Impact of Biochar and NPK Fertilization on Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Growth, Yield and Soil Properties in Degraded Tropical Soils
IBRAHIM GREMA Maman Hamissou
Laboratory of Industrial Processes for Synthesis, the Environment, and New Energies (LAPISEN), Félix Houphouët-Boigny National Polytechnic Institute, PO Box 1093, Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast and Joint Research and Innovation Unit for Agricultural Sciences and Transformation Processes (UMRI-SAPT), INPHB, PO Box 1093, Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast.
KONAN Affoué Tindo Sylvie
Laboratory of Thermodynamics and Physical Chemistry of the Environment (LTPCM), UFR SFA, Nangui Abrogoua University, PO Box 801 Abidjan 02, Ivory Coast.
KOUADIO Yao Didier Marius
Joint Research and Innovation Unit for Agricultural Sciences and Transformation Processes (UMRI-SAPT), INPHB, PO Box 1093, Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast.
GARBA LABO Mahaman Nazirou
Laboratory of Industrial Processes for Synthesis, the Environment, and New Energies (LAPISEN), Félix Houphouët-Boigny National Polytechnic Institute, PO Box 1093, Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast and Joint Research and Innovation Unit for Agricultural Sciences and Transformation Processes (UMRI-SAPT), INPHB, PO Box 1093, Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast.
AMADOU KIARI Mahamane Nassirou
Laboratory of Industrial Processes for Synthesis, the Environment, and New Energies (LAPISEN), Félix Houphouët-Boigny National Polytechnic Institute, PO Box 1093, Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast.
BROU Yao Casimir
Joint Research and Innovation Unit for Agricultural Sciences and Transformation Processes (UMRI-SAPT), INPHB, PO Box 1093, Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast.
YAO Kouassi Benjamin *
Laboratory of Industrial Processes for Synthesis, the Environment, and New Energies (LAPISEN), Félix Houphouët-Boigny National Polytechnic Institute, PO Box 1093, Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast and Joint Research and Innovation Unit for Agricultural Sciences and Transformation Processes (UMRI-SAPT), INPHB, PO Box 1093, Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study investigates the effects of biochar applied at different concentrations on tomato growth, yield, and soil properties. In greenhouse experiments, the application of 2% biochar significantly enhanced plant growth parameters, including height, stem diameter, and number of leaves. It also improved soil physical and chemical properties, such as water retention, aggregate stability, and nutrient availability, ultimately leading to increased tomato yield. In contrast, higher biochar concentrations (5% and 10%) negatively affected plant growth, underscoring the importance of dosage optimization. In field trials, the application of NPK fertilizer (12-22-22) at 200 kg/ha resulted in the highest yield increase, while biochar applied at 1 t/ha improved productivity compared to the control. These findings demonstrate the potential of biochar and NPK as effective soil amendments to enhance crop yield and promote soil sustainability.
Keywords: Biochar, NPK fertilization, tomato growth, yield, soil properties