Characterization of Biochar from Prunus armeniaca shells collected in cold desert Kargil, Ladakh, as a soil enhancer

Cold desert regions such as Kargil in Ladakh face severe agricultural challenges due to poor soil fertility, limited nutrient availability, water scarcity, and short growing seasons, leading to a heavy reliance on chemical fertilizers. This study explores the potential of biochar produced from locally available apricot seed shells (Prunus armeniaca), an abundant agro-waste in the region, as a sustainable soil amendment. The biochar was applied to native cold desert soil to evaluate its influence on soil fertility and plant growth using spinach (Spinacia oleracea), a commonly cultivated vegetable in household gardens. Compared with untreated soil, biochar-amended soil showed improved plant growth, reflected in increased leaf size and leaf number. The results demonstrate that apricot seed shell biochar can enhance soil quality and support healthier vegetable growth under cold desert conditions. By converting locally generated apricot agro-waste into a value-added soil amendment, this study proposes a region-specific and sustainable strategy to improve soil productivity while reducing dependence on external chemical fertilizers. The findings highlight the potential of apricot seed shell biochar as an environmentally sustainable option for soil management and agricultural resilience in fragile cold desert ecosystems such as Kargil, Ladakh.