Effects of Biochar Application Rates on Growth of Terminalia Superba Seedlings Soil Chemical Properties and Soil Organic Carbon under Nursery Conditions
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Date
2025-09
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UENR
Abstract
Producing high quality seedlings is essential for successful plantation establishment and the choice of growing medium plays a critical role. This study determined the effects of biochar application rates by volume (v) on the growth of Terminalia superba seedlings and on key soil chemical properties under nursery conditions. Biochar was amended to sandy loam soil at different rates in two nursery experiments conducted. Experiment one constituted 10% (v), 25% (v) and 50% (v) biochar amendment rate and control (unamended topsoil), each replicated six times. Experiment two constituted 2% (v), 5% (v) and 10% (v) and each replicated three times. Biochar treatments in both experiments were arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). In both experiments, seedling growth parameters (seedling height, root collar diameter and number of leaves) and soil chemical properties (pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and soil organic carbon) were observed. The results showed that biochar amendment significantly influenced seedling growth parameters and soil chemical properties. In experiment one, the 10% (v) biochar treatment significantly increased seedling growth parameters compared to the control, while the highest rate biochar amendment 50% (v) suppressed seedling growth parameters. Similarly, in experiment two, low biochar amendment rates 2% (v) and 5% (v) enhanced seedling growth parameters. In both experiments, biochar consistently improved soil chemical properties. In experiment one, pH increased significantly by 0.92 units, N by 164%, P by 51%, K by 68% and SOC by 114% relative to the control. In experiment two, N increased significantly by 189%, P by 61%, K by 48% and SOC by 146% compared to the control. Higher biochar amendment rates (v) significantly increased pH, N, K and SOC, while P significantly increased mainly at low to moderate rates (v). The study concludes that low biochar amendment rates (v) are optimal for raising Terminalia superba seedlings, whereas higher rates (v) are more suitable for enhancing soil carbon sequestration and long-term soil fertility.
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Seedlings, Biochar Treatment, Parameters