1.2 Detalles de contacto de las personas de referencia e instituciones involucradas en la evaluación y la documentación de la Tecnología

Nombre de la(s) institución(es) que facilitaron la documentación/ evaluación de la Tecnología (si fuera relevante)

Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (AGRI.PDN) - Sri Lanka

1.3 Condiciones referidas al uso de datos documentados mediante WOCAT

El compilador y la/s persona(s) de referencia claves aceptan las condiciones acerca del uso de los datos documentados mediante WOCAT:

Sí

1.4 Declaración de la sostenibilidad de la Tecnología descrita

¿La Tecnología aquí descrita resulta problemática en relación a la degradación de la tierra, de tal forma que no puede considerársela una tecnología sostenible para el manejo de la tierra?

No

Comentarios:

Urea is the type of nitrogen fertilizer available in Sri Lanka. Urea is readily soluble in water and hydrolyses to ammonia which in turn is converted to nitrate by microorganisms. Nitrate can be lost by leaching, volatilization, and denitrification in paddy fields. However, slow release fertilizer (SRF) releases the N in urea slowly to the soil and allows efficient uptake by the crop at the right time. Hence, it reduces the negative environmental impacts associated with N losses and also maintains adequate productivity in rice cultivation. In addition, this technology reduces CO2 emissions from rice husks to the atmosphere.

2.1 Breve descripción de la Tecnología

Definición de la Tecnología:

Rice husks, a waste product generated in rice mills, can release its carbon as a greenhouse gas (GHG) to the atmosphere through burning or decomposition. Converting it into biochar and intercalating (filled) with urea can produce a slow-release nitrogen (N) fertiliser that improves N-use efficiency while minimizing GHG emissions.

2.2 Descripción detallada de la Tecnología

Descripción:

Rice husks are often considered as a waste, and its carbon is released to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide (CO2) which is a greenhouse gas (GHG) through either decomposition or burning as a biofuel. However, rice husks can be converted into biochar – where its carbon is stable - with a large number of micro and sub-micron size pores in a honeycomb-like structure. Rice husk biochar was produced using an improved batch pyrolizer, “Kunthaniya”, at a temperature of between 450°C and 650°C. Pore spaces in rice husk biochar can be intercalated (filled) with urea and then, slow-release fertilizer (SRF) pellets can be produced through the use of a suitable biodegradable binder. This SRF has found to be more efficient in improving the N-use efficiency, hence the urea requirement of paddy fields in Sri Lanka can be reduced by about 25%, further contributing to environment sustainability. It has been well documented that biochar can improve soil physical, chemical and biological properties in a sustainable manner. This process is a contribution to creative recycling of agricultural waste.
The SRF technology was evaluated against current farmer practice in rice cultivated area in Mahakanumulla village, Anuradhapura district, Sri Lanka. The area belongs to the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka (mean annual rainfall <1750mm). Rice is cultivated during two seasons, yala (May-September) and maha (December – February): the yala season is generally drier. Farmers rely on irrigation water supplied from a small village tank. The SRF was transported to farmers’ fields and applied at 2 weeks (@ 100 kg/ha), at 4 weeks (@ 170 kg/ha) and 7 weeks (@ 145 kg/ha) after direct seeding.
Farmers indicated that the granule size was large and light, hence they had some concerns about even distribution of fertilizer. They perceive that plants receive N slowly compared to granular urea - suggesting the slow releasing nature of the new technology. They did not observe any yield difference. Obtaining rice husks in large quantities from rice mills to produce biochar can sometimes be difficult in some areas of the country due to competition for use in the poultry industry. Some farmers may be discouraged to implement this technology due to lack of knowledge: this can be overcome through extension officers operating at field level.

This new technology qualifies as a sustainable land management practice in number of ways. First it increases N-use efficiency in paddy fields, second it reduces the urea requirement by 25% while sustaining productivity, third it recycles agricultural wastes in paddy fields, fourth, repeated application of SRF improves soil fertility through rice husk biochar, and finally it reduces GHG emissions.

2.3 Fotografías de la Tecnología

2.5 País/ región/ lugares donde la Tecnología fue aplicada y que se hallan comprendidos por esta evaluación

2.6 Fecha de la implementación

Indique año de implementación:

2021

2.7 Introducción de la Tecnología

Especifique cómo se introdujo la Tecnología:

• durante experimentos/ investigación
• mediante proyectos/ intervenciones externas

3.1 Propósito(s) principal(es) de la Tecnología MST

• mejorar la producción
• reducir, prevenir, restaurar la degradación del suelo
• mitigar cambio climático y sus impactos
• crear impacto económico benéfico
• crear impacto social benéfico

3.2 Tipo(s) actuales de uso de la tierra donde se aplica la Tecnología

Mezcla de tipos de uso de tierras dentro de la misma unidad de tierras: :

No

3.3 ¿Cambió el uso de tierras debido a la implementación de la Tecnología?

¿Cambió el uso de tierras debido a la implementación de la Tecnología?

• No (Continúe con la pregunta 3.4)

3.4 Provisión de agua

Provisión de agua para la tierra donde se aplica la Tecnología:

• mixta de secano – irrigada

Comentarios:

Rice farmers in Mahakanumulla mainly depend on irrigation water supplied from a small tank located above the rice fields. However, farmers do not irrigate rice fields if they receive adequate rainfall. But, increasingly, farmers depend on irrigation water due to decreasing rainfall during the growing season.

3.5 Grupo MST al que pertenece la Tecnología

• manejo integrado de la fertilidad del suelo
• manejo de desperdicios/ manejo de aguas residuales

3.6 Medidas MST que componen la Tecnología

Comentarios:

Application of SRF to the crop at the required growth stages to improve the soil fertility and, thus, crop productivity.

3.7 Principales tipos de degradación del suelo encarados con la Tecnología

Comentarios:

The SRF technology improves soil fertility by reducing nitrogen (N) loss from the soil due to leaching. And it also reduces accumulation of excess N in surface and ground water bodies, preventing water pollution.

3.8 Prevención, reducción o restauración de la degradación del suelo

Especifique la meta de la Tecnología con relación a la degradación de la tierra:

• reducir la degradación del suelo

Comentarios:

The use of conventional N fertilizers to cultivate rice for a long period of time causes higher N losses from the soil and results a potential risk of environment pollution. Application as an SRF reduces the losses of N from the soil, increases crop nutrient uptake and increases crop productivity. The reduced losses mitigate soil fertility degradation and deterioration of water quality.

4.1 Dibujo técnico de la Tecnología

4.2 Información general sobre el cálculo de insumos y costos

Especifique cómo se calcularon los costos e insumos:

• por área de Tecnología

otra / moneda nacional (especifique):

LKR

Si fuera relevante, indique la tasa de cambio de dólares americanos a la moneda local (ej. 1 U$ = 79.9 Reales Brasileros): 1 U$ =:

275,0

4.3 Actividades de establecimiento

	Actividad	Momento (estación)
1.	Collection of paddy husk from rice milling stations	2 months before cultivation
2.	Pyrolyzing of paddy husk using a pyrolizer or a kunthani	6 weeks before cultivation
3.	Mixing with urea, ERP and other ingredients and pelletizing	4 weeks before cultivation
4.	Drying the pellets (SRF)	2 weeks before cultivation
5.	Packing and transporting SRF to the rice fields	1 week before cultivation

Comentarios:

One of the major raw materials to produce SRF is rice husks and it can be supplied from rice milling stations, generally available year-round. However, there is competition for rice husks in the market because of demand from the poultry industry. Hence, finding rice husks is sometimes difficult in some areas of the country.

4.4 Costos e insumos necesarios para el establecimiento

	Especifique insumo	Unidad	Cantidad	Costos por unidad	Costos totales por insumo	% de los costos cubiertos por los usuarios de las tierras
Mano de obra	Manufacturing SRF	Labour days	2,5	1500,0	3750,0
Fertilizantes y biocidas	Urea	kg	200,0	270,0	54000,0
Material de construcción	Binding materials 1	kg	10,0	25,0	250,0
Material de construcción	Binding materials 2	kg	10,0	250,0	2500,0
Material de construcción	Rice husk biochar	kg	200,0	50,0	10000,0
Costos totales para establecer la Tecnología					70500,0
Costos totales para establecer la Tecnología en USD					256,36

Si el usuario de la tierra no cubrió el 100% de los costos, indique quién financió el resto del costo:

Project funded by the National Research Council of Sri Lanka (Grant No. : NRC TO-16/07)

Comentarios:

SRF was given to the farmer, free, for application. The cost of SRF was borne by the project funded by the National Research Council of Sri Lanka (Grant No. : NRC TO-16/07)

4.5 Actividades de establecimiento/ recurrentes

	Actividad	Momento/ frequencia
1.	Application of first dose of SRF	2 weeks after direct seeding of rice
2.	Application of second dose of SRF	4 weeks after direct seeding of rice
3.	Application of third dose of SRF	7 weeks after direct seeding of rice

Comentarios:

Application of correct amount of SRF at the correct growth stage of the rice crop is important for efficient uptake of N to the crop and reduce losses.

4.6 Costos e insumos necesarios para actividades de mantenimiento/ recurrentes (por año)

	Especifique insumo	Unidad	Cantidad	Costos por unidad	Costos totales por insumo	% de los costos cubiertos por los usuarios de las tierras
Mano de obra	Labour for SRF application	Labour days	3,0	1500,0	4500,0	100,0
Indique los costos totales para mantenecer la Tecnología					4500,0
Costos totales para mantener la Tecnología en USD					16,36

4.7 Factores más determinantes que afectan los costos:

Describa los factores más determinantes que afectan los costos:

Labour availability and finding raw materials are the major factors that affect the cost.

5.1 Clima

5.2 Topografía

Indique si la Tecnología se aplica específicamente en:

• no relevante

Comentarios y especificaciones adicionales sobre topografía :

The altitude of the area is 112m. An undulating pattern of topography is a distinct feature of this landscape. The rice is cultivated mainly in the valley area of the catena and other upland crops are cultivated in the crest area of the catena.

5.3 Suelos

Si se halla disponible, adjunte una descripción completa de los suelos o especifique la información disponible, por ej., tipo de suelo, pH/ acidez de suelo, capacidad de intercambio catiónico, nitrógeno, salinidad, etc. :

Rice growing soils of the Mahakanumulla area are classified as Alfisols (Typic endoaquaalf). The soil is poorly drained. The pH of the soil is in the neutral range (6.05-7.23). Soil EC (55.5-143.0 µs/cm, 1:2.5 soil:water) values did not show any occurrence of soil salinity. Av. P content of the soil (Olsen P) was low for rice growth (<5 mg/kg) and ranged from 2.9-3.5 mg/kg. Av. K content of the soils was medium to high for rice growth and ranged from 61.3-99 mg/kg.

5.4 Disponibilidad y calidad de agua

¿La salinidad del agua es un problema?

No

¿Se está llevando a cabo la inundación del área? :

No

Comentarios y especificaciones adicionales sobre calidad y cantidad de agua:

The amount of water supplied through the irrigation is limited during the dry season (yala). The water quality is affected by soil macro-nutrients (N, P, K) added as fertilizers to the soil. Due to the undulating topography of the landscape, those soil nutrients can wash-off from higher positions to lower positions due to surface runoff and leaching into the ground water and accumulating in the water bodies in the lower positions of the catena.

5.5 Biodiversidad

Comentarios y especificaciones adicionales sobre biodiversidad:

Number of different tree species, wild animals, birds, insects and aquatic life can be observed around Mahakanumulla village. Forest patches can be identified mostly around the small tank, and those areas are habitats for multiple wild animals and birds.

5.6 Las características de los usuarios de la tierra que aplican la Tecnología

Indique otras características relevantes de los usuarios de las tierras:

Most of the land users are dependent on full time rice farming. But some land users use rice farming as a secondary source of income and do other jobs in the city. Most of the younger generation in the village are migrating for jobs in the cities.

5.7 Área promedio de la tierra usada por usuarios de tierra que aplican la Tecnología

5.8 Tenencia de tierra, uso de tierra y derechos de uso de agua

Tenencia de tierra:

• individual, con título

Derechos de uso de tierra:

• individual

Derechos de uso de agua:

• comunitarios (organizado)

¿Los derechos del uso de la tierra se basan en un sistema legal tradicional?

No

5.9 Acceso a servicios e infraestructura

Comentarios:

The villagers of Mahaknumulla have access for most of the resources like infrastructure and energy/electricity/fuel. But most of the villagers/landusers complain about technical assistant/support for agricultural practices, finding markets for their produce and availability of good quality drinking water. The villagers go to nearby shops to buy day-to-day needs, but they have to go to the town, which is 8-10km away, for other services such as health and financial services.

6.1 Impactos in situ demostrados por la Tecnología

Impactos socioeconómicos

Producción

Disponibilidad y calidad de agua

Ingreso y costos

Impactos socioculturales

Impactos ecológicos

Ciclo de agua/ escurrimiento de sedimento

Suelo

Biodiversidad: vegetación, animales

Reducción de riesgos de desastres y riesgos climáticos

Especifique la evaluación de los impactos en el sitio (mediciones):

Plant growth parameters and yield

6.2 Impactos fuera del sitio demostrados por la Tecnología

6.3 Exposición y sensibilidad de la Tecnología al cambio climático gradual y a extremos relacionados al clima/ desastres (desde la percepción de los usuarios de tierras)

Cambio climático gradual

Cambio climático gradual

	Estación	Incremento o reducción	¿Cómo es que la tecnología soporta esto?
temperatura anual		incrementó	no se sabe
lluvia anual		disminuyó	no se sabe

6.4 Análisis costo-beneficio

¿Cómo se comparan los beneficios con los costos de establecimiento (desde la perspectiva de los usuarios de tierra)?

¿Cómo se comparan los beneficios con los costos de mantenimiento/ recurrentes (desde la perspectiva de los usuarios de tierra)?

6.5 Adopción de la Tecnología

• casos individuales / experimentales

Si tiene la información disponible, cuantifique (número de hogares y/o área cubierta):

5 farmers/households

6.6 Adaptación

¿La tecnología fue modificada recientemente para adaptarse a las condiciones cambiantes?

No

6.7 Fuerzas/ ventajas/ oportunidades de la Tecnología

Fuerzas/ ventajas/ oportunidades desde la perspectiva del usuario de la tierra
This technology uses less chemical fertilizer and therefore it is good for their health and environment
This technology gives better crop growth and slightly higher yield
Biochar could improve the fertility of the soil

Fuerzas/ ventajas/ oportunidades desde la perspectiva del compilador o de otra persona de referencia clave
SRF reduces the N losses from the soil and allows the rice crop to uptake N effectively from soil at required growth stages. Efficient N uptake promotes the crop growth and increase the productivity.
Reduced N losses of SRF directly influence the water quality by reducing the losses of N through surface runoff and leaching and avoid accumulation in water bodies at the lower positions of the landscape.
Rice husks, which is are good source of C, are utilized for SRF production; hence it promotes C sequestration as it is added back to the soil as biochar. It improves the soil organic carbon pool and promotes carbon sequestration in soil.
Utilizing rice husks by returning back to the rice fields is an effective solution for rice waste management.
If the SRF production technology can be transferred to farmers, their societies can produce the SRF by themselves from the wastes generated in small scale rice mills.

6.8 Debilidades/ desventajas/ riesgos de la Tecnología y formas de sobreponerse a ellos

Debilidades/ desventajas/ riesgos desde la perspectiva del usuario de la tierra	¿Cómo sobreponerse a ellas?
Additional cost despite reduced chemical fertilizer	increased crop yields can partially compensate this. They can produce their own SRF if the production technology is transferred to them
Uneven distribution of nitrogen in the field	Changing the water management practices that have been currently adopted by farmers

Debilidades/ desventajas/ riesgos desde la perspectiva del compilador o de otra persona de referencia clave	¿Cómo sobreponerse a ellas?
The raw materials need to be formulated accurately to get the benefits of the technology. Hence, technical knowledge and experience is required when preparing SRF.	Proper guidance and technical support from the beginning to the end of the process is essential. This can be achieved through educating and training extension officers to teach and disseminate knowledge for farmers.

7.1 Métodos/ fuentes de información

7.2 Vínculos a las publicaciones disponibles

Título, autor, año, ISBN:

Preparation of Biochar as a Soil Amendment from Rice Husk and Corn Cob by Slow Pyrolysis Process, S.T. Munasinghe, R.S. Dharmakeerthi, P. Weerasinghe and L.G.S. Madusanka, ISSN 0041-3224

¿Dónde se halla disponible? ¿Costo?

Tropical Agriculturist Journal

Título, autor, año, ISBN:

Changes in Structural and Chemical Properties of Rice Husk Biochar Co-pyrolysed with Eppawala Rock Phosphate under Different Temperatures, D.K.R.P.L. Dissanayake, R.S. Dharmakeerthi, A.K. Karunarathna and W.S. Dandeniya, ISSN: 2706-0233

¿Dónde se halla disponible? ¿Costo?

Tropical Agricultural Research Journal

Título, autor, año, ISBN:

Biochar Based Slow-Release Urea Fertilizer: Production and Assessing the Effects on Growth of Lowland Rice and Nitrogen Dynamics in an Alfisol, M.K.N.W. Jayarathna, R.S. Dharmakeerthi and W.M.U.K. Rathnayaka, ISSN: 2706-0233

¿Dónde se halla disponible? ¿Costo?

Tropical Agricultural Research Journal

7.3 Vínculos a la información relevante disponible en línea

Título/ descripción:

Changes in Structural and Chemical Properties of Rice Husk Biochar Co-pyrolysed with Eppawala Rock Phosphate under Different Temperatures

URL:

http://192.248.43.153/bitstream/1/3160/2/PGIATAR_30_1_19.pdf

Título/ descripción:

Biochar Based Slow-Release Urea Fertilizer: Production and Assessing the Effects on Growth of Lowland Rice and Nitrogen Dynamics in an Alfisol

URL:

https://tar.sljol.info/articles/abstract/10.4038/tar.v32i2.8464/

7.4 Comentarios generales

The WOCAT questionnaire on SLM technologies covers all the aspects that can affect on the sustainability of natural and human environment.