Co-Application of Inorganic Fertilizers with Charcoal and Sago Bark Ash to Improve Soil Nitrogen Availability, Uptake, Use Efficiency, and Dry Matter Production of Sorghum Cultivated on Acid Soils

Nur Hidayah Hamidi, Osumanu Haruna Ahmed (), Latifah Omar, Huck Ywih Ch’ng, Prisca Divra Johan, Puvan Paramisparam, Adiza Alhassan Musah and Mohamadu Boyie Jalloh ()
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Nur Hidayah Hamidi: Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agricultural Science and Forestry, Bintulu Campus, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Bintulu 97008, Sarawak, Malaysia
Osumanu Haruna Ahmed: Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali, Km 33 Jln Tutong Kampong Sinaut, Tutong TB1741, Brunei
Latifah Omar: Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agricultural Science and Forestry, Bintulu Campus, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Bintulu 97008, Sarawak, Malaysia
Huck Ywih Ch’ng: Faculty of Agro-Based Industry, Jeli Campus, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Jeli 17600, Kelantan, Malaysia
Prisca Divra Johan: Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agricultural Science and Forestry, Bintulu Campus, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Bintulu 97008, Sarawak, Malaysia
Puvan Paramisparam: Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agricultural Science and Forestry, Bintulu Campus, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Bintulu 97008, Sarawak, Malaysia
Adiza Alhassan Musah: Department of Business Management and Law, Faculty of Business Management and Professional Studies, Management and Science University, University Drive, Off Persiaran Olahraga Section 13, Shah Alam 40100, Selangor, Malaysia
Mohamadu Boyie Jalloh: Crop Production Programme, Faculty of Sustainable Agriculture, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Sandakan Branch, Locked Bag No. 3, Sandakan 90509, Sabah, Malaysia

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-19

Abstract: Efficient management of N fertilizers enhances crop yields and contributes to sustainable food security. Tropical acidic soils with high Al and Fe are prone to easy loss of basic cations, such as NH4+, via leaching and erosion. Appropriate soil amendments and agronomic practices minimize the loss of fertilizer nutrients, improve soil nutrient retention, and maximize their uptake by plants. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of co-applying charcoal and sago bark ash with inorganic fertilizers on N availability, uptake, use efficiency, and dry matter production of sorghum in a tropical acid soil. The results revealed that the co-application of inorganic fertilizers with charcoal and sago bark ash increased sorghum plant height, dry matter production, N uptake and N use efficiency. The soil treated with a combination of 100% of the recommended rate of charcoal and sago bark ash (C1A1) resulted in significantly higher sorghum dry matter production, N uptake, and use efficiency compared with normal fertilization (U1). The C1A1 treatment resulted in significantly lower soil available N compared with U1. The C1A1 treatment enhanced the uptake of N by the sorghum plants, resulting in less available N in the soil after the experiment. Although the effects of co-applying charcoal and sago bark ash on soil total N were not glaring, this practice increased soil pH and total C, and reduced exchangeable acidity and Al3+. A long-term field study is recommended to confirm the effects of co-applying inorganic fertilizers with charcoal and sago bark ash on sorghum productivity, economic viability, and soil nutrient residual effects.

Keywords: nutrient use efficiency; crop productivity; fertilizers; tropical soil; organic amendments (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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