Mitigating phytotoxicity of hydrothermal liquefaction hydrochar toward potential agricultural applications

Abstract

Valorizing hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) by-products is essential to improve process sustainability and support its industrial-scale implementation. However, the direct agricultural application of HTL-derived hydrochar remains limited due to reported phytotoxic effects. By studying and mitigating phytotoxicity, this work evaluates the potential suitability for agricultural use of hydrochar, the solid by-product from continuous HTL of a 50/50 wt. % cattle manure and wheat straw mixture at 325 °C, separated with an in-line filter. Phytotoxicity was assessed using seed germination assays with Barley (Hordeum vulgare) and Cress (Lepidium sativum) seeds. Two hydrochar post-treatments, washing (hydrochloric acid and water) and pyrolysis (300 °C and 500 °C), were examined to mitigate hydrochar phytotoxicity. Raw HTL-hydrochar significantly hindered plant growth, reducing the root lengths of barley and cress by 37 % and 70 %, respectively, compared to the control. Water-washed post-treatment eliminated hydrochar phytotoxicity and enhanced Barley root growth by 42 % compared to control at a 15 ton ha⁻¹ application rate, indicating a possible growth-stimulating effect. Pyrolysis also mitigated hydrochar phytotoxic effects, with cress root lengths statistically similar to the control. No uptake of heavy metals by the plants were observed in the germination assays. These results suggest that phytotoxicity originates from water-soluble organic compounds, likely phenols, short-chain organic acids and aldehydes, produced during HTL process and adsorbed in the hydrochar surface. The novelty of this work lies in demonstrating the complete removal of phytotoxicity from HTL hydrochar using technologically mature and scalable post-treatments. Therefore, a barrier to hydrochar valorization is removed, enabling further investigations into agronomic applications. This work contributes to a circular biomass valorization strategy.