Assessment of the Effect of Biochar and Leucaena Leucocephala on the Growth and Yield of Maize (Zea mays) (original) (raw)

Assessment of the Effect of Biochar and Leucaena Leucocephala on the Growth and Yield of Maize (Zea mays)

ABSTRACT - Studies have been conducted to assess the effect of Leucaena leucocephala biomass on various crops but none has compared the effect of L. leucocephala biomass and its biochar on crops. The study therefore aimed at assessing the effect biochar and L. leucocephala have on the growth and yield of maize. It was hypothesized that biochar would have a better effect on the growth of maize than Leucaena biomass. There were six (6) treatments comprising T1= L. leucocephala, T2=Biochar, T3=Biochar + Fertilizer, T4= L. leucocephala + Fertilizer, T5=Fertilizer and T6=Control. The biochar was prepared from L. leucocephala cuttings whiles the leaves of L. leucocephala were used as its biomass. The fertilizer used was ammonia. Besides the control, all treatments were designed to supply 160kgN/ha. The result of the study showed that Leucaena biomass and biochar had same effect on the yield but Leucaena biomass had a better effect on the growth of maize than biochar. Nitrogen content of the soil increased significantly in response to both Leucaena biomass and biochar treatments. This study concludes that L. leucocephala biomass (under short term) will produce the same effect on its yield but have a better growth effect than its biochar. This therefore implies that a farmer should use Leucaena instead of biochar since it has a better effect on the growth of maize and is as well less costly. The study also implies that L. leucocephala and its biochar increases the productivity of the soil thus contributing to sustainable production. The study recommends that biochar should be applied at different rates and the study should be conducted for a longer period to realize significant differences. It also recommends that soil analysis should be replicated for each treatment to compare effects among the treatments.