Biochar and Animal Manures Increased Yield of Three Varieties of Turnips

Abstract

Biochar, a product of incineration of biomass is proposed for use as a soil amendment (SA) to enhance soil water holding capacity, increase soil microbial community, and plant nutrients availability. We studied the effect of six SA (sewage sludge SS, horse manure HM, chicken manure CM, vermicompost Vermi, commercial inorganic fertilizer (19N-19P-19K), commercial organic fertilizer (Nature Safe 10N-2P-8K), and biochar added to SA on the root, shoot, and plant weight of three varieties of field-grown turnips (Purple Top White Globe PTWG, Scarlet Queen Red SQR, and Tokyo Cross TC. Regardless of SA type used in this investigation, results revealed that varieties grown in soil treated with biochar had significantly greater root, shoot, and plant weight compared to similar varieties grown in SA not treated with biochhar. SQR significantly increased turnip yield compared to PTWG and TC varieties Overall turnip shoot, root, and plant weight obtained from CM amended soil not treated with biochar was significantly greater (295.9, 524.4, and 820.3 g, respectively) compared to yield obtained from the no-amendment (NM) control treatments (147.3, 242.5, and 389.8 g, respectively). Biochar added to SS, Org, Vermi, and HM significantly increased plant weight from 522.3, 482.5, 476.5, and 450.2 g to 737.5, 701.9, 673.3, and 640.8 g, respectively. This increase represents 41, 46, 41, and 42% increase in plant weight, respectively due to the addition of biochar. Regardless of biochar application to growing plants, variety SQR is recommend for growing turnips in CM amended soil. Substitution of inorganic fertilizer by animal manure mixed with biochar may help limited-resource farmers in growing turnips at affordable costs.