Co-application of kenaf-derived biochar and NPK fertiliser on maize agronomic and soil biological properties in a tropical Alfisol under greenhouse conditions

Authors

  • Osunde, O.M. Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
  • Taiwo, L.B. Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
  • Fashina, C.D. Department of Microbiology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
  • Olatoberu, F.T. Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
  • Akintibu, S.T. Department of Crop Production and Protection, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
  • Oladimeji, O.J. Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State, Nigeria

Keywords:

Biochar-fertiliser co-application Total heterotrophic bacteria Total heterotrophic fungi Microbial respiration

Abstract

Declining soil fertility and excessive inorganic fertiliser use threaten the
sustainability of maize production in tropical regions. This study evaluated the
co-application of kenaf-derived biochar and NPK fertiliser on maize agronomic
performance and soil biological properties in a greenhouse pot experiment at
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Treatments included a control,
sole biochar (2.5 and 5 t ha⁻¹), sole NPK (100 kg ha⁻¹), and biochar-NPK co
application (2.5 and 5 t ha⁻¹ biochar + 50 kg ha⁻¹ NPK) arranged in a completely
randomized design with three replicates. Results showed that co-application of
5 t ha⁻¹ biochar + 50 kg ha⁻¹ NPK significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced plant height,
stem girth, chlorophyll index, and number of leaves, performing comparably to
the full NPK rate. This treatment also significantly increased total heterotrophic
bacteria, total heterotrophic fungi, and microbial respiration. Kenaf biochar
integration with half-rate NPK offers a viable strategy for sustaining maize
productivity while enhancing soil biological health.

Author Biographies

Osunde, O.M., Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State, Nigeria

Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State, Nigeria

Taiwo, L.B., Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Fashina, C.D., Department of Microbiology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Department of Microbiology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Olatoberu, F.T., Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State, Nigeria

Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State, Nigeria

Akintibu, S.T., Department of Crop Production and Protection, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Department of Crop Production and Protection, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Oladimeji, O.J. , Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State, Nigeria

Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State, Nigeria

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Published

2026-09-11

How to Cite

Osunde, O., Taiwo, L., Fashina, C., Olatoberu, F., Akintibu, S., & Oladimeji, O. . (2026). Co-application of kenaf-derived biochar and NPK fertiliser on maize agronomic and soil biological properties in a tropical Alfisol under greenhouse conditions . Moor Journal of Agricultural Research, 27(1), 166–172. Retrieved from https://iart.gov.ng/moorjournal/index.php/mjar/article/view/285

Issue

Vol. 27 No. 1 (2026): Moor Journal of Agricultural Research (MJAR)

Section

Soil Science