Investigation of the Effects of Biochar, a Pyrolysis Product of Waste Filter Coffee, on Germination of Grass and Basil Plants

Year 2025, Volume: 9 Issue: 4, 1069 - 1079

Selda Yiğit Hunce , Şeymanur Çelebi , Emine Elmaslar Özbaş , Miraç Nur Ciner , H. Kurtuluş Özcan

Abstract

This study focuses on the production of biochar via pyrolysis for the sustainable recycling of agricultural waste and the investigation of its effects on plant germination. The plant species selected for this study were basil (Ocimum basilicum) and grass (Lolium perenne). The present study investigates the soil-improving properties of biochar derived from filter coffee waste. In the experimental process, coffee waste was subjected to pyrolysis at specific temperatures, and the resulting biochar was analysed in terms of its physical and chemical properties. The resulting biochar was then mixed with soil at varying ratios to assess its effects on the germination and growth performance of basil and grass seeds. The application of 15% biochar resulted in the highest plant height (15 cm), although the fresh weight remained below that of the control. In the case of basil, plant development was only observed in the control group, while no growth occurred in any of the biochar-amended treatments. These results indicate that the effect of coffee waste-derived biochar on plant growth may vary depending on the plant species. While biochar applications enhanced soil water retention capacity, enriched organic matter content, and supported grass growth, they appeared to inhibit basil germination. In this context, it was demonstrated that biochar could potentially contribute to both agricultural waste management and sustainable agriculture when applied under suitable conditions.

Keywords

Filter coffee , Pyrolysis , Biochar , Plant germination

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