The effects of Gliricidia-derived biochar on sequential maize and bean farming

Castro, Ana, da Silva Batista, Nilcileny, Latawiec, Agnieszka E., Rodrigues, Aline, Strassburg, Bernardo, Silva, Daniel, Araujo, Ednaldo, de Moraes, Luiz Fernando D., Guerra, Jose Guilherme, Galvão, Gabriel, Alves-Pinto, Helena, Mendes, Maiara, dos Santos, Juliana Silveira, Rangel, Marcio C., Figueredo, Mariela, Cornelissen, Gerard and Hale, Sarah (2018) The effects of Gliricidia-derived biochar on sequential maize and bean farming. Sustainability, 10 (3). ISSN 2071-1050

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Abstract

The addition of biochar to soils can improve soil fertility and increase agricultural productivity. We carried out a field experiment in which biochar produced from Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth ex Walp. was added to low-fertility Brazilian planosol and tested to increase the yield of maize (Zea mays) and snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in sequential, organic cultivation. Biochar was applied at a 15 t/ha rate, combined or not with Azospirillum Brasiliense inoculation and organic fertilizer (Bokashi). The application of biochar resulted in an increase in soil pH and of the content of macronutrients such as phosphorus and potassium. Contrary to evidence from elsewhere, biochar had a limited effect on increasing maize yield. In the case of beans, when combined with fertilizer, biochar increased the production of beans pods and biomass, but the significant increase was observed only for inoculation. Beans are the principal component of Brazilian diet and increasing productivity of beans is of upmost importance for the poorest in Brazil, and in other tropical countries.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	biochar,maize and beans,smallholder farming,productivity,brazil,sdg 2 - zero hunger ,/dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/zero_hunger
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Environmental Sciences
Related URLs:	http://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/10/3/578
Depositing User:	Pure Connector
Date Deposited:	13 Mar 2018 17:36
Last Modified:	22 Oct 2022 03:38
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/66486
DOI:	10.3390/su10030578

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