Biochar from bagasse for sugarcane applications

Authors: Lima, Isabel; White, Paul

Submitted to: Meeting Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/18/2022
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The majority of sugarcane in Louisiana is combine-harvested green, generating up to 6 tons of trash per acre. Although this represents a significant amount of cellulosic biomass, there are currently no financial outlets for its utilization, so it is eliminated by prescribed field burning, stockpiled or sent to the factory with the billeted cane. These are undesirable no-profit practices. Sugarcane bagasse is another untapped biomass material with approximately 5 million tons generated per harvesting season, with 15-20% being surplus. These two byproducts represent abundant and untapped resources associated with harvesting and processing of sugarcane. Value can be added to these organic feedstocks by thermo-chemically converting them into biochars via a process called pyrolysis. These biochars are then brought back to the field as soil amendments to improve sugarcane yields, while enhancing soil health and water holding capacity, amongst other benefits. Production and use of these biochars to grow sugarcane are discussed in this paper with results from a greenhouse study and a four year field study. New income streams for sugarcane growers and processors can be envisioned by utilizing these materials (sugarcane crop and processing residues), representing a more attractive proposal than having to manage them as waste for disposal and handling.

Technical Abstract: The majority of sugarcane in Louisiana is combine-harvested green, generating up to 6 tons of trash per acre. Although this represents a significant amount of cellulosic biomass, there are currently no financial outlets for its utilization, so it is eliminated by prescribed field burning, stockpiled or sent to the factory with the billeted cane. These are undesirable no-profit practices. Sugarcane bagasse is another untapped biomass material with approximately 5 million tons generated per harvesting season, with 15-20% being surplus. These two byproducts represent abundant and untapped resources associated with harvesting and processing of sugarcane. Value can be added to these organic feedstocks by thermo-chemically converting them into biochars via a process called pyrolysis. These biochars are then brought back to the field as soil amendments to improve sugarcane yields, while enhancing soil health and water holding capacity, amongst other benefits. Production and use of these biochars to grow sugarcane are discussed in this paper with results from a greenhouse study and a four year field study. New income streams for sugarcane growers and processors can be envisioned by utilizing these materials (sugarcane crop and processing residues), representing a more attractive proposal than having to manage them as waste for disposal and handling.