Utilization of Eichhornia crassipes biomass for production of biochar and its feasibility in agroecosystems: a review

Biochar is a carbon-rich product, derived from the pyrolysis of biomass in the absence of oxygen. It is a widely accepted soil amendment for increasing the amount of soil carbon, nutrients, organic matter, enhancing population of soil microbes, soil retention and aeration capacity. Biochar can be produced using agriculture residues, plant biomass, and animal waste. Eichhornia crassipes is a high biomass producing aquatic plant used for a variety of purposes around the world. This review highlights the fabrication of biochar from E. crassipes biomass. The biochar produced from E. crassipes biomass bears good nutritive values and its application to the soil enhances agricultural crop productivity with improved soil health. The conversion of E. crassipes biomass in to biochar not only provides a significantly better alternative to chemical fertilizers but also a sustainable management strategy of this invasive plant species.