Effects Of Biochar And Npk Fertilizer On Soil Chemical Properties, Growth And Yield Of Cucumber (Cucumissativus) In An Ultisol, Southeastern Nigeria
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Abstract
Field experiments were conducted in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria in 2018 to determine the effects of biochar and NPK (15:15:15) fertilizer on chemical properties of soil, growth and yield of cucumber (Cucumissativus) in an Ultisol in southeastern Nigeria. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), having six treatments in three replicates. The treatments comprised: T1- 1t/ha biochar, T2- 3t/ha biochar, T3- 1t/ha biochar + 100 kg/ha NPK fertilizer, T4- 3t/ha biochar + 100 kg/ha NPK fertilizer, T5- 200 kg/ha NPK fertilizer and T6- control (no treatment application). From the results, soil pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen and available phosphorus were significantly improved by the application of the treatments that had a combination of biochar and NPK fertilizer. Also, exchangeable bases (Ca, Mg, K, Na), effective cation exchange capacity and base saturation were significantly (p<0.05) improved by the same treatments, while exchangeable acidity was decreased significantly (p<0.05). From the growth and yield of cucumber, results showed that number of leaves, vine length, fruit yield and fruit girth were significantly increased by the treatments over the control. Treatment T4(3t/ha biochar + 100 kg/ha NPK fertilizer gave the best result in both soil properties and fruit yield of cucumber in the study area.
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