Influence of Combined Biochar and Poultry Manure on Selected Soil Chemical Properties and Ginger Yield in an Ultisol of Umudike, South-East Nigeria
Abstract
The study was carried out to examine the effect of different ratio combinations of biochar (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 t/ha) and poultry manure (0, 4 and 8 t/ha) in an ultisol of South-East, Nigeria. The 8 treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in the field. Surface (0-30 cm) soil properties were determined before and after planting, and ginger yield (t/ha) taken at harvest. Results showed that all the selected soil chemical properties and fresh rhizome yield of ginger significantly (p<0.05) improved by the combined application of biochar and poultry manure. The combination of biochar (8t/ha) and poultry manure (8 t/ha) gave the highest yield (13.23 t/ha), followed by 6t/ha biochar + 8t/ha poultry manure with yield of 9.17t/ha. The study therefore, recommends treatment combination of biochar and poultry manure at the ratio of 8t/ha each for use in ginger production in ultisol or similar soils and for improving soil properties.
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