Influence of Biochar Enriched with Poultry Manure on Nutrient Uptake and Soil Nutrient Changes in Amaranthus Caudatus.

Abstract

The availability of appropriate and effective fertilizers is one of the limitations of organic and ecological farming in Nigeria. A pot experiment was conducted in a screenhouse to determine the optimum rate of biochar-poultry manure combination for growth and nutrient uptake of Amaranthus (Amaranthus caudatus L.), as well as residual soil nutriens. The study comprised four treatments viz; control, 50% -1 poultry manure and 50% biochar at 10, 20 and 30 tha . The treatments were laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with four replicates. Seeds were sown in plastic containers filled with 25kg soil, with a drain underneath. Seedlings were thinned to 2 plants/pot at 2 weeks after planting. Plants were harvested at 6 weeks by ratooning and theregrowths were also harvested after 6 weeks. Soil pH increased -1 with 50% poultry manure and 50 % biochar at 20tha while the organic carbon content was increased with -1 20tha . An increase in soil N, P and K was reflected in increased dry shoot weight and N, P and K uptake -1 with biochar and compost at 20tha application. Application of 50% poultry manure and 50% biochar at -1 20tha gave the optimum Amaranthus nutrients uptake with optimum residual soil nutrient contents which areeffective for ecological farming.