Estimation of Pruning Wastes and Biochar Production Potential of Turkey

Abstract

In agriculture-producing countries, pruning waste is obtained from fruit-bearing trees during the fruit-growing process. The present study aims to determine the potential of biochar of pruning wastes, obtained as a result of agricultural activities that have economic value. To the best of the author’s knowledge, no study has been conducted in Turkey to make a regional estimation of the biochar potential of pruning wastes. Biochar produced from waste provides the advantage of use in various fields, such as soil remediation and water and wastewater treatment. In this study, data on the number of trees bearing fruit (almond, apple, apricot, cherry, peach, pear, plum, and sour cherry) from the Turkish Statistical Institute were used based on the equations specified. First, the amount of pruning waste, then the usable pruning waste, and finally their biochar potential were calculated. It was estimated that the apple tree had the highest total biochar potential (41.5 thousand tons/year). Regarding the regions, the highest biochar potential was in the Central Anatolia Region for the apple tree (19.3 thousand tons), followed by the Eastern Anatolia Region for the apricot tree (13.6 thousand tons). The total biochar potential of pruning wastes from fruit-bearing trees in Turkey was estimated at 175 thousand tons for the year 2021.