An examination of physical and chemical properties of urban biochar for use as growing media substrate

• UB increased media pH, C:N mass ratio, nutrient content, air filled porosity and bulk density.
• UB increased the proportion of particles in the desirable range for growing media (0.25–2 mm).
• UB amended mixes were found to be most stable both physically and chemically.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the suitability and optimum rate of addition of Urban Biochar (UB) as an alternative to standard coir peat in plant growing media. UB was prepared through pyrolysis of 2:1 ratio of biosolids to greenwaste on a dry mass basis. Two incubation experiments are reported both with five different growing media mixtures which were subjected to periodic wetting and drying. Media mixtures consisted of different rates of UB (100%, 60%, 40%, 20%) mixed with composted pine bark on a volume basis and compared to an industry standard media with 0% UB. The physical and chemical properties of the mixtures were compared pre and post incubation. Substituting coir peat with UB increased media pH, C:N mass ratio, nutrient content, air filled porosity and bulk density. Furthermore, addition of UB to media also increased the proportion of particles in the desirable range for growing media (0.25–2 mm). UB amended mixes were found to be most stable in terms of both bulk density and resistance to particle breakdown. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis suggested that periodic wetting and drying enhanced surface oxidation. We found that UB amended substrates, up to 60% biochar on a volume basis, could deliver similar physical and chemical benefits to those of coir peat based industry standard media.