BIOCHAR FROM DURIAN SHELLS: A NEW APPLICATION IN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

This study aimed to repurpose durian shells into biochar for sustainable fertilizer production, addressing agricultural waste management while promoting plant growth. The biochar was prepared through anaerobic pyrolysis, with varying modification durations to identify the optimal sample. Experiments on water spinach and green mustard demonstrated that the fertilizer significantly enhanced plant growth. Characterization using FTIR, SEM, and EDX confirmed the material's morphology and composition. The optimal ratio (70% biochar, 15% chitosan nanoparticle solution, 15% shallot juice) contains nutritional elements of C, O, P, K, N, and Mg that effectively support plant growth comparable to urea fertilizer, achieving a height of 9.5 cm after 14 days on scallion plants while maintaining low moisture content (1.11%). Thus, the combination of biochar and nutrients significantly boosts plant tolerance and growth. This study suggests that generating organic fertilizer from durian shells offers an effective solution to manage agricultural waste while enhancing the economic value of this type of organic biomass.