Utilization of agro-industrial residues for producing pelletized soil amendments through moisture-optimized pelletization
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Abstract
Agricultural industrial residues represent an abundant yet underutilized resource for developing sustainable soil amendment products. This study investigated the conversion of three agro-industrial wastes, filter cake (FC), black rice husk ash (BRHA), and soil-rich cassava wash residue (SCR), into pelletized soil amendments through moisture-optimized pelletization. The objectives were to determine suitable moisture conditions for pellet formation, evaluate the physical and mechanical properties of the pellets, and assess their effects on maize (Zea mays L.) seedling growth. Physicochemical characterization indicated that FC served as the primary organic and nutrient-rich component. Individual moisture optimization revealed distinct pelletization behaviors among the materials, with the optimal moisture range for mixed formulations identified as 21.32–30.12%. Six blended formulations (F1–F6) were produced using a flat-die pellet mill. Pellet properties varied significantly among formulations, particularly in density, mechanical durability, and wettability, reflecting the influence of material composition, yielding pellets with bulk densities of 556.65–670.36 kg/m³, mechanical durability of 47.79–90.93%, and wettability index values between 26.44% and 43.38%. Maize seedling experiments showed significant treatment effects (P ≤ 0.05) on all growth parameters. Formulation F5 (FC60:BRHA30:SCR10) demonstrated the most balanced overall performance, achieving growth responses comparable to or exceeding those of the commercial soil amendment. These results demonstrate that agro-industrial wastes can be effectively valorized into pelletized soil amendments with favorable physicochemical properties and promising agronomic performance, offering a practical approach for transforming regional waste streams into products for circular agriculture.
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
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