Journal of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences ISSN:2233-8322(Print) 2508-870X(Online)

In the face of global environment problems, the mitigation or sequestration of greenhouse gases have been extensively studied. In particular, biochar has garnered much attention as a means to reduce carbon dioxide through carbon sequestration. Therefore, the present study sought to improve plant growth and enhance economic feasibility in terms of the price of carbon credits due to carbon sequestration by converting agro-byproducts to biochar and applying it as a fertilizer. Pepper stem, perilla stem, and chaff were selected as the agro-byproducts. Pepper and perilla stems were pelletized and converted to biochar. Unamended culture soil was used as the negative control and culture soil supplemented with commercial biochar as the positive control. Cherry tomato was cultivated. Each type of biochar was applied by mixing with culture soil at 0.5% (w/w) or 1% (w/w). More cherry tomatoes were produced in biochar-amended soils, although the differences between the biochar-treated and negative control groups were not significant. Plant height significantly differed between the biochar-treated and negative control groups, except in the pepper stem biochar-treated group. Total carbon sequestered was respectively 13.26% and 15.27%－26.44% in the negative control and biochar-treated groups. In terms of carbon credits, a profit of ₩3,976,906－40,130,253 ha-1 was estimated with biochar amendment. Although there was no significant difference in the number of cherry tomatoes using culture soil, a significant difference may appear if field soil is used. Moreover, profits from carbon credits due to carbon sequestration are expected to fluctuate.