elephant grass

Although biochar can be considered as a potential amendment to ameliorate degraded soils with many studies reported, little is known about its effects on acidic soils grown with elephant grass (Pennisetum Purpureum Schumach), a bioenergy crop. The current study aimed to (1) examine the effects of coffee husk-derived biochar on the grass's yield and properties of acidic soil and (2) identify potential mechanisms in determining the yield. A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to test five treatments (no biochar-T1, 2% biochar-T2, 4% biochar-T3, 2% cow manure-T4, and a mixture of 1% biochar plus 1% cow manure-T5) in four replicates. The pots were grown with elephant grass for three successive harvests. Soil after each harvest was taken to analyze for 14 parameters, which were used for SQI estimation. Biochar significantly increased the biomass yield by 61 (T2) and 82 % (T3), compared to T1. pH, cation exchange capacity, and the concentration of Mehlich-1 P and exchangeable bases (K, Na, and Ca) were significantly enhanced, while exchangeable acidity and the concentration of exchangeable H + , Al, and Fe were significantly decreased following biochar addition. The SQI was significantly better in the biochar-added soil than the non-biochar soil. The improved biomass yield could be involved in a few mechanisms, including liming effect, co-addition of nutrients with the added biochar, and nutrient use efficiency. In brief, biochar is a potential amendment in mitigating the constraints of acidic soils, leading to the enhanced biomass yield of elephant grass in the soils.

Resumen
En el presente artículo se muestran, los resultados de la obtención de azúcares fermentables utilizando como materia prima pasto elefante (Pennisetum purpureum). Se evaluó el efecto de la concentración del ácido acético (CH3COOH) y el clorito de sodio (NaClO2) sobre la eliminación del complejo lignina hemicelulosa. Se realizó una comparación del método utilizando pretratamientos básicos con hidróxido de sodio (NaOH) y peróxido de hidrógeno (H2O2). La etapa de sacarificación se cumplió utilizando el método de hidrólisis enzimática y con el uso de celulasa y β-glucosidasa. Los resultados muestran que empleando el pretratamiento con CH3COOH y NaClO2 presenta un porcentaje de sacarificación del 80,87% en comparación con el pretratamiento con NaOH con un porcentaje de 56,82% y del peróxido de hidrógeno con un porcentaje de 44,75%.

Abstract
The present study shows the results of obtaining fermentable sugars using elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) feedstock. The concentration effect of acetic acid (CH 3 COOH) and sodium chlorite (NaClO 2) was assessed on the removal of lignin hemicellulose complex. A comparison was made about method, using basic pretreatment with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2). The Saccharification step is carried out by enzymatic hydrolysis method that is performed using cellulase and β-glucosidase. The results show in the case of pretreatment with NaClO2 and CH 3 COOH a percentage of saccharification of 80.87% compared to NaOH pretreatment with a percentage 56.82% and hydrogen peroxide with a percentage of 44.75%.