Integrating Biochar and Inorganic Fertilizer Improves Productivity and Profitability of Irrigated Rice in Ghana, West Africa
The efficiency of mineral fertilizer use in most soils in Sub-saharan Africa is low. Prominent among the reasons for this is low soil carbon stock. In this study, we hypothesized that in the short term, combined use of biochar and inorganic fertilizer in irrigated rice (<i>Oryza sativa</i&g...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-06-01
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| Series: | Agronomy |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/10/6/904 |
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| author | Dilys S. MacCarthy Eric Darko Eric K. Nartey Samuel G. K. Adiku Abigail Tettey |
| author_facet | Dilys S. MacCarthy Eric Darko Eric K. Nartey Samuel G. K. Adiku Abigail Tettey |
| author_sort | Dilys S. MacCarthy |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The efficiency of mineral fertilizer use in most soils in Sub-saharan Africa is low. Prominent among the reasons for this is low soil carbon stock. In this study, we hypothesized that in the short term, combined use of biochar and inorganic fertilizer in irrigated rice (<i>Oryza sativa</i> var KRC Baika) cropping systems will increase soil organic carbon storage, N recovery and agronomic efficiency of N use (above world average of 55% and 20 kg grain·kg<sup>−1</sup>·N respectively) and improved economic returns compared to the sole use of inorganic fertilizer. A two-year (4‒cropping cycles) field trial was, thus, conducted on a Vertisol. The experiments were designed as split–plot with two (0 and 10 t·ha<sup>−1</sup>) biochar and four (0, 45, 90, 120 kg·ha<sup>−1</sup>·N) nitrogen application rates. Additionally, the effect of biochar on the chemical properties of the soil was investigated using standard protocols. Biochar application improved the soil organic carbon storage in the topsoil. There were significant interactions between the application of biochar and nitrogen fertilizer on yield parameters. Introducing biochar significantly increased root volume and nutrient (N, P and K) uptake, resulting in increased grain and straw yield. Grain yields under biochar amended plots were higher than sole fertilizer amended plots in 14 out of 16 instances (cropping cycles × N rates). The increase in grain yield was between 12 to 29% across N rates. Biochar amendment also enhanced agronomic N use and apparent N recovery efficiencies in 3 out of the 4 cropping cycles. Gross margin indicated that biochar application under irrigated rice cropping systems is economically feasible in all cropping cycles and N rates. However, the value cost ratio of biochar application was higher than for sole inorganic fertilizer in three out of the four cropping cycles (each cropping cycle has three N rates). The soil organic carbon storage of biochar amended soil increased by 17% under unfertilized condition and by 32% under fertilized condition. To enable the promotion and efficient use of the biochar technology in enhancing productivity and profitability in irrigated rice, extension officers and farmers will need to be trained on how to char the rice husk to reduce emissions prior to upscaling the technology to farmers. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T18:54:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b265e81fdd9f49adad93356f8dc727ab |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4395 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T18:54:34Z |
| publishDate | 2020-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Agronomy |
| spelling | doaj.art-b265e81fdd9f49adad93356f8dc727ab2023-11-20T04:55:41ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952020-06-0110690410.3390/agronomy10060904Integrating Biochar and Inorganic Fertilizer Improves Productivity and Profitability of Irrigated Rice in Ghana, West AfricaDilys S. MacCarthy0Eric Darko1Eric K. Nartey2Samuel G. K. Adiku3Abigail Tettey4Soil and Irrigation Research Centre, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 68, Kpong EL-0633-5197, GhanaDepartment of Soil Science, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra GA-489-9979, GhanaDepartment of Soil Science, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra GA-489-9979, GhanaDepartment of Soil Science, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra GA-489-9979, GhanaSoil and Irrigation Research Centre, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 68, Kpong EL-0633-5197, GhanaThe efficiency of mineral fertilizer use in most soils in Sub-saharan Africa is low. Prominent among the reasons for this is low soil carbon stock. In this study, we hypothesized that in the short term, combined use of biochar and inorganic fertilizer in irrigated rice (<i>Oryza sativa</i> var KRC Baika) cropping systems will increase soil organic carbon storage, N recovery and agronomic efficiency of N use (above world average of 55% and 20 kg grain·kg<sup>−1</sup>·N respectively) and improved economic returns compared to the sole use of inorganic fertilizer. A two-year (4‒cropping cycles) field trial was, thus, conducted on a Vertisol. The experiments were designed as split–plot with two (0 and 10 t·ha<sup>−1</sup>) biochar and four (0, 45, 90, 120 kg·ha<sup>−1</sup>·N) nitrogen application rates. Additionally, the effect of biochar on the chemical properties of the soil was investigated using standard protocols. Biochar application improved the soil organic carbon storage in the topsoil. There were significant interactions between the application of biochar and nitrogen fertilizer on yield parameters. Introducing biochar significantly increased root volume and nutrient (N, P and K) uptake, resulting in increased grain and straw yield. Grain yields under biochar amended plots were higher than sole fertilizer amended plots in 14 out of 16 instances (cropping cycles × N rates). The increase in grain yield was between 12 to 29% across N rates. Biochar amendment also enhanced agronomic N use and apparent N recovery efficiencies in 3 out of the 4 cropping cycles. Gross margin indicated that biochar application under irrigated rice cropping systems is economically feasible in all cropping cycles and N rates. However, the value cost ratio of biochar application was higher than for sole inorganic fertilizer in three out of the four cropping cycles (each cropping cycle has three N rates). The soil organic carbon storage of biochar amended soil increased by 17% under unfertilized condition and by 32% under fertilized condition. To enable the promotion and efficient use of the biochar technology in enhancing productivity and profitability in irrigated rice, extension officers and farmers will need to be trained on how to char the rice husk to reduce emissions prior to upscaling the technology to farmers.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/10/6/904biocharnutrient use efficiencySOC stocksoil fertilitySub-Saharan Africa |
| spellingShingle | Dilys S. MacCarthy Eric Darko Eric K. Nartey Samuel G. K. Adiku Abigail Tettey Integrating Biochar and Inorganic Fertilizer Improves Productivity and Profitability of Irrigated Rice in Ghana, West Africa Agronomy biochar nutrient use efficiency SOC stock soil fertility Sub-Saharan Africa |
| title | Integrating Biochar and Inorganic Fertilizer Improves Productivity and Profitability of Irrigated Rice in Ghana, West Africa |
| title_full | Integrating Biochar and Inorganic Fertilizer Improves Productivity and Profitability of Irrigated Rice in Ghana, West Africa |
| title_fullStr | Integrating Biochar and Inorganic Fertilizer Improves Productivity and Profitability of Irrigated Rice in Ghana, West Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Integrating Biochar and Inorganic Fertilizer Improves Productivity and Profitability of Irrigated Rice in Ghana, West Africa |
| title_short | Integrating Biochar and Inorganic Fertilizer Improves Productivity and Profitability of Irrigated Rice in Ghana, West Africa |
| title_sort | integrating biochar and inorganic fertilizer improves productivity and profitability of irrigated rice in ghana west africa |
| topic | biochar nutrient use efficiency SOC stock soil fertility Sub-Saharan Africa |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/10/6/904 |
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