How Chicken Manure and Biochar Affect Nutrients in Sweet Potato Leaves and Roots

Jenn Hoskins
19th July, 2024

How Chicken Manure and Biochar Affect Nutrients in Sweet Potato Leaves and Roots

Sweet potato plant & leaves (Ipomoea batatas)

Photo adapted from: Daniel Hincapie / CC BY (Source)

Key Findings

  • The study in southwestern Nigeria tested the effects of poultry manure and biochar on sweet potato nutrition
  • Combining poultry manure and biochar significantly improved nutrient levels in sweet potato leaves and roots
  • The highest application rates of both amendments resulted in the greatest increases in essential nutrients and minerals
Enhancing crop nutritional quality through soil amendments is a crucial aspect of sustainable agriculture. One promising approach involves the combined use of poultry manure (PM) and wood biochar (B) to improve the nutrient concentrations in sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) leaves and the mineral content stored in sweet potato storage roots. A recent two-year field trial conducted by Adekunle Ajasin University in southwestern Nigeria aimed to explore this synergistic effect[1]. The study was carried out over the 2019 and 2020 cropping seasons at two locations, Owo-site A and Obasooto-site B. Different combinations of poultry manure (0, 5.0, and 10.0 t ha-1) and biochar (0, 10.0, 20.0, and 30.0 t ha-1) were tested in a 3 × 4 factorial layout. The results demonstrated significant positive impacts on the nutrient composition of sweet potato leaves and the mineral content in storage roots when poultry manure and biochar were applied individually or in combination. The highest application rates of poultry manure (10.0 t ha-1) and biochar (30.0 t ha-1) resulted in the most substantial increases in leaf nutrient concentrations and root mineral content. Specifically, the treatment increased nitrogen by 88.2%, phosphorus by 416.7%, potassium by 123.8%, calcium by 927.3%, and magnesium by 333.3% in the leaves compared to the control. In the storage roots, phosphorus increased by 152.5%, potassium by 77.4%, calcium by 205.5%, magnesium by 294.6%, iron by 268.4%, zinc by 228.6%, and sodium by 433.3% compared to the control. These findings align with previous research on the benefits of biochar in agricultural soils. For instance, biochar has been shown to reduce N2O emissions significantly, thereby promoting more efficient nitrogen utilization[2]. Additionally, biochar's structure and stability contribute to enhanced soil fertility by increasing cation-exchange capacity, which helps retain plant nutrients[3]. The current study expands on these findings by demonstrating that biochar, when used in conjunction with poultry manure, can further enhance nutrient uptake in crops like sweet potatoes. The economic profitability of this combined application was also notable. The highest application rates of poultry manure and biochar yielded the highest economic returns, with a gross margin of 44,034 US$ ha-1, a net return of 30,038 US$ ha-1, and a value-to-cost ratio (VCR) of 263. This suggests that the combined use of poultry manure and biochar is not only beneficial for crop nutrition but also economically viable for farmers in similar agroecological zones and soil conditions. In summary, the study conducted by Adekunle Ajasin University provides compelling evidence that the combined application of poultry manure and wood biochar significantly enhances the nutritional quality of sweet potatoes. This synergistic effect improves nutrient concentrations in leaves and mineral content in storage roots, making it a promising strategy for sustainable agriculture. These findings also build on previous research highlighting the benefits of biochar in soil fertility and nutrient retention, offering a comprehensive approach to improving crop yields and economic returns for farmers.

AgricultureNutritionPlant Science

References

Main Study

1) Impacts of poultry manure and biochar amendments on the nutrients in sweet potato leaves and the minerals in the storage roots.

Published 18th July, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-67486-9

Related Studies

2) Biochar and denitrification in soils: when, how much and why does biochar reduce N₂O emissions?

https://doi.org/10.1038/srep01732

3) Abundant and stable char residues in soils: implications for soil fertility and carbon sequestration.

https://doi.org/10.1021/es301107c


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