Effects of cow dung and wood biochars and green manure on soil fertility and tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus L.) performance on a savanna Alfiso

Abstract

Two field experiments were conducted concurrently in 2019. The study investigated the effects of single and combined application of wood biochar (WB) and cow dung biochar (CDB) with green manure (GM) on soil properties, performance, and tuber qualities of tiger nut. The treatments consisted of: CDB at 10 t ha-1, WB at 10 t ha-1, GM—Tithonia diversifolia at 10 t ha-1, CDB +GM, WB +GM, control. The six treatments were arranged in RCBD with three replications. CDB, WB, and GM either sole or combined increased moisture content, SOC, nutrient contents, culturable microorganisms, performance, moisture, ash, fiber, and protein contents of the tiger nut compared with the control. CDB has a higher N, C: N ratio, P, K, Ca, Mg, CEC, and pH relative to. CDB alone and CDB +GM increased growth and yield compared with WB alone and WB +GM. CDB +GM has the highest value of growth and yield of tiger nut. GM alone improved growth and yield of tiger nut compared with the two sole biochar treatments. CDB +GM and WB +GM increased growth and yield of tiger nut compared with their sole forms. This was adduced to biochar allowing the retention of nutrients from rapidly decomposing Tithonia within the rooting zone, thereby promoting better effectiveness of nutrient uptake and increase in yield. Therefore, for good soil fertility and tiger nut yield, it is important that the addition of a fast releasing nutrient source to biochar be sought.