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Introduction: Biochar is one of the commonly used soil amendments for sustainable agriculture. The effect of biochar on crop yields depends on the quality of the biochar, which is influenced by feedstock type and pyrolysis conditions. Sole application of pineapple waste biochar and compost, and their combination has not been rigorously investigated. In this study, we investigated the effects of pineapple waste biochar and compost applied solely or in combination on growth and yield of pineapple on a coastal savanna Acrisol in Ghana. Methods: The split-plot design with three replications was used, with pineapple varieties as the main plot and fertilizer application rates as the sub-plots. Results and discussion: The results showed that sole application of biochar and compost or their combination as a soil amendment increased pineapple growth and yield as compared to the unamended soil. Biochar applied in combination with compost/or inorganic NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) fertilizer significantly increased plant height and the number of leaves of pineapple plant, which resulted in improved fruits yield of the three (sugar loaf, MD2 and smooth cayenne) pineapple varieties at maturity over control, sole application of biochar, compost and inorganic NPK fertilizer. The Smooth cayenne variety outperformed MD2 and Sugar loaf variety. Conclusion: In conclusion, the results revealed that biochar applied solely or in addition to compost or inorganic NPK fertilizer has the capability to enhance soil quality and improve pineapple yield. Application of biochar in combination with compost/or inorganic NPK improves pineapple growth and yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The treatment of contaminated groundwater using integrated bone char and biochar beds has been studied. The bone char and biochar were made in a locally built double-barrel retort utilising cow bones, coconut husks, bamboo, neem trees, and palm kernel shells at 450 °C and were graded into 0.05- and 0.315-mm sizes. Eight groundwater treatment experiments (BF2-BF9) were performed in columns with bed heights of 8.5–16.5 cm to remove nutrients, heavy metals, microorganisms, and interfering ions from groundwater using bone char, biochar, and a combination of bone and biochar. The water samples were analysed for twenty-one water quality parameters including pH, total dissolved solids, conductivity, turbidity, fluoride, chloride, sodium, and potassium. The rest were total coliforms, faecal coliforms, total heterotrophic bacteria, Escherichia coli, manganese, and total iron. The effectiveness of the treatment processes was assessed using the Ghana standard authority and the World Health Organisation's recommended values for drinking water quality. The results were shared using a simplified single-factor index, Nemerow's pollution index, and a heavy metal pollution index with decision-makers as a technology for groundwater treatment in rural communities in Africa. Bone char was more effective in removing total heterotrophic bacteria than any of the other treatment agents tested. This is because of its compact nature and small particle size. The quality of water treated by BF3, BF5, BF6, BF7, BF8, and BF9 was fit for drinking based on the single-factor and heavy-metal pollution evaluation because they have the lowest level of pollution. However, Nemerow pollution analysis found only BF5 to be the most suitable for public use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inherent low soil fertility status limits productivity of rice in the lowland ecologies in Northern Ghana. Combining organic and inorganic nitrogen fertilizers could help to maintain the fertility of lowland soils for rice production. A screen house pot experiment was carried out to investigate the combined effect of biochar compost and inorganic nitrogen fertilizer on the nitrogen uptake and agronomic performance of rice plants grown on an eutric gleysol lowland soil. Inorganic nitrogen fertilizer alone and its combinations with different types of biochar compost (based on the proportions of biochar and compost) were used as treatment. A control (unamended soil) was also included. The incorporation of biochar compost and inorganic nitrogen fertilizer improved the growth parameters and yield components of rice plants. The combination of biochar compost and inorganic nitrogen fertilizer was also found to improve nitrogen uptake in rice plants. This practice could be the most likely viable option for alleviating lowland soil fertility issues and increasing rice productivity in Northern Ghana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) efficient use of nitrogen (NUE) determines its growth and yield. We assessed the interaction effect of N fertilizer and biochar of different particle sizes and rates on NUE, growth and yield of lettuce. A factorial design arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design with four replications was used to conduct a field experiment at the FRNR farm, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana. The treatment consisted of biochar at 8.33 t and 16.67 t ha-1 with different particle sizes (<2, 5 and 10 mm) and five rates (0, 31.3, 62.5, 93.83 and 125 kg ha-1) of inorganic N fertilizer. Our result showed that integrating 8.33 t ha-1 of <2mm and 5mm biochar with 62.5 and 93.8 kgN ha-1, respectively improved lettuce growth, NUE by 30% and yield. The yield (19.3 t ha-1) obtained with these applications is comparable to the achievable yield (20 t ha-1) of lettuce under the sole N recommended rate (125 kgN ha-1). In conclusion, with 8.33 t ha-1 of <2mmbiochar, farmers can reduce the recommended inorganic N rate of lettuce by half (62.5 kg ha-1) and still attain good yield with improved post-harvest soil fertility. This has implications for farmers' production costs, agriculture waste management and climate change mitigation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to the benefits of biochar in soil sustainability, this study considered the effect of applying rice husk biochar as a substitute for inorganic fertilizer on soil properties and maize growth in Ghana. Six treatments (comprising of five rice husk biochar rates and one rate of NPK inorganic fertilizer as control) with four replicates in a pot experiment and "Obaatanpa" maize variety were used for the study. Results showed that the incorporation of biochar increased soil pH, organic carbon and effective cation exchange capacity for the various treatments which were higher than NPK treatment. Generally, 50 t/ha biochar applied at the time of planting recorded the lowest soil chemical properties which resulted in reduced maize germination count and yield while 50 t/ha biochar applied 2 weeks before planting improved soil chemical properties. Biochar increased all soil chemical properties analyzed more than NPK except for available phosphorus and potassium, which are key nutrients for maize growth. The maize yield in the biochar treatments was significantly lower (by 300%) than the NPK treatment, suggesting that biochar application in the short term, although could increase soil chemical properties, does not translate into essential nutrients available for improving maize yield. Therefore, quantity and incubation time for rice husk biochar before planting has a significant impact on soil nutrient and yield of maize. Future studies should consider the application of biochar at a longer period before planting and in combination with inorganic fertilizer as a top dressing and residual biochar for maize production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Reclamation of degraded and mined lands has become paramount due to exploitation of our resources. The study sought to explore the potential of biochar for amending degraded mined soil and stockpiled topsoil and its ability to enhance plant diversity at the Yongwa quarry site in the eastern region of Ghana. Method: Two separate experiments were conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Four treatments were allotted randomly within each block for stockpiled topsoil and amended degraded mined soil experiments and replicated three times. Biochar and poultry manure were applied at 0.002 tons per every 2 m x 2 m plot. However, when applied in combination (biochar and poultry manure), they were applied at 0.001 tons of biochar and 0.001 tons of poultry manure per every 2 m x 2 m plot. Result: The results of the study revealed a generally higher nutrient status and species diversity on the plots with amended soils compared to the control. The highest Shannon index (2.04) was recorded on the combined biochar and poultry manure-amended plots while the lowest was recorded on the control plot (1.08). A similar trend was observed on the degraded mined soil amended plots with the combined biochar and poultry manure-amended soil recording the highest Shannon index (2.32) and effective number of species values (10.15) compared to the other amendment plots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stability and strength of soil aggregates to external forces such as raindrop impact and tillage may be affected by biochar application. In line with this, a three-year field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of rice straw biochar (0, 15, and 30 t ha−1) on the Atterberg limits (plastic limit, PL and liquid limit, LL), water-dispersible clay content (WDC), and the aggregate characteristics of an Acrisol. Aggregate characteristics were measured on four size classes (1–2, 2–4, 4–8, and 8–16 mm). The 30 t ha−1 treatment significantly (p < 0.05) increased PL and LL by 27% and 20%, respectively, compared to the control. The plasticity index, WDC and tensile strength were unaffected by biochar addition. For all treatments, there was a decreasing trend in tensile strength with increasing aggregate size. The 15 and 30 t ha−1 treatments increased friability by 21% and 38%, respectively, relative to the control. The 30 t ha−1 treatment significantly increased workability of the smaller aggregates but marginally increased the workability of the larger aggregates. Thus, there is potential for increased optimum water content at tillage (inferred from the PL) and increased workability after biochar application at 30 t ha−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to determine whether the current low productivity associated with rainfed cultivation on degraded soils in Ghana can be improved by biochar amendment and irrigation, field experiments with maize were conducted over two seasons in 2017 and 2018. Rice straw biochar at rates of 0 t/ha (B0), 15 t/ha (B15) and 30 t/ha (B30) was combined with irrigation regimes of full irrigation (I100), deficit irrigation (I60) and no irrigation (I0). The I100 treatment was irrigated to field capacity every 3–4 days according to time domain reflectometry measurements while the I60 treatment received 60% of the irrigation amount given to I100 but with the same irrigation frequency. The I0 treatment was not irrigated. In both seasons, the B30 treatment recorded the highest total dry matter yield (TDMY), intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (IPAR) and radiation‐use efficiency (RUE) and these were significantly (p ≤.05) higher than B0 except for RUE in 2017. Irrigation regimes did not significantly affect TDMY, IPAR and RUE in 2017 but compared to I100, I0 significantly reduced TDMY, IPAR and RUE in the relatively dryer 2018 season. Measured ratio vegetation indices differentiated biochar treatments earlier in the 2018 season than during 2017 and increase of leaf chlorophyll content indices with biochar rate in both seasons indicated that biochar amendment improved nitrogen uptake. Our study demonstrated that rice straw biochar is capable of increasing TDMY, IPAR and RUE of maize grown on degraded soils in Ghana. The study further showed that TDMY, IPAR and RUE of deficit irrigated maize for two seasons were similar to the counterpart fully irrigated maize and may be a viable water management option for farmers in Ghana to save irrigation water resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Research exploiting biochar-phosphorus interactions on biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) and nutrient uptake in legumes is very scarce. This paper reports the short-term effect of rice husk biochar and phosphorus application on nutrient uptake, nodulation and nitrogen fixation of cowpea in both pot and field experiments in the semi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana. Phosphorus fertilizer (triple superphosphate (TSP)) was applied at 0, 30 and 60 kg ha-1designated respectively as P0, P30 and P60 while biochar was applied at 0, 2.5, 5 and 7.5 t ha-1 designated respectively as B0, B2.5, B5 and B7.5. Interaction between biochar and phosphorus increased nodule dry weight, number of nodules per plant and fixed nitrogen more than the sole applications. The highest number of nodules plant-1 and nodule dry weight were observed under P30B5. The highest N fixed (36.15 kg ha-1) was observed under P60B5 emphasizing the role of phosphorus in BNF. Increasing biochar beyond 5.0 tha-1 decreased BNF. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake were significantly (p= 0.05) improved following biochar and TSP applications under both greenhouse and field conditions. The highest N uptake of 30.79 kg ha-1 was observed under P30B5 amended plots while P60B7.5 plots produced the highest P and K uptake. Overall, the results indicate good prospect of exploiting biochar-phosphorus interactions to enhance BNF and productivity of legumes in tropical climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a major nitrogen consuming crop, as nitrogen is considered as an important determinant of its grain yield. Though inorganic fertilizer is widely recommended, the problem of high cost and inaccessibility limit its usage by resource poor farmers. Biochar application provides a new technology for both soil fertility and crop productivity improvement. With limited research on the suitability of biochar for soil improvement practices in Ghana, our objective was to determine the synergistic effect of biochar and inorganic fertilizer on the nitrogen uptake, nitrogen use efficiency, and yield of maize. Field experiment was conducted in Ghana, KNUST, in the major and minor raining seasons. Biochar was applied at 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 t ha−1 and fertilizer N applied at 0, 45, and 90 kg ha−1. The results showed significantly (p <.05) higher N uptake, N use efficiency and yield of maize when biochar was applied with fertilizer N compared to both the control and sole N fertilizer plots. Biochar applied at 10 t ha−1 supplemented with 45 kg N ha−1 increased N uptake by 200%, and grain yield by 213% and 160% relative to the control in the minor and major rainy seasons, respectively. The greater yield of maize recorded on biochar-amended soils was attributed to the improved N uptake and nitrogen use efficiency. In conclusion, our finding suggests that the application of combined biochar and inorganic N fertilizer is not only ecologically prudent, but economically viable and a practicable alternative to current farmers' practice of cultivating maize in Ghana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adding biochar to nutrient rich organic matter during composting reportedly reduces nitrogen (N) volatilization and carbonization of feedstock stabilized organic carbon (C). We studied the effects of biochar, produced from agricultural residue as compost additives, on CO2, N2O, and NH3 fluxes in northern Ghana. Three biochar types [from corn cobs (cCC), rice husks (cRH), and wood (cWO)] and their uncharred feedstocks (CC, RH, and WO), were co‐composted with poultry manure (15 vol.‐%) and rice straw (60 vol.‐%) in randomly allocated 1 m3 compost bins. Emissions were measured using a closed chamber system composed of a photo‐acoustic infrared gas analyser (INNOVA 1312‐5). Biochar amended composts showed higher CO2‐C emission rates during the initial composting phase. Maximum CO2‐C flux rates during the first week reached 15 g CO2‐C m−2 h−1 in cRH and 12 g CO2‐C m−2 h−1 for RH, while those from cCC were 19 g CO2‐C m−2 h−1 and from CC 14 g CO2‐C m−2 h−1. Respiration significantly dropped during the last week of composting and lower rates recorded with carbonized compared with the un‐carbonized feedstocks. Total CO2‐C losses were 12 kg m−2 34 d−1 for RH and 9 kg m−2 34 d−1 for cRH, resulting in a 29% reduction of CO2‐C. Emissions were 9 and 10 kg CO2‐C m−2 34 d−1 for cCC and CC, while cWO and WO emitted 7 and 8 kg CO2‐C m−2 34 d−1, respectively. Volatilization of NH3‐N was significantly lower in compost containing cWO (89 g N m−2 34 d−1) compared to WO (166 g N m−2 34 d−1), while N2O‐N emissions were lower in compost mixtures containing cRH (27%), cCC (7%), and cWO (16%) compared with their un‐carbonized feedstock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Use of biochar for soil fertility improvement is gaining popularity due to its potential to improve soil quality, increase crop yield, and sequester carbon from the atmosphere-biosphere pool into the soil. A 40-day pot experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of corncob biochar and compost applied alone (at a rate of 2%, w/w) or in combination (1% of each, thus 1% compost + 1% biochar) on soil physicochemical properties, growth, and yield of maize on two soils of contrasting pH and texture collected from the Rainforest and Coastal Savannah agroecological zones of Ghana. Biochar and compost applied alone or in combination significantly increased soil pH, total organic carbon, available phosphorus, mineral nitrogen, reduced exchangeable acidity, and increased effective cation exchange capacity in both soils. Additionally, combined application and single application biochar or compost additions increased the plant height, stem girth, and dry matter yields of two maize (local (“ewifompe”) and hybrid (Obaatanpa)) varieties used in the study. The study showed that biochar applied alone or in combination with compost offers the potential to enhance soil quality and improve maize yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of biochar-compost on availability of P for maize cultivation in a concretionary Lixisol of northern Ghana and residual soil characteristics thereof. Sawdust biochar was co-composted with kitchen waste and cow dung in various proportions. Four biochar-composts were selected based on their superior carbon and available P content, lower pH, and electrical conductivity (EC). These were amended to attain the standard phosphorus requirement (SPR) and half the SPR of the Lixisol. Triple superphosphate and (NH4)2 SO4 were, respectively, applied as inorganic fertilizer to meet the SPR and the average total nitrogen of the selected biochar-compost treatments. A control without any soil amendment was included. Maize was grown to tasseling (eight weeks) and shoot dry matter and P uptake determined. A 2.71 to 3.71-fold increase in P uptake led to a 1.51 to 2.33-fold increase in shoot dry matter in biochar-compost-amended soils over the control. Residual soil C, pH, and total and available P in the biochar-compost-amended soils were enhanced. Biochar-composts at half the SPR level produced maize with higher shoot dry matter than the equivalent inorganic amendment at full SPR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Irrigated urban agriculture (UA) supports the economy and health of urban inhabitants in low-income countries. This system is often characterized by high nutrient inputs and mostly utilizes wastewater for irrigation. Biochar has been proposed to increase crop yields and improve soil properties. In this study, we assessed the transient effect of rice husk biochar (20 t ha−1) and/or fertilizer (NPK: 15-15-15) on microbial respiration, microbial biomass carbon and enzyme activities of irrigated (wastewater and tap water) soil from an UA field experiment in the Guinea savannah zones of Ghana. Our results showed an increase by up to 123% in soil organic carbon (SOC) after a year of biochar application, while hot water extractable carbon (HWEC) was increased by only 11 to 26% and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) by 34%. Basal respiration was significantly increased in mineral fertilized soil by up to 46% but decreased by 12–45% under wastewater irrigation. Overall, the metabolic quotient (qCO2) indicated less stress for the microbial community and increased carbon use efficiency with biochar application and wastewater irrigation. Total enzymes activity was increased under wastewater irrigation and biochar treated soils exhibit a more diverse composition of C-cycling enzymes and a higher activity of aminopeptidases. Biochar and wastewater showed positive effects on biological soil properties and contributed to soil fertility. Our results suggest beneficial effects of biochar on non-biochar SOC stocks in the long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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 (Oryza sativa 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−1·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−1) biochar and four (0, 45, 90, 120 kg·ha−1·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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]