Effect of applying Banana Waste Biochar on soil properties and growth of cultivated plants in sandy soil

Abstract

Three pot experiments were conducted during three successive seasons to study the effects of Banana trees residues biochar at a level of 0 , 0.5, 1, 2 and 5% on the soil properties, N, P, and K availability as well as, growth, nutrient uptake of different crop plants under this study The results showed that, additions of banana waste biochar to the soil led to an increase in the organic matter content, pH , EC , total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium in the soil. On the other hand, it led to a decrease in the percentage of the total calcium carbonate in the soil. These effects increase with increasing the rate of biochar added to the soil. In addition, the use of banana waste biochar at low rates (0.5 and 1%) led to an increase in the plant height, root length, dry matter yield of plants and N, P and K uptake by plants compared to other treatments. On the other hand, application of banana biochar at rates 2 and 5% gave significant decreased in the height of plants, root length, dry matter yield and N, P and K uptake by plants compared to other treatments. These results show that, additional research is required to determine the shortand long-term effects of adding banana waste biochar treatments on the characteristics of the soil and available nutrients as well as plant growth and nutrients uptake under field conditions and extensive trials.