Practice and evaluation of low-input agriculture using "locally-available biochar" in tropical Asia

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K06338
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 41050:Environmental agriculture-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
• Principal Investigator: OIKAWA Yosei 東京農工大学, (連合)農学研究科(研究院), 講師 (70323756)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 桂 圭佑 東京農工大学, (連合)農学研究科(研究院), 准教授 (20432338)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: カンボジア / バイオ炭 / 無肥料栽培

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Aiming to improve low-input agriculture in rain-fed agricultural regions in Cambodia, we produced "locally-available biochars" derived from unused vegetation and crop residues, and evaluated their effects on cultivation. Pot cultivation experiments of Brassica leafy vegetables using the biochars were conducted in Cambodia and Japan. The experiment using a sandy upland soil in Kampong Chhnang Province suggested that biochar derived from Chromolaena odorata and durian shell could replace conventional fertilizers in supplying phosphorus and potassium. In addition, in pot experiments using natural levee soil in Kampong Cham Province, we confirmed that the combination of biochar and rice vinegar was effective in increasing the growth and yield compared to the single application of biochar or vinegar.

Free Research Field

熱帯環境農学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

熱帯アジアの現地で材料を調達し小規模な炭化炉で作製可能なバイオ炭として、ヒマワリヒヨドリ茎葉およびドリアン果皮由来のバイオ炭に着目し、これらを砂質の畑地土壌に施用することにより作物栽培に必要な肥料投入量を減らすことができた。バイオ炭は土壌改良資材としては広く認知されているが、代替肥料としての利用可能性もあることが本研究において示唆された。今回、バイオ炭とともに食酢の施用についても検討し、混合施用の効果が確認された。カンボジアだけでなく他の熱帯アジア地域においても導入・実践可能な技術として期待できる。