Impacts of rice-husk biochar on soil microbial biomass and agronomic performances of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Abstract

Tomato is beneficial to human health because it contains valuable vitamins such as vitamins A, C and several minerals. However, to meet up with the demands of the ever increasing population, there is need to improve tomato production. This research, thus, investigated the impact of rice-husk biochar on the agronomic performances of tomato plant and microbial biomass of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus in different tomato growth stages. The rice husk biochar pyrolyzed at 350 °C was amended with soil at four different application rates: 0, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 t/ha. Physicochemical property of soil was conducted using Mid Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy method. Impact of biochar on Microbial Biomass Carbon, Microbial Biomass Nitrogen and Microbial Biomass Phosphorous was conducted using fumigation extraction method and monitored at three functional stages. Biochar application appreciably increase the soil physicochemical properties such as pH, Ca, Na, H+, S, P, B, C, Zn and cation exchangeable capacity in comparison with the control. Biochar amended soil significantly enhanced tomato height, stem girth, leaf area, flowers, fruit yields and weight. Although, B3 recorded the lowest leaf area, it possessed the highest number of fruits and fruit weight of 3 and 40%, respectively. The ratio of Microbial biomass C:N:P for biochar amended soil at 7.5 t/ha (B3) was 302.30:18.81:11.75 µg/g, compared to control, which was 242.12:18.30:11.49 µg/g. This study revealed that biochar amendments significantly (p < 0.05) increased the yields and microbial biomass of tomato plants. Conclusively, the application of rice-husk biochar (7.5 t/ha) to soil is considered as a suitable approach to improve tomato growth and yield.

Overview of the use of biochar from main cereals to stimulate plant growth

“…Similar results were obtained by Xi et al (2020), where 2% (w/w) rice biochar application increased soil available N and K, resulting in taller lettuce plants, with longer roots, stronger leaves and stems, as well as greater leaf area. Tomato height, weight, number of flowers, and fruit yield were also improved after 7.5 t ha −1 rice husk application (Adebajo et al, 2022), and similar results were obtained in faba bean varieties with higher grain yield, fruit protein content, and plant height (Essa et al, 2021). In both cases, the growth improvement may be related to the impact of biochar on the physicochemical characteristics of the soils.…”

Biochar-Soil-Plant interactions: A cross talk for sustainable agriculture under changing climate

“…Taskin et al (2019) investigated the effects of poultry manure biochar on chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), maize (Zea mays L.), soybean (Glycine max L.) and bean (Vigna radiata L.) crops and observed positive effects on growth and other growth related parameters, mainly due to improvement in soil water holding capacity induced by biochar. Tomato height, weight, number of flowers, and fruit yield were also improved after 7.5 t ha −1 rice husk application (Adebajo et al, 2022), and similar results were obtained in faba bean varieties with higher grain yield, fruit protein content, and plant height due to the increased of soil available K and N after biochar addition (Essa et al, 2021). Increased rape shoot biomass (from 2.31 to 4.23 g) and grain yield after rice biochar application was the result of an improvement of soil chemical conditions (soil pH and cation exchange capacity) and nutrient availability (total C and N), together with changes in the associated microbiota (Shahab et al, 2018;Farid et al, 2022).…”

Utilization Of Waste From Vco Production As A Nata De Coco Stater ToIncrease The Income Of The People Of Kwt “Bengke Sakato”.

“…Likewise, other waste that has not been utilized, namely coconut shells. Coconut shells can be turned into charcoal (8)(9)(10)(11) and tiles or ceramics and bags.…”