Transforming Goat and Rabbit Wastes into Sustainable Biochar for Enhanced Soil Health and Carbon Sequestration

This study examined the pyrolytic synthesis, physicochemical characterisation, and applicability analyses of BC-based manure (or BCM) from goat droppings (GDs) and rabbit manure (RM). Dried raw materials of GDs and RM were pyrolyzed in a batch-operated drum kiln prolyser at a temperature of 600 °C for 30 minutes of residence/holding time. The BCM was then characterised to determine their physicochemical properties, which include the following; pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), oxidation–reduction potential (ORP), salinity (SAL), electrical conductivity (EC), and density (ρ). The results showed pH 8.84 –9.60, TDS 192.15 – 708.21 mg/L, ORP 17.33 – 40 mV, SAL 156.67 – 570 ppm, and EC 315 – 1161 μS/cm. For all cases, the physicochemical properties of RM BCM were higher than the GD. On the other hand, the density of the GD BCM (683.33 kg/m³) was higher than the RM (311.11 kg/m³). The higher RM BCM values suggest higher available nutrients for improved soil health, whereas the higher density of GD BCM indicates a compact structure for enhanced stability in soils. Hence, RM BCM is better suited for soil enrichment, whereas GD BCM is better suited for soil structure conditioning and carbon sequestration. Overall, this study demonstrates the successful synthesis of BCM from RM and GD, which offers a practical sustainable waste management approach and improved agricultural soils for enhanced food production.