Agricultural researchers from the Polytechnic University of Cartagena (UPCT) have compared the yields of organically fertilized artichoke crops with biochar with those obtained with conventional inorganic fertilization for three years, finding that the use of charcoal achieves comparable and even higher economic profitability.

The artichokes obtained with organic fertilization presented better organoleptic and functional characteristics, so the research concludes that the treatment with biochar maximizes production and the appearance of first-class heads while increasing soil fertility.

The tests were carried out as part of the Agroalnext program and in collaboration with the El Mirador Demonstration and Technology Transfer Center, in the municipality of San Javier, and have been collected by the Final Degree Project in Agri-Food Engineering by Santiago Jiménez.

“Combined with the organic amendments added before starting production on the plot, the biochar has provided the necessary nutrients to the plants for optimal development,” explains the director of the TFG, María Carmen Martínez Ballesta. “The importance of this result lies in the fact that the protocol and the biochar are authorized for organic farming,” adds the professor from the School of Agricultural Engineering at UPCT.

Biochar is produced by pyrolysis and stands out for its high porosity, which is why it manages to retain water and nutrients in the soil. UPCT is also applying it in trials of the NewAgroMarMenor project, funded by the Biodiversity Foundation, and has achieved savings of 9% in irrigation water and significantly reduced nitrate leaching.

The Agroalnext programme was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities with NextGenerationEU funds (PRTR-C17.I1) and by the Seneca Foundation with funds from the Region of Murcia Government.