The Impact of Biochar and Animal Manure on Soil Properties, Yield, and Quality of Crops

Abstract

AbstractGenerally, waste management and nutrient cycling are constrained by inadequate utilization of crop waste products, erratic supply of energy, lack of knowledge of better processing, low value of some waste/ byproducts, and disorganized disposal in most of our societies. Biochar and animal manure are becoming popular on environmental issues, sustainable agriculture, and food quality concerns globally. Biochar production and application are important in the management of crop residues and livestock wastes that conserve environments and cycle nutrients in agriculture. Production and application of animal manures are very important in the cycling of nutrients in agriculture and management of livestock wastes. The effect of biochar on the improvement of soil fertility, yield, and quality of crops depends on the type of feedstock, pyrolysis temperature, soil characteristics, climate, and crop type. Application of biochar increases soil pH up to two times in highly weathered acidic soils of tropics while in sand desert soils it decreases soil pH depending on the materials used. Biochar may be animal or plant derived. Also, it can be acidic or alkaline depending on the nature of the materials which has a significant effect on soil reaction and nutrient availability. The application of biochar improves soil texture, structure, bulk density, chemical properties, and flora and fauna in the soil which has a positive effect on yields of crops and food quality. The effect of animal manure on soil fertility improvement depends very much on the quality of manure, soil properties, climatic conditions, and crop type. Animal manure and biochar have been reported to improve soil fertility and crop yield with a significant contribution to food quantity and quality.KeywordAnimal manureBiocharCrop yieldFarmyard manureMacronutrientsMicronutrientsPyrolysisResiduesSoil fertilityWaste management