Poultry litter biochar rates and incubation times: effects on soil fertility and radish development

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of increasing rates of poultry litter biochar incubated in soil for different periods on soil fertility attributes and the development of the radish plant. An experiment was carried out in a greenhouse at the Federal University of Campina Grande - UFCG. Treatments consisted of the combination of two factors: four incubation times (0, 30, 60, and 90 days) and four biochar rates (12.5, 25.0, 37.5, 50.0 t ha-1), in three replications, totalizing 48 experimental plots, in a completely randomized design. After the incubation period, soil samples were collected from each experimental unit and chemically characterized. Following this, radish was sown and cultivated for up to 30 days. The agronomic development of radish was evaluated based on the following variables: leaf area; leaf area ratio; specific leaf area; shoot biomass production index; transverse and longitudinal tuber diameters; and fresh and dry tuber biomasses. Under the present experimental conditions, biochar increases soil fertility levels and is able to supply nutrients to the plants in a short period, increasing plant variables.