Biochar as a Soil Amendment Tool: Effects on Soil Properties and Yield of Maize and Cabbage in Brong-Ahafo Region, Ghana

• 作者: Ato Bart-Plange Claudia Maria Branco de Freitas Maia Edward Abingya Awafo Emmanuel Amankwah Eric Osei Essandoh Francis Kemausuor Gilbert Ayine Akolgo Thomas Atta-Darkwa
• 来源期刊: 土壤科学期刊(英文)
• 学科: 农学
• 关键词: BIOCHAR Physicochemical Properties Soil Amendment Ghana MAIZE YIELD
• 年，卷（期）: 2020,（3）
• 页码范围: 91-108
• 页数: 18页
• 分类号: S15

摘要

Ghana’s soil is continuously declining in fertility due to continuous cultivation and rapid mineralization of its soil organic matter. Previous studies have touted the potential of biochar to help improve soil properties and increase the yield of crops. This study investigated the effects of the application of biochar on physicochemical properties of soil and the yield of maize and cabbage in Ghana. The study indicated that application of biochar significantly increased soil organic matter (SOM) from 3.88% (for control) to 5.72% (for biochar application rate 20 ton/ha and 0 ton/ha of NPK). It also increased soil pH from 6.55 in (for control) to 7.30 (for biochar application rate 20 ton/ha) and 0 ton/ha of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) which can help ameliorate the soil acidity problem of Ghanaian soils. This field study, demonstrated that addition of biochar from sawdust increased the yield (between the control (0 ton/ha of biochar, 0% of recommended dose of NPK) and 20 ton/ha, 0% recommended dose of NPK) of maize and cabbage by 6.66% and 7.57% respectively. This study concluded that application of biochar offers a great potential to improve soil quality and the yield of maize and cabbage in Ghana.