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Single Application of Biochar Increases Fertilizer Efficiency, C Sequestration, and pH over the Long-Term in Sandy Soils of Senegal

Aliou Faye, Zachary P. Stewart, Khady Diome, Calys-Tagoe Edward, Dioumacor Fall, Désiré Komla Kyky Ganyo, Tobi Moriaque Akplo and P. V. Vara Prasad
Additional contact information
Aliou Faye: Regional Centre of Excellence on Dry Cereals and Associated Crop (CERAAS), Senegalese Agricultural Research Institute (ISRA), Thiès BP 3320, Senegal
Zachary P. Stewart: Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on Sustainable Intensification, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
Khady Diome: Regional Centre of Excellence on Dry Cereals and Associated Crop (CERAAS), Senegalese Agricultural Research Institute (ISRA), Thiès BP 3320, Senegal
Calys-Tagoe Edward: Academy Post Office, CSIR-Soil Research Institute, Kwadaso, Kumasi AK000-AK911, Ghana
Dioumacor Fall: Centre National de Recherches Agronomiques (CNRA), Senegalese Agricultural Research Institute (ISRA), Bambey BP 0053, Senegal
Désiré Komla Kyky Ganyo: Direction des Laboratoire (ITRA/DL), Institut Togolais de Recherche Agronomique, Lomé BP 1163, Togo
Tobi Moriaque Akplo: Regional Centre of Excellence on Dry Cereals and Associated Crop (CERAAS), Senegalese Agricultural Research Institute (ISRA), Thiès BP 3320, Senegal
P. V. Vara Prasad: Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on Sustainable Intensification, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 21, 1-19

Abstract: This study evaluated the long-term effects of a single application of different biochar types and quantities in combination with cow manure and annual inorganic fertilizer on soil properties and grain yield under millet monocropping and millet–peanut rotation in sandy soils of the peanut basin of Senegal. Results of over six years showed that a single application of 5–10 t ha −1 biochar (rice husk or Typha australis ) and/or manure significantly increased soil pH (from 5.5 to 6.3) and total C (from 1.84% to an average of 2.69%). Soil available P increased due to all treatments. These improved soil properties were maintained for at least eight years following a single application of 5–10 t ha −1 biochar and/or manure. There was limited or slightly negative effects of biochar application on soil N and total soil microbial activity. Applications of either one-third or half of national recommended NPK rate, in combination with a single application of biochar or cow manure, increased millet grain yield up to four to five times (i.e., 100 to 450 kg ha −1 ), which was equivalent to the yield of treatments receiving the full national recommended fertilizer rate. Limited improvement was observed on peanut yield. This research clearly shows the synergistic benefits of applying single low rates of organic materials in combination with annual low levels of inorganic fertilizer. Treatments receiving the national recommended inorganic fertilizer rates (150 kg ha −1 NPK 15-15-15 and 100 kg ha −1 of urea four weeks after planting) did not produce more than 400 kg ha −1 . Biochar application alone did not increase millet yields. With a recommended biochar application rate of 5 t ha −1 , we calculate that Senegal has enough biomass available for biochar to cover all of its cropland every 4.4 to 5.5 years. Of particular importance, the 0.85% increase in stable total C has the potential to sequester 27.2 tons C ha −1 and if scaled across Senegal’s 1.6–2.0 million ha of peanut and millet cropland, this practice could sequester 43.52 to 54.4 million tons of C having mutual benefits on crop productivity and climate change mitigation.

Keywords: biochar; cropping system; fertilizer use efficiency; groundnut; manure; millet; nutrient use efficiency; peanut (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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