Inorganic nitrogen fertilizer, biochar particle size and rate of application on lettuce ( Lactuca sativa L.) nitrogen use and yield
Year: 2022
Type: article
Abstract: Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) efficient use of nitrogen (NUE) determines its growth and yield. We assessed the interaction effect of N fertilizer and biochar of different particle sizes and rates on NUE, growth and yield of lettuce. A factorial design arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design with four replications was used to conduct a field experiment at the FRNR farm, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana. The treatment consisted of biochar at 8.33 t and 16.67 t ha−1 with different particle sizes (<2, 5 and 10 mm) and five rates (0, 31.3, 62.5, 93.83 and 125 kg ha−1) of inorganic N fertilizer. Our result showed that integrating 8.33 t ha−1 of <2 mm and 5 mm biochar with 62.5 and 93.8 kgN ha−1, respectively improved lettuce growth, NUE by 30% and yield. The yield (19.3 t ha−1) obtained with these applications is comparable to the achievable yield (20 t ha−1) of lettuce under the sole N recommended rate (125 kgN ha−1). In conclusion, with 8.33 t ha−1 of <2 mm biochar, farmers can reduce the recommended inorganic N rate of lettuce by half (62.5 kg ha−1) and still attain good yield with improved post-harvest soil fertility. This has implications for farmers’ production costs, agriculture waste management and climate change mitigation strategies.
Source: All Life
Institution: Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
Language: English
Subfield: Soil Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,459
OpenAlex ID: W4281708992