstract

The conversion of water hyacinth into biochar offers a sustainable solution to mitigate its proliferation and enhances its potential as a soil amendment for agriculture. This study examined the physicochemical properties of water hyacinth biochar (WHBC) and its impact on soil fertility. Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) was pyrolyzed at 300 °C for 40 minute with restricted airflow (2-3 m/s), producing biochar with desirable properties and a yield of 44.6%. WHBC exhibited a pH of 8.11 ± 0.91, electrical conductivity of 18.70 ± 1.15 mS/cm, and nutrient contents including TN (0.69 ± 0.10%), TP (8.80 ± 0.01%), OC (13.95 ± 0.65%), C/N ratio (20.22 ± 0.95), S (0.34 ± 0.03%), and metallic nutrients (Ca, Mg, K). Heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Cu, Ni, Cd, Pb, Cr, Zn) were within permissible limits for biochar. Soil amended with 2500 kg/ha WHBC (BC2) produced comparable Teff crop yields (fresh mass: 1191.67 ± 428.44 g, dry mass: 700.00 ± 248.34 g, grain yield: 95.00 ± 39.69 g) to those with mineral fertilizers and mixed amendments. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed significant structural changes in WHBC, enhancing its pore structure and surface morphology. These results demonstrate the potential of WHBC as an effective soil amendment to improve agricultural sustainability and soil fertility.

Keywords: Biochar; Carbon stability; Nutrient; Teff; Water hyacinth.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Ethical approval and guidelines: All methods are carried out according to the institution’s guidelines and regulations. Statement on permission for Water Hyacinth Collection: We confirm that all necessary permissions and licenses for the collection and utilization of water hyacinth were obtained from college of natural and computational science ethical committee in University of Gondar. These permissions ensure compliance with local and national regulations regarding the sustainable management of invasive species in the ecosystem surrounding Lake Tana. Identification and authentication of the water hyacinth plant: The water hyacinth plant was identified and authenticated by Botanist Mr. Abiyu Enyew, MSc in Botanical Sciences, who currently serves as the Head of the Department of Biology at the College of Natural and Computational Sciences, University of Gondar.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Map showing the location of Lake Tana’s WH sample collection region. The map of Ethiopia is displayed on the left above the figure, the map of the Amhara region is displayed on the left bottom, Lake Tana is depicted in blue, and the study location, Sheha Gomenge, is represented in yellow.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Water hyacinth biochar pyrolyze process Steps: (a) WH drying processes, (b) Barrel type reactor, and (c) biochar milling process.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Farmland or field layout of Teff crop.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
The pH of raw water hyacinth and biochar (RWH is raw water hyacinth and WHBC is water hyacinth biochar).
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra of WHBC produced at 300 °C.
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Morphological structure of WH biochar using SEM.
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
The impact of WH biochar on soil nutrients and organic carbon levels across different biochar treatments. The concentrations of total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), total potassium (TK), total organic carbon (TOC) and in soil samples across different treatments: Control, BC1, BC2, BC4, BC3MF, and the “Before” plantation, (B). The “Before” sample represents the initial soil properties prior to any treatments, while the others correspond to various amount of biochar treatments.
Fig. 8
Fig. 8
Teff yield ((a) fresh, (b) dry, and (c) grain) with different soil treatment with biochar (BC). Control (Teff plot without BC, MF, or mixed), BC1 (Teff plot 1000 kg/ha BC added), BC2 (Teff plot 2500 kg/ha BC added), BC3 (Teff plot 5000 kg/ha BC added), BC4 (Teff plot 10000 kg/ha BC added), MF (Teff plot mineral fertilizer 100 kg MF added), BC1MF (Teff plot mixed 1000 kg/ha BC1 + MF added), and BC3MF, (Teff plot mixed 5000 kg/ha BC3 + MF added).
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