Abstract
Abstract Low soil fertility is a major problem limiting peri-urban vegetable production in the Kumasi metropolis. This study was conducted to assess the effects of poultry litter biochar (PLB) and NPK fertilizer application on soil chemical properties and the yield of cabbage. Twelve treatments (control, 100% NPK, 50% NPK, 2.5 t ha−1 PLB, 2.5 t ha−1 PLB + 50% NPK, 2.5 t ha−1 PLB + 100% NPK, 5 t ha−1 PLB, 5 t ha−1 PLB + 50% NPK, 5 t ha−1 PLB + 100% NPK, 7.5 t ha−1 PLB, 7.5 t ha−1 PLB + 50% NPK, and 7.5 t ha−1 PLB + 100% NPK) were evaluated under field conditions in a randomized block design with three replications. Combined application of PLB and NPK fertilizer improved the soil chemical properties, growth, and yield of cabbage relative to the control and sole PLB treatments. Application of 5 t ha−1 PLB + 50% NPK increased the soil pH, soil organic carbon, available phosphorus, and cation exchange capacity by 26.6, 41.4, 296, and 78.7%, respectively, relative to the control. Moreover, 5 t ha−1 PLB + 50% NPK increased the cabbage yield by 73% compared with the control. This study concludes that PLB and NPK fertilizers can be applied to improve the soil chemical properties and yield of cabbage.
Highlights
Low soil fertility is a major problem limiting peri-urban vegetable production in the Kumasi metropolis
The increase in the available soil phosphorus over the control following the application of the soil amendments was in the order: 100% NPK < 5 t ha−1 poultry litter biochar (PLB) < 50% NPK < 7.5 t ha−1 PLB < 7.5 t ha−1 PLB + 50% NPK < 2.5 t ha−1 PLB + 50% NPK < 2.5 t ha−1 PLB + 100% NPK < 7.5 t ha−1 PLB + 100% NPK < 5 t ha−1 PLB + 100% NPK < 2.5 t ha−1 PLB < 5 t ha−1 PLB + 50% NPK
Significant increases in cation exchange capacity (CEC) compared to the control were recorded for all the amendments imposed except 50% NPK, 100% NPK, and 2.5 t ha−1 PLB + 50% NPK and 2.5 t ha−1 PLB + 100% NPK which resulted in significant decreases in CEC; 7.5 t ha−1 PLB +
Summary
Abstract: Low soil fertility is a major problem limiting peri-urban vegetable production in the Kumasi metropolis. This study was conducted to assess the effects of poultry litter biochar (PLB) and NPK fertilizer application on soil chemical properties and the yield of cabbage. Combined application of PLB and NPK fertilizer improved the soil chemical properties, growth, and yield of cabbage relative to the control and sole PLB treatments. Application of 5 t ha−1 PLB + 50% NPK increased the soil pH, soil organic carbon, available phosphorus, and cation exchange capacity by 26.6, 41.4, 296, and 78.7%, respectively, relative to the control. 5 t ha−1 PLB + 50% NPK increased the cabbage yield by 73% compared with the control. This study concludes that PLB and NPK fertilizers can be applied to improve the soil chemical properties and yield of cabbage
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