Physiological response of corn (Zea mays L.) to different fertilizers and coconut coir biochar grown in low fertility acidic clay (Orthoxic Palehumults) and sandy loam (Cumulic Hapludolls) soils
2018
Garido-Rafer, A.
A pot experiment was conducted two different soil types: clay and sandy loam soil. The study aimed to evaluate the physiological response of corn when applied with varying rates of coconut coir biochar, organic and chemical fertilizers. The low fertility clay (Orthoxic Palehumults) is very acidic (pH 4.55) but very high level of organic carbon ( 4.18 % OC) and cation exchange capacity (29.95 cmol(+)/kg soil). The sandy loam soil was slightly acidic (pH 6.10) with very low OC and CEC (0.38% and 7.42cmol(+)/kg soil, respectively), but with high concentration of P and K. The biochar derived from coconut coir has high K concentration average surface area of 16 m and average pore size radius of 19A. Results of the study showed, the coconut coir biochar combined with either inorganic or organic fertilizers significantly affected the corn plants in terms of plant height, leaf chlorophyll content and biomass yield both in clay and sandy soils. There were also significant improvement on the soil pH, available P, exchangeable K, and CEC of the clayey soil. On the other hand, the soil pH, exchangeable K and electrical conductivity of the sandy loam soil were affected by the addition of organic fertilizer and coco coir biochar. Findings such these showed that coco coir biochar as a soil amendment has the potential to remediate acidic and sandy soil that consequently can improve crop productivity.
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