Effect of Biochar and Inorganic Fertilizer in Yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir) Production in a Forest Agroecological Zone

Abstract

Yam production is characterized by low fertilizer input and annual shifting in search for fertile lands. This practice usually leads to reduction in the yield potential of the crop and destruction of the environment. Biochar additions through its ability to improve soil fertility and increase crop yields could be used to solve these problems. This study therefore investigated the effect of biochar and inorganic fertilizer application on yam production in a forest agro ecological zone in Ghana. A 4×3 factorial experiment in a randomised complete block design with three replications was used. The treatments consisted of four application rates of wood shaving biochar (0 t ha -1 , 5 t ha -1 , 10 t ha -1 and 15 t ha -1 ) and three inorganic fertilizer rates ( 0-0-0 N-P 2 O 5 -K 2 O kg ha . No significant differences in soil parameters in response to the treatment were observed, with the exception of total N, where a decline was observed for all the treatments compared to the controls after harvest. Vegetative growth parameters of yam were not significantly influenced by biochar and inorganic fertilizer application. The number of seed yams per hectare was the only yield parameter that was significantly (p = 0.05) decreased by biochar application. Dry matter, production was also significantly (p = 0.05) increased by fertilizer application at 24 weeks after planting and at harvest. It is suggested that aged and higher rates of biochar would efficiently support yam production.

Effects of amendments on the bioavailability, transformation and accumulation of heavy metals by pakchoi cabbage in a multi-element contaminated soil

“…It costs 631.49 US dollars to produce 540 kg biochar, which is thousands of US dollars per ton. 53 This will directly affect the remediation effect and cost control. Therefore, it is necessary to further adjust the types and rates ratio of organic amendments to achieve economic and effective effect.…”

Influence of Different Rates of Fertilizer and Biochar on Growth and Yield of Carrot (Daucus carota) in the Forest-Savannah Transitional Zone of Ghana

“…This could be explained by the uniformity in growth rate and the ratio of economic to total biomass. Interaction effect of fertilizer and biochar on total yield during the minor season was significant to show that soil amendment with chemical and organic materials influence yield [21]. This observation is explained by the capacity of moderate amounts of biochar to improve gravimetric moisture content, volumetric moisture content, soil porosity and reducing soil acidity towards the allocation of photosynthetic assimilates to sink tissues of the economic parts of plants as observed by Suppadit et al [22] and Verheijen et al [23].…”

Effect of Biochar and Inorganic Fertilizer on the Soil Properties and Growth and Yield of Onion (Allium cepa) in Tropical Ethiopia

“…The soil properties become increased due to the application of biochar to the soil [ 31 ]. An increase in soil parameters as a result of biochar and inorganic fertilizer amendment has been similarly reported by several researchers [ 32 , 33 ].…”

“…An increase in soil parameters as a result of biochar and inorganic fertilizer amendment has been similarly reported by several researchers [ 32 , 33 ]. Biochar and inorganic fertilizer did not show a significant difference in crop yield and agronomic structures [ 31 ]. This is a similar finding to our study; that is, onion yield is similar when treated by biochar grass and inorganic fertilizer (Tables 2 – 6 ).…”