Aim/Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of biochars from Rice Husk, Cassava collar and sawdust on the growth and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) in order to increase agricultural practices for sustainable and environmentally friendly crop production. Biochar is a carbon-rich product derived from biomass pyrolysis, has shown potential as a soil amendment for improving crop productivity.
Methods: A randomized complete block design (RCBD) was employed with four treatments: biochars from Rice Husk, Cassava collar and sawdust, and a control (no biochar). The experiment consist of rice husk, cassava collar and sawdust biochar with a control, and replicated in a total of twelve (12) pots for Ten weeks. The growth parameters measured includes plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, fruit weight, and yield, and analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) for complete randomized design (RCD) using STAR statistical package. The differences among the treatments were determined using least significant differences (LSD) at 5% level of significance.
Results: The Biochars application significantly improved the okra growth and yield compared to the control, with rice husk biochar showing the highest improvement with the highest number of fruit and fruit weight having coefficient of variance (CV) of 7.99% and 0.59% respectively, followed by sawdust and cassava collar biochar.
Conclusion: The positive effective performance of the Okra reveals Rice Husk biochar as the best among the selected biochars. Therefore, it is recommended that Farmers should consider using rice husk biochar to improve and enhance crop yields.
Key words: Biochar, Okra,Growth, Yield, effect
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