Effect of Biochar Soil Amendment on Soil Properties and Yield of Sesame Varieties in Lafia, Nigeria

Abstract

The experiments were conducted during 2011 and 2012 rainy season at the research and teaching farm of the college of agriculture, Lafia, Nasarawa state, Nigeria; to evaluate the effect of biochar amended soil on soil properties and yield of sesame varieties. The treatments consisted of three rates of rice husk biochar (0, 5 and 10 t/ha) and three rates of sawdust biochar (0, 5 and 10 t/ha) and two varieties of sesame (Yandev 55 and local variety) which were factorially combined and laid in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and replicated three times. The result showed that the soil is low in major nutrients before the incorporation of biochar. The soil was also acidi c in nature (pH: 5.98). After incorporation of biochar and two y ears of cropping. Result revealed that both rice husk and sawdust biochars rates did not showed any significant effect on sand, clay and silt; but had a significant effect on % soil moisture content, bulk density, % porosity and % soil water - filled pore space. Application of 10 t/ha produced the highest value of 10.697% and 10.77% soil moisture content, 36.47% and 35.58% of soil porosity, 50% and 50.6% soil water