Biochar and Other Organic Amendments Improve the Physicochemical Properties of Soil in Highly Degraded Habitat

Alemayehu Getahun, Diriba Muleta, Fassil Assefa, Solomon Kiros and Mariangela Hungria
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Alemayehu Getahun: Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
Diriba Muleta: Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
Fassil Assefa: Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
Solomon Kiros: Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
Mariangela Hungria: Embrapa Soja, C.P. 231, Londrina, PR 86001-970, Brazil

European Journal of Engineering and Technology Research, 2020, vol. 5, issue 3, 331-338

Abstract: Land degradation is an endless challenge in the world. Thus, rehabilitation with organic amendments (OAs) is an urgent priority issue. The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of biochar and other OAs application on soil physicochemical properties and growth parameters of cover crops in greenhouse. Biochar, compost and manure were used as OAs. Soil samples were collected from nine random corners of 30 cm depth and composited. In each experiment, five treatments were considered (biochar, compost, manure, mixed and control) at 1:1 ratio of OAs and soil in a pot, with completely randomized design arrangement in triplicate. The field experiment was made on completely randomized block design and each block contained five 41 x 4 m plots assigned at random within the block and separated by 1 m walkways. OAs additions increased soil pH (5.69-8.13), cation exchange capacity (43.78-49.98 cmolc/kg), organic carbon (1.41-2.46%), organic matter (2.43-3.91%), total nitrogen (0.13-0.76%), available P (18.89-28.53 ppm) and (iron, Fe, manganese, Mn, copper, Cu and zinc, Zn) in comparison to non-treated soil. Tripartite treatments had the largest effect on the biomass of cover crops with 3.43 g fivefold of the control (0.7 g) in alfalfa and 4.54 g twofold of the control (2.07 g) in grass pea p ? 0.05. Both in field and greenhouse experiments combination of biochar and other OAs showed a better soil fertility increment and plant growth parameters. The study concluded that there is a synergistic effect in OAs on the soil fertility restoration and plant growth performance.

Keywords: Cover Crops; Coffee Husk; Land Degradation; Rehabilitation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:epw:ejeng0:v:5:y:2020:i:3:id:61735

DOI: 10.24018/ejeng.2020.5.3.1735

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