Research Article

Effects of Post - Treated and Incubated Gliricidia Biochar Samples on the Growth of Maize Seedlings

Fagbenro J. A.1*, Ajilowura J.O.2, Sangoyomi T.E.2, Oshunsanya S.O.3, Aliku Oreva3
1 Department of Crop Production, Soils and Environmental Management, Bowen University, P.M.B. 284, Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria
2 Department of Crop Production, Soil and Environmental Management, Bowen University, P.M.B. 284, Iwo, Osun State.
3 Department of Agronomy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State.
* Corresponding author: pastfagbenro@yahoo.com
Published: Aug, 2016
DOI: 10.67042/njss.2016.2wlc4hwm
Pages: 17-26
Views: 445
Downloads: 574

Abstract

Biochar (pyrolyzed biomass) has been shown to have potential in increasing crop yield. There is, however, a dearth of information in Nigeria on the effect of post-treated biochar samples on plant growth in different soil types. The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of nutrient-enhanced and incubated Gliricidia biochar on the growth of maize plant. A pot experiment was conducted in the screen house of Bowen University, Iwo Nigeria to examine the response of maize seedlings to Gliricidia biochar that was post-treated either with urea/bone ash or 15:15:15 NPK fertilizer at ratio 7:1(biochar : nutrient source, w/w). The post-treated biochar samples were incubated for 0, 14, 28 and 56 days. The treated/incubated biochar samples, untreated biochar sample and poultry manure were applied at the rate of 10 t/ha while urea/bone ash and 15:15:15 NPK inorganic fertilizer were applied at 90 kg N/ha. Maize plants were grown for eight weeks in top soil (30 cm) collected from an Oxisol in the University Teaching and Research Farm. Irrespective of incubation period and post-treatment type, maize seedling height, stem diameter, leaf production and total dry weight increased significantly (p

Keywords

biomass gliricidia biochar post-treatment incubation plant parameters

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How to Cite

A., F. J., J.O., A., T.E., S., S.O., O., & Oreva, A. (2016). Effects of Post - Treated and Incubated Gliricidia Biochar Samples on the Growth of Maize Seedlings. Nigerian Journal of Soil Science, 26(2), 17-26. https://doi.org/10.67042/njss.2016.2wlc4hwm

F. J. A., A. J.O., S. T.E., O. S.O., and A. Oreva, "Effects of Post - Treated and Incubated Gliricidia Biochar Samples on the Growth of Maize Seedlings," Nigerian Journal of Soil Science, vol. 26, no. 2, pp. 17-26, August 2016. doi: 10.67042/njss.2016.2wlc4hwm

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