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, and biomass production of corn grown in strongly acidic soil were assessed in a pot experiment. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with the following treatments: (1) control; (2) 15 t chicken manure (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 chicken manure biochar (CMB) ha−1; (7) 30 t CMB ha−1; (8) 15 t carabao dung biochar (CDB) ha−1; and (9) 30 t CDB 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 the control treatment. Similarly, the addition of CM at 15 t ha−1 significantly increased all soil chemical parameters gathered. 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 the most superior influence on soil chemical properties, growth, biomass production, and plant nutrition.