The Role of Biochar and Phosphorus in the Growth and Yield of Potatoes

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted, first was a laboratory to prepare plant charcoal from three different sources: rice straw, corn cobs, and sugarcane (B1, B2, and B3), with the aim of loading them with phosphorus from the superphosphate fertilizer source (21% P) at three levels of phosphorus: 50%, 75% and 100% of the recommended fertilizer for potatoes (F1, F2, and F3). Then, tested in a field experiment conducted at the agricultural research station of Anbar University’s College of Agriculture in Albu Etha-, located at longitude E43.32.65 and latitude N33.45.37 in the fall season of 2022. The soil texture was sandy clay loam and the irrigation system was drip irrigation. Burren potato variety was planted to study the effect of adding three types of plant charcoal, supported with different levels of phosphorus, and using them as slow-release fertilizers on the availability of phosphorus and some properties and growth and yield of potato. The experiment followed a randomized complete block design with three replicates. The results showed a significant superiority of all plant charcoals supported with phosphorus compared to the treatment without adding charcoal. The treatment that added sugarcane waste charcoal (B3) recorded the highest value in all studied plant characters and yield (plant height, chlorophyll content of leaves, number of aerial branches, dry matter yield, total tuber yield, and marketable tuber yield).