Influence of rice hull biochar and cedar bark media on strawberry productivity and carbon sequestration potential in hydroponic systems

Abstract

This study evaluated the influence of rice hull biochar (RHB) and cedar bark media (CBM) as sustainable substrates for hydroponic strawberry cultivation. The total yield from virgin CBM was 413 g/plant and that from virgin RHB was 354 g/plant. Used CBM increased the yield by 4 % (429 g/plant) while used RHB increased yield by 18 % (419 g/plant) compared to the virgin, with no significant substrate differences. Fruit yields and physical properties were strongly correlated, particularly with particle density (R² = 0.573). After 7 years of cultivation, plant residues had accumulated in both substrates. Uncarbonized carbohydrates in RHB indicated 25.71 % and 0.40 kg/kg of carbonized carbon retained, which was 98.4 % compared to the virgin RHB. CBM decomposed overtime, limiting its long-term stability.