Date of Defense
7-4-2026 9:00 AM
Location
Microsoft Teams
Document Type
Thesis Defense
Degree Name
Master of Science in Horticulture
College
College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine
Department
Integrative Agriculture
First Advisor
Shyam Kurup
Keywords
Biochar, Chickpea, Carbon sequestration, Date palm, Arid condition, Soil amendments
Abstract
Arid and semi-arid regions are continuously threatened by soil degradation, high salinity, low organic matter, water scarcity which necessitate soil amendments to ensure sustainability and food security. This study measures the potential of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) frond derived biochar, applied alone and in combination with compost, to overall improve the soil properties, physiological, biochemical performance and the crop productivity of chickpea grown under desert field conditions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Through controlled pyrolysis the biochar was produced and its physicochemical, elemental properties were characterized. Field experiments commenced with randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four treatments: control, biochar, compost, and biochar + compost. Biochar showed high porosity, alkaline pH, elevated cation exchange capacity, and macro and micronutrients were greatly enhanced. Application of biochar + compost, significantly enhanced seed germination, vegetative growth and yield parameters when compared with the control. Stomatal conductance, CO₂ assimilation, and transpiration rate increased under treatments, indicating improved photosynthetic efficiency and water use efficiency. Chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll and SPAD contents were significantly higher in under biochar + compost plants. Total phenolics, total flavonoids, and antioxidant activity (DPPH and ABTS assays) increased which indicated strong stress defense mechanism of chickpea. Valorization of abundant date palm biowaste into biochar offers a climate-smart, circular, and scalable strategy for sustainable crop production, soil reclamation, and carbon sequestration in arid agroecosystems.
Included in
Field Evaluation of Date Palm Biochar with Chickpea as Model Crop
Microsoft Teams
Arid and semi-arid regions are continuously threatened by soil degradation, high salinity, low organic matter, water scarcity which necessitate soil amendments to ensure sustainability and food security. This study measures the potential of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) frond derived biochar, applied alone and in combination with compost, to overall improve the soil properties, physiological, biochemical performance and the crop productivity of chickpea grown under desert field conditions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Through controlled pyrolysis the biochar was produced and its physicochemical, elemental properties were characterized. Field experiments commenced with randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four treatments: control, biochar, compost, and biochar + compost. Biochar showed high porosity, alkaline pH, elevated cation exchange capacity, and macro and micronutrients were greatly enhanced. Application of biochar + compost, significantly enhanced seed germination, vegetative growth and yield parameters when compared with the control. Stomatal conductance, CO₂ assimilation, and transpiration rate increased under treatments, indicating improved photosynthetic efficiency and water use efficiency. Chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll and SPAD contents were significantly higher in under biochar + compost plants. Total phenolics, total flavonoids, and antioxidant activity (DPPH and ABTS assays) increased which indicated strong stress defense mechanism of chickpea. Valorization of abundant date palm biowaste into biochar offers a climate-smart, circular, and scalable strategy for sustainable crop production, soil reclamation, and carbon sequestration in arid agroecosystems.