Dataset of lignocellulosic residue valorization of cropland activities to produce activated carbon

This dataset compiles experimental and geospatial information on the valorization of agricultural lignocellulosic residues from Zacatecas, Mexico, for potential conversion into activated carbon. Data acquisition involved a combination of field sampling, laboratory analysis, and Geographic Information System (GIS) processing. Four primary crops were selected, corn, oats, agave, and garlic due to their significant residue generation. Residues were collected and characterized for their cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, ash, and nutrient content following standardized protocols, including the Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) method and sequential Van Soest methodology. Nutrient analysis was performed using the brucine sulfate method for nitrogen and the ascorbic acid technique for phosphates. All analyses were conducted in triplicate to ensure reproducibility, and the coefficient of variation was calculated to identify possible outliers. Complementary to experimental work, spatial data were obtained using QGIS software and official geospatial datasets. These included digital elevation models, land use maps, and administrative boundaries. Layers were integrated to generate land use and vegetation distribution maps, supported by zonal statistics and reclassification tools. Production and yield statistics for 2023 were extracted from the Servicio de Información Agroalimentaria y Pesquera (SIAP) database, allowing for the calculation of residue generation per crop through residue-to-product ratios. The dataset integrates thematic and spatial data across multiple layers-municipalities, land use, and hydrological regions-allowing a comprehensive territorial analysis of biomass availability. The repository includes raw and processed data in formats compatible with Excel and QGIS. It is organized into directories containing land-use shapefiles, municipality coordinates, crop production tables, and physicochemical characterization files. Tables provide detailed information on harvested area, production volume, yields, estimated residue generation, lignocellulosic composition, nutrient content, and conversion yields to activated carbon. This dataset has the potential for reuse in diverse contexts. It can be applied in comparative studies of biomass valorization across regions, extended to evaluate other agricultural systems using similar GIS and residue quantification methods, or integrated into models of circular economy (CE) strategies. The structured information is also suitable for environmental planning, crop residue management assessments, and as a reference for laboratory-scale experiments on biomass conversion technologies. Furthermore, its reproducibility and spatially explicit design support applications in academic research, sustainable resource management, and decision-making in agricultural and environmental policy. This study more clearly addresses the existing research gap in the valorization of lignocellulosic agricultural residues by integrating, for the first time, an experimental and geospatial approach to quantify, characterize, and map the territorial availability of biomass in Zacatecas, Mexico. This methodological integration represents a specific and relevant contribution to the scientific literature, providing a solid foundation for the sustainable planning of agricultural residue utilization and the development of circular economy strategies at the regional or national levels.