Growth response of soybean (Glycine max L.) varieties in biochar-amended typical alfisol in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract. In Lafia, Nasarawa State, a study was conducted to assess the growth response of Soybean (Glycine max) genotypes cultivated with Rice Husk Biochar. Two genotypes, T.G.S 1448 and T.G.S 1449, provided by the State's Nasarawa Agricultural Development Program (NADP), were used. The experiment was conducted using three replicates in a Complete Randomized Block Design (CRBD). Four levels of rice husk Biochar were used in the treatments: 0, 60, 120, and 180 g/pot. The TGS1448 genotype, when subjected to the 180g biochar treatment (B180g), had the highest number of leaves (70.33), significantly more than the control which had the fewest leaves (56.00), and the other treatments. The variety TGS1449 exposed to biochar treatment B180g had the maximum plant height (59.33cm), which was substantially higher than the control (50.60) and the other treatments. The same pattern was seen in the TGS1448 variety when it was subjected to the biochar treatment B180g. After 9 weeks, plants with 180g biochar-amended soil produced 11 seeds per plant, whereas control plants did not produce pods or seeds. The study concluded that the addition of biochar to the soil significantly enhanced plant growth in the growth-restricted alfisol.