Farmers face increasing challenges from drought and rising fertilizer costs while also needing to manage growing amounts of agricultural and forestry waste

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded Alcorn State University $186,814.16 under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) on January 1, 2026, to investigate biochar and animal manure combinations as soil amendments for improving phosphorus availability, drought resilience, and fertilizer efficiency in acidic Mississippi soils.

The research will produce biochar from pine waste using a low-cost portable kiln system, then combine it with poultry, goat, and cow manure in varying compositions and timeframes. Greenhouse experiments will test these mixtures under different watering conditions to assess effects on soil biology and crop growth, with particular focus on how combinations affect nutrient availability and crop drought tolerance. The recipient will disseminate results to Mississippi farmers and extension agents through workshops, publications, and field demonstrations.

The project runs through July 31, 2027, with place of performance in Lorman, Mississippi. As an 1890 land-grant institution, Alcorn State University delivers research and extension programming to small farmers and limited-resource communities across Mississippi and the Southeast. The award falls under AFRI's Bioenergy, Natural Resources, and Environment priority area, supporting competitive grants to advance sustainable agriculture, maintain long-term production capability, and train the agricultural workforce.

Phosphorus, a critical plant nutrient, often becomes unavailable to crops in acidic soils common across mississippi, leading to poor yields and environmental pollution when excess fertilizer runs off into waterways. This project addresses these interconnected problems by investigating whether combining waste materials – specifically biochar made from pine waste and animal manures – can improve soil health, reduce fertilizer needs, and help crops survive drought conditions. The research will produce biochar using a low-cost portable kiln system to make biochar, then mix IT with poultry, goat, and COW manure for different time periods before application. We will examine how this process changes nutrient availability and identify which combinations work best. Greenhouse experiments will test these mixtures under different watering conditions to see how they affect soil biology and crop growth. Results will be shared with mississippi farmers and extension agents through workshops, publications, and demonstrations.by identifying affordable methods for converting waste into valuable soil amendments, this project will help farmers reduce dependence on expensive synthetic fertilizers, improve soil health on degraded lands, buildresilience through drought tolerance and carbon storage, and create economic opportunities through waste valorization. These benefits extend beyond individual farms to support rural economies, protect water quality, and advance sustainable agriculture across the southeastern united states.