Abstract:
The effect of prosipis biochar application on the growth of Maize (Zea mays) and wheat
(Triticum aestivum), and faba bean (Vicia faba) were assessed under a field experiment in Sulula,
South Wollo Zone, Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia. Biochar were applied at 5t/ha,
10t/ha and 20t/ha with and without recommended rates of N and P fertilizers and two control
treatments. A complete randomized block design (CRBD) with three replications was used.
Composite soil samples were taken from the experimental sites using soil auger at 0-20 cm soil
depth before and after treatments and pH, organic carbon, CEC, total N and available P were
analyzed using standard laboratory procedures. The prosopis biochar used was slightly alkaline
(pH 7.2), increased the pH of the soil and the biochar treatments were found to significantly
increase biomass, root length, plant height and number of leaves as compared with the control
groups. A significant variation was recorded for all parameters of different combination of
biochar. However, the highest root length of Zea mays occur in 5t/ha BC +NP (39.8cm), shoot
dry weight in NP Fertilizer (81.60g), percent plant germination 10 t/ha BC +NP (100 %),
highest plant height was recorded in NP fertilizer (102.3 cm) and leaf number (14.05
leaves/plant) in 10t/ha BC +NP fertilizer. Wheat showed the highest root length in 10 t/ha BC
+NP (12.57 cm), shoot dry weight on 20 t/ha BC +NP fertilizer treatment (10.37 g), percent
germination in 20 t/ha BC (100 %), highest plant height in 10 t/ha BC was (64.6 cm) and leaf
number (37 leaves) in 10 t/ha BC + NP fertilizer. Whereas, Bean showed the highest root length
(25.79 cm) in10 t/ha BC +NP, shoot dry weight (57.3g) in 10 t/ha BC + NP Fertilizer, and
percent germination (98.3 %) in 20 t/ha BC + NP fertilizer, height in 10 t/ha BC was (81.8 cm)
and leaf number (313.7 leaves/plant) 10t/ha BC +NP fertilizer. However, the lowest
performances were recorded among the controls. Biochar combined with NP fertilizers has
increased yield significantly compared to controls. It can be concluded that application of
prosopis biochar (up to 20t/ha) could improve the growth of crops and pulses in combination
with fertilizers and used as a multipurpose environmental solution for problems of fertilizer use
and the invasive prosopis control.
Keywords:
Germination, Plant growth, Prosopis biochar, Pyrolysis, Soil properties