THE PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF AGRICULTURAL WASTE INOCULATED WITH ALGINATE-PRODUCING BACTERIA: STRUCTURAL MODIFICATION FOR BIOCHAR STABILITY AS A SOIL AMENDMENT FORMULA

This study aims to study the physicochemical characteristics of biochar produced from agricultural waste (palm kernel shells, empty fruit bunches and corn cobs), and its changes after being treated with alginate-producing bacterial isolates. After inoculation of the alginate- producing bacterial isolate coded KK1-40 for 28 days, biochar characterization was carried out which included surface functional groups and biochar structures (porosity and crystal) using FTIR and XRD, respectively. The results showed that the bacterial isolate KK1-40 changed the surface of the biochar by shifting the value of the hydroxyl (O-H) carboxyl (C = O) band, aromatic rings (C = C) and alcohol. Inoculation of bacterial isolates in biochar improved the structure and aromatics of oil palm shell and empty fruit bunches and increased porosity through hexagonal changes and 002 diffraction.From this study, it can be concluded that biochar stabilization in the soil is influenced by alginate-producing bacteria introduced into biochar products. This study presents a new biochar structure modification through in-situ biopolymer- based activation, so that it is more effectively used as a soil amendment that leads to improved agricultural land.