COMPARING THE EFFECT OF BIOCHAR AND POULTRY MANURE ON PROPERTIES OF SOIL, GROWTH AND YIELD OF TOMATOES (SOLANUM LYCOPERSICUM L.)

Abstract

Soil degradation and the over-reliance on chemical fertilizers pose significant threats to sustainable crop production and environmental health. Biochar and poultry manure are prominent organic amendments lauded for their potential to enhance soil quality and plant growth. This study aimed to compare the effect of biochar and poultry manure on soil physicochemical properties, growth and yield of tomatoes. A field experiment, arranged in a randomized complete block design, with three rates of biochar (5, 10, and 20 t ha-1), three rates of poultry manure (10, 20, and 30 t ha-1), and control with inorganic NPK (2:3:4) fertilizer at 1000 kg ha-1 with three block and nine replications was conducted. Soil analysis results indicated that poultry manure significantly increased soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium than other treatments. Both organic amendments caused a reduction in soil cation exchange capacity. The findings also showed that the inorganic fertilizer and the lower rate of biochar (5 t ha-1) influenced early vegetative growth and flowering. However, at harvest, 10 and 20 t ha-1 of biochar, produced the highest numbers of fruits per plant and significantly dry root biomass. Poultry manure rates generally underperformed in the early growth stages but showed a late season surge in flowering. The study suggests that biochar at 10-20 t ha-1 is a highly effective soil amendment for enhancing tomato yield and root development, while poultry manure is most effective at improving soil fertility.