Nutrient uptake, maximum yield production, and economic return of maize under deficit irrigation with biochar and inorganic fertiliser amendments

Abstract

The individual and combined effects of biochar (B) and inorganic fertiliser (F) have all been widely proofed to improve soil fertility and enhance crop growth and yield under irrigation (I) and rain fed conditions. However, the strength of their individual and combined effects on crop productivity has been scarcely reported. In addition, few studies have assessed their individual and co-application effects on economic returns. Therefore, a 2-year field experiment which consisted of factorial combination of irrigation (I) [100% full irrigation (FI), 80% FI and 60% FI], biochar (0 and 20 t/ha) and fertiliser (0 and 300 kg/ha) was conducted. According to the results, irrigation was the dominant factor that influences maize grain yield, followed by inorganic fertiliser and biochar, and they were all significant in their main effects. The strength of interaction effects among, I, F and B on maize grain yield follow the sequence F × I > B × F > B × I. The economic analysis showed that the ternary combination of B, F and I was more economical than the binary combination of B plus I, and F plus I (in that order), when compared with the standalone application of I at maximum production in the field experiment. In addition, combined applications of biochar and fertiliser improved soil nutrients, nutrient uptake in all irrigation treatments, compared to the standalone applications of biochar or fertiliser. Further research is, therefore, recommended for long-term evaluation of the economic viability of integrating biochar with fertiliser under irrigation.

Biochar From Feedstock: A Strategy To Improve Agronomic Performances And Microbial Biomass of Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum I.) Plant.

“…Thus, increasing the yield or tomato production. This is in line with earlier study that biochar application enhanced crop yield especially maize and tomato (Faloye et al, 2020 andRonga et al, 2020).…”

“…Plethora of studies conducted in varying parts of the globe and on different plants have shown that biochar application/amendment affected soil microbial activities and abundance, improved cationic exchange capacity (CEC), pH, nodulation, soil water holding capacity, nutrient availability/intake and plant productivity (Mulabagal et al, 2015, Palansooriya et al, 2019and Faloye et al, 2020.…”

Gypsum amendment and seasonal variability: effect on soil quality, fruit characteristics and toxicological responses of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus l.) in the Ahafo-Kenyasi Mining Area of Ghana

“…Electrometric method was used to determine the soil pH [13]. Available P was determined by Acid Fluoride Extraction procedure (Bray-1 Method) [14].…”

Maize Growth and Yield Modelling Using AquaCrop Under Deficit Irrigation with Sole and Combined Application of Biochar and Inorganic Fertiliser

“…Also, a more comprehensive approach was used in the 2017/2018 growing season by determining the physical and chemical properties from the replicates of each fertility plot under each irrigation treatment. The method of soil analysis is reported in our previously published paper (Faloye et al 2020).…”