About

The overall goal of ABCSoil is to contribute to the efficient closing of resource cycles in agriculture and forestry by transforming residues into efficient organic fertilisers.

In the last decade, large quantities of pure biochar have been tested as soil amendment obtaining encouraging results, but the high costs are prohibitive for farmers. Biochar use is one of the few ready-to-go negative-emission technologies (NETs) available, without which the 1.5 °C goal of the Paris agreement is unattainable.

Agricultural sciences focus on its application as soil amendment; while energy and process engineering develop tailor-made biochars for industrial applications such as metallurgy and water filtration.

The objectives of ABC4Soil are:

• Reduced agriculture-related emissions and increased crop yields with a better recirculation of nutrients and carbon from the feedstock,
• Residues fertiliser supplements or replaces mineral fertilisers for a more sustainable farming, with environmental and economic benefits for farmers.
• No need for long-distance transportation, the process takes place at farm level.
• Fertilised biochar is also beneficial for plants growing in challenging environments such as urban areas.
• An organic fertiliser that can be used in organic farming practice.

Results

• Description of the entire value chain of the production of advanced biochar-baser fertilisers.
• Understanding of influencing production parameters on biochar and fertiliser properties.
• Insight into the effect mechanisms of ABC-fertilizers on soil quality, plant growth, nutrient use efficiency and crop yield.
• Evaluation of environmental impacts such as nitrate leaching and greenhouse gas emissions, compared to standard agricultural practice.
• Guidelines for the production process for efficient and sustainable ABC-fertilisers.
• Upgrading of locally available residues and transformation into value products.
• Demonstration of the effects of ABC-fertilisers on growth and yield of annual food crops and on the growth and health of trees in forests and urban settings.
• Economic and life cycle analysis.