Influence of cocoa pod husk biochar and compost on soil physical and chemical properties, some growth parameters and yield response of carrots

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted at the experimental field of the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, College of Agriculture Education to test the effects of cocoa pod husk biochar and cocoa pod compost on the physical properties of soil, growth and yield of carrots. The experiment was laid in Randomized Complete Block Design. There were four treatments with three replications. The four treatments included: 10 tons ha-1 cocoa pod husk biochar, 20 tons ha-1 compost from cocoa pod husk; a combination of 10 tons cocoa pod husk biochar and 20 tons compost from cocoa pod husk ha-1 and no amendment (control). Data were collected on the following soil physical properties: bulk density, total porosity, infiltration rate, volumetric and gravimetric water content; chemical properties included: Soil pH, Total Nitrogen, Organic Carbon and Organic Matter Content; growth parameters included: plant height, number of leaves per plant, chlorophyll content and canopy spread per plant whiles yield was measured in: root length, root diameter and fresh weight. The data collected were analyzed using GenStat Package and ANOVA. It was concluded that organic amendments when applied to the soil improved the physical and chemical properties of the soil which promoted growth and yield of carrots.