Corn (Zea mays L.) growth, nutrient uptake and soil fertility improvement of strongly acidic soil applied with biochar and animal manure

ABSTRACT

The effects of biochar and animal manure application on soil chemical properties, nutrient uptake, growth, andbiomass production of corn grown in strongly acidic soil were assessed in a pot experiment. The experimentwas laid out in randomized complete block design with the following treatments (1) control; (2) 15 t chickenmanure (CM) ha−1; (3) 30 t CM ha−1; (4) 15 t carabao dung (CD) ha−1; (5) 30 t CD ha−1; (6) 15 t chickenmanure biochar (CMB) ha−1; (7) 30 t CMB ha−1; (8) 15 t carabao dung biochar (CDB) ha−1; and (9) 30 tCDB ha−1. Application of 30 t CM ha−1 significantly increased soil pH by 1.03-unit, total organic carbon,total N, and exchangeable K by 138%, 300%, and 955%, respectively, and a 108-fold increase in P, over thecontrol treatment. Similarly, the addition of CM at 15 t ha−1 significantly increased all soil chemical parametersgathered. Moreover, the addition of 15 t CM ha−1 increased plant height, shoot, and total biomass by 62%,161%, and 148% over the control treatment. Meanwhile, tissue N uptake of corn increased by 147% and 124%with the CM application at the rate of 15 t ha−1 and 30 t ha−1. Among organic materials evaluated, CM had themost superior influence on soil chemical properties, growth, biomass production, and plant nutrition.