Comparative Effects of Poultry Waste, Biochar and Blended Biochar on the Yield of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)
- May 2, 2019
- Posted by: RSIS
- Category: Agriculture
International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VI, Issue IV, April 2019 | ISSN 2321–2705
A. M. Aderemi1, A.Y. Sangodoyin2
1Agricultural Technology Department, Federal College of Forestry, Ibadan, Nigeria
2Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
Abstract:- Various soil activities that lead to soil degradation have brought about the use of biochar as an amendment to rebuild soil health, improve crop yields, increase soil water storage, and restore soils affected by these activities particularly when blended with poultry manure.Poultry manure has been proven to be a good organic fertilizer for the growth and yield of plants.
Pot experiments were conducted to assess the growth rate of okra in response to poultry waste, biochar and blended biochar addition to soil. The treatments were arranged in completely randomized design with 13 treatments comprising 10 g kg-1, 30 g kg-1, 50 g kg-1and 70 g kg-1 addition of poultry waste, biochar, blended biochar to soil and a control. There were 5 replications in each of the treatments except the control and the parameters assessed during the experiment were: plant height (cm), leaf area (cm2), stem diameter (mm) and leaf count.
The observations recorded on the growth parameters on the 35th day showed that poultry wastes at 30g kg-1 on topsoil (T2) performed best in plant height with the mean of 32.58 cm, mean stem diameter of 51.20 mm and mean leaf area of 47.50cm2 while blended biochar at 30g kg-1 performed best in leaf production. However, it was observed that okra plants in soil treated with blended biochar at different rates started showing rapid growth in other parameters like stem height, stem diameter and leaf area from 30th day.
Bud production was also assessed on the 35th day of the experiment and it was observed that soil blended biochar at 50g kg-1 had the best bud production which indicated high yield of okra fruit. Among the treatments, blended biochar at 50g kg-1 of topsoil has the highest number of buds. Thus, it is proposed that for the soil having similar physico-chemical properties, the same rate of blended biochar should be used for high yield production of okra. These results provide an avenue for soil management systems with blended biochar as an amendment for horticultural crops. However, long time verification in the field is suggested for specific recommendations.
