Effect of Biochar on Yield and Yield Components of Wheat and Post-harvest Soil Properties in Tigray, Ethiopia

Abstract

Biochar is a solid material obtained from the carbonization of any biomass including weeds, crop residues and other wastes of plant origin. A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted on biochar, obtained from carbonization of Prosopis juliflora, to evaluate effects on wheat productivity and post-harvest soil properties. This experiment has used four different combinations of biochar and compost besides the chemical fertilizers. Biochar was significantly increased grain and straw yields of wheat by 15.7% and 16.5% respectively, over the NP application (control). Moreover, the root biomass was significantly increased by 20%. This shows that biochar retains nutrients and water to improve wheat productivity. Hence, the biochar produced from Prosopis juliflora could be used for wheat productivity improvement.