Date of Defense
14-4-2026 10:00 AM
Location
Microsoft Teams
Document Type
Dissertation Defense
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
College
College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine
Department
Integrative Agriculture
First Advisor
Shyam Kurup
Keywords
Biochar, Date Palm biowaste, Soil reclamation, Food security, Climate mitigation
Abstract
Date palm cultivation generates large quantities of lignocellulosic residues as a part of orchard management and regular pruning activities. Total date palm biomass produced in the UAE has been estimated at around 1.2 million tons per year. These residues are usually burned or disposed of in open areas or used in compost pits which in turn create waste management and environmental issues. This study investigated the conversion of date palm fronds into biochar and evaluated the feasibility of using it as a soil amendment for arid and saline agricultural systems. Biochar was produced using a locally fabricated double canister pyrolysis unit designed to operate under low oxygen conditions to utilize date palm waste as a feedstock. Structural and chemical characterization of biochar showed a heterogeneous porous morphology with SEM revealing well developed pore networks. FTIR analysis indicated predominantly aromatic carbon structure with reduced aliphatic functional groups. To validate the effectiveness of biochar as a soil amendment, field experiments were conducted at two different sites in the UAE (Fujairah and Al Foah). Tomato, chickpea, corn and watermelon were selected as representative crops. There were four treatments: Control, Biochar alone, cow manure + biochar and Cow manure alone. Across all the treatments and sites, the Biochar + Manure treatment resulted in consistent higher yield which was statistically significant than the control (approximately 22-38% for various crops). These yield responses were associated with improved soil properties such as soil water retention, moderation of soil pH and electrical conductivity under saline conditions. Crop physiological observations further indicated higher chlorophyll content and better photosynthetic activities. To conclude, the findings clearly indicate that the biochar derived from date palm resides can serve as an effective soil amendment when integrated with organic manure to improve the soil physical and chemical properties in arid regions with very low organic carbon content (≤ 1%). It also provides a practical pathway for effective waste management at source. This study contributes to field-based evidence supporting the use of locally produced biochar as a part of sustainable soil management and waste valorization strategies in desert agroecosystems.
Included in
Synthesis, Characterization and Field Application of Date Palm Biochar
Microsoft Teams
Date palm cultivation generates large quantities of lignocellulosic residues as a part of orchard management and regular pruning activities. Total date palm biomass produced in the UAE has been estimated at around 1.2 million tons per year. These residues are usually burned or disposed of in open areas or used in compost pits which in turn create waste management and environmental issues. This study investigated the conversion of date palm fronds into biochar and evaluated the feasibility of using it as a soil amendment for arid and saline agricultural systems. Biochar was produced using a locally fabricated double canister pyrolysis unit designed to operate under low oxygen conditions to utilize date palm waste as a feedstock. Structural and chemical characterization of biochar showed a heterogeneous porous morphology with SEM revealing well developed pore networks. FTIR analysis indicated predominantly aromatic carbon structure with reduced aliphatic functional groups. To validate the effectiveness of biochar as a soil amendment, field experiments were conducted at two different sites in the UAE (Fujairah and Al Foah). Tomato, chickpea, corn and watermelon were selected as representative crops. There were four treatments: Control, Biochar alone, cow manure + biochar and Cow manure alone. Across all the treatments and sites, the Biochar + Manure treatment resulted in consistent higher yield which was statistically significant than the control (approximately 22-38% for various crops). These yield responses were associated with improved soil properties such as soil water retention, moderation of soil pH and electrical conductivity under saline conditions. Crop physiological observations further indicated higher chlorophyll content and better photosynthetic activities. To conclude, the findings clearly indicate that the biochar derived from date palm resides can serve as an effective soil amendment when integrated with organic manure to improve the soil physical and chemical properties in arid regions with very low organic carbon content (≤ 1%). It also provides a practical pathway for effective waste management at source. This study contributes to field-based evidence supporting the use of locally produced biochar as a part of sustainable soil management and waste valorization strategies in desert agroecosystems.