Enhancing Soil Environments and Wheat Production through Water Hyacinth Biochar under Deficit Irrigation in Ethiopian Acidic Silty Loam Soil
-
Published:2024-06-27
Issue:3
Volume:8
Page:72
-
ISSN:2571-8789
-
Container-title:Soil Systems
-
language:en
-
Short-container-title:Soil Systems
Author:
Fentie Desalew12, Mihretie Fekremariam Asargew3ORCID, Kohira Yudai1, Legesse Solomon Addisu4ORCID, Lewoyehu Mekuanint15ORCID, Sato Shinjiro1ORCID
Affiliation:
1. Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Soka University, Tokyo 192-8577, Japan 2. College of Agriculture, Food and Climate Sciences, Injibara University, Injibara P.O. Box 40, Ethiopia 3. Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), 2-40 Clunies Ross Street, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia 4. College of Agriculture and Environmental Science, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar P.O. Box 79, Ethiopia 5. College of Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar P.O. Box 79, Ethiopia
Abstract
The combined application of biochar and fertilizer has become increasingly popular for improving soil quality and crop productivity. However, the reported research results regarding the effects of biochar on soil properties and crop productivity have contradictory findings, indicating the requirement for further scientific research. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of a combined application of water hyacinth biochar (WHB) and NPS fertilizer on soil physicochemical properties and wheat yield under deficit irrigation conditions in acidic silty loam soil in Ethiopia. Four different biochar rates (0, 5, 10, and 20 t ha−1), three fertilizer rates (0, 100, and 200 kg NPS ha−1), and two irrigation regimes (50 and 100% of crop requirement) were evaluated to assess soil properties and wheat yields. The results showed that biochar amendment significantly reduced soil bulk density by 15.1–16.7%, and improved soil porosity by 6.8–8.6% and moisture content by 10.3–20.2%. Additionally, the combined application of biochar and fertilizer improved soil pH (0.26–0.87 units), NH4+–N (73.7–144%), NO3−–N (131–637%), and available phosphorus (85.8–427%), compared to the application of fertilizer alone. As a result, wheat dry biomass and grain yield increased by 260 and 173%, respectively. Furthermore, the combined application of WHB and fertilizer resulted in a comparable wheat dry biomass and grain yield even with a 50% reduction of irrigation water. Therefore, WHB has a significant potential to improve soil physicochemical properties and wheat yield when it is applied in combination with fertilizer, and it can reduce the water requirement for wheat production.
Funder
Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)/Japan International Cooperation Agency
Reference69 articles.
1. Yadav, A.N., Singh, J., Singh, C., and Yadav, N. (2021). Soil Microbiomes for Healthy Nutrient Recycling BT—Current Trends in Microbial Biotechnology for Sustainable Agriculture, Springer. 2. Rakshit, A., Singh, H.B., Singh, A.K., Singh, U.S., and Fraceto, L. (2020). Effect of Drought Stress on Crop Production BT—New Frontiers in Stress Management for Durable Agriculture, Springer. 3. Ahmad, S., Wang, G.-Y., Muhammad, I., Chi, Y.-X., Zeeshan, M., Nasar, J., and Zhou, X.-B. (2022). Interactive Effects of Melatonin and Nitrogen Improve Drought Tolerance of Maize Seedlings by Regulating Growth and Physiochemical Attributes. Antioxidants, 11. 4. Huang, K., Li, M., Li, R., Rasul, F., Shahzad, S., Wu, C., Shao, J., Huang, G., Li, R., and Almari, S. (2023). Soil Acidification and Salinity: The Importance of Biochar Application to Agricultural Soils. Front. Plant Sci., 14. 5. Haile, W., Boke, S., and Box, P. (2024, April 08). Mitigation of Soil Acidity and Fertility Decline Challenges for Sustainable Livelihood Improvement: Research Findings from Southern Region of Ethiopia and Its Policy Implications. Available online: http://www.ethiopianreview.com/pdf/001/SULMPA-workshop-12.pdf.
|
|