Abstract
The coconut tree is considered one of the greatest consumers of irrigation water, ranging from 100 to 240 L day−1. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of biochar application on decreased irrigation water needs in a 2-year irrigated dwarf coconut palm orchard field experiment. Biochar was characterized chemically and by electron microscope images. Biochar morphology presented several micropores indicating water retention potential. Amounts of biochar were tested (0, 5, 10, 20, 40 g of biochar per kg of soil), representing 0.0; 0.5; 1.0; 2.0; and 4.0 kg per plant. Micro sprinkler irrigation started following the planting of the 90-day old hybrid dwarf coconut seedlings. The impacts of the application of the biochar on the chemical attributes of the soil, biometry of the coconut plants, water storage in the 0–0.3 m soil layer, and the volume of irrigation water required by treatment were evaluated. After two years (2017 and 2018), the application of the biochar resulted in no statistically significant differences in the chemical attributes of the soil and biometric variables of plants between different treatments. The volume of annual irrigation water per plant versus biochar quantity demonstrated a decreasing effect, due to the increase of soil water storage. The dose of 40 g of biochar per kg of soil presented the highest two-year average soil water retention (0–0.3 m layer) among treatments (34, 36, 34, 38, and 45 mm, respectively), resulting in lower 2-year irrigation water demand (28, 36, 29, 28 and 20 L plant−1 day−1, respectively).
Highlights
The development of coconut plants depends on the emission of new leaves which decreases under water stress which causes premature aging, fall of existing leaves, and reduced productivity [1]
The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of five different application rates of biochar from sun-dried green coconut husk (SDGH) as a soil water retention agent, in the implantation of irrigated dwarf coconut palm orchard to reduce irrigation water application, and to assess soil chemical attributes under field conditions
The biochar raw material was green coconut husk that after harvest was sun-dried by natural exposure and collected to be prepared using a rustic brick kiln with no oxygen
Summary
The development of coconut plants depends on the emission of new leaves which decreases under water stress which causes premature aging, fall of existing leaves, and reduced productivity [1]. The estimated volume for plants in production is 100 to 240 L day−1 , depending on local weather conditions. There are reports of producers applying more than 500 L plant−1 day−1. A study on coconut irrigation water productivity in the state of Ceará, Brazil, found inadequate irrigation management on monitored farms [2,3]. Over-irrigation (23% water use above plant demand) practices resulted in low irrigation water use efficiency, with an average of 2.7 fruits and 1.2 L of coconut water per cubic meter of irrigation water applied, while averages of 1.9 fruits and
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
