This is a neat experiment that can be replicated anywhere easily with the planting of a three by four grid. Again the results are fully consistent with many other tests out there and what remains most important is that the soil is left in far better condition with better water holding capacity and real nutrient retention as well.
I wrote a lot on biochar during the first three years of this blog and it welcome to see the work steadily continue and also make real inroads into agricultural practice.
For the uninitiated, this is the technology that will tame all soils and tropical soils in particular. With it we can feed tens of billions.
The picture here is showing us that all this knowledge is getting down into the field and that making this stuff is no real hardship. Folks are relearning old skills.
EFFECT OF RICE HUSK BIOCHAR ON MAIZE PRODUCTIVITY IN THE GUINEA SAVANNAH ZONE OF GHANA
Ammal Abukari
ABSTRACT
The
production and use of biochar presents many opportunities for soil
augmentation and carbon sequestration. The potential of biochar as a
carbon pool has the ability to sequester carbon in soils and
consequently reduce atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gasses.
Maize and rice are staple crops produced in Northern Ghana. There is
significant biomass available as potential feedstock for biochar
production such rice husk, maize stover and cobs; however how much of
these residue that could be used for biochar is not documented. The
objective of this study was therefore to identify the types of
feedstock, the opportunity cost of potential biochar feedstock, some
chemical properties of the biochar produced from the rice husk and the
effect of the biochar on the growth and yield of maize (Zea mays).
The trial consisted of 12 treatments in a split plot experimental
design. The main factor is rate of biochar application (0, 2 and 4 t/ha)
and the sub-plot was rate of nitrogen application (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg
N/ha) with three replications. Sufficient quantities of P and K were
applied as basal at 30 kg and 60 kg / ha respectively to ensure that
none of these nutrients limited yield. Phosphorus and K were broadcast
and incorporated at planting. Phosphorus source was triple
superphosphate and the K source was muriate of potash. The data was
analyzed with GenSTAT 2008 and where the effect was significant the
least significant difference (LSD) was used to separate the means. The
survey indicated that the potential feedstock available are maize
stover, maize cobs, groundnut shell, rice husk, rice straw, shea nut
shell, guinea corn stover and cowpea shell. The opportunity cost of
using this potential feedstock for biochar preparation is low.
Generally, trend of soil moisture content increased with the rate of
biochar application in the order control < 2t/ha biochar < 4t/ha
biochar. The application of biochar with inorganic fertilizers increased
maize biomass production. Maize plant height and girth were increased
significantly when biochar and inorganic N were applied. The yield
obtained by combination of biochar and inorganic
fertilizer was in significantly higher than the sole application of
either biochar or inorganic fertilizer. The soil pH at the end of the
experiment increased in all the treatments. Soil total N, % C and ECEC
increased within all the treatments. Application of biochar resulted in
less than 30% N recovery in the grain, husk and cob with all the
treatment combinations. The addition of biochar 2t/ha and 4t/ha
increased the grain yield and improved water use efficiency of the maize
crop. Biochar can be used as a component in integrated soil fertility
management to increase crop productivity.
Stephen
Joseph tells us that as much as 300,000 tons per year biochar is used
in China. “Much of the biochar comes from bioenergy plants especially
those that use rice husks fired in fluid beds.” One plant produces
about 8,000 tpy and distributes it to farmers.
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