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Livestock-Based Farming Systems, Renewable Resources and the Environment |
A bio-test experiment was conducted at the Integrated Farming Demonstration Centre, Champasack University, Lao PDR to investigate the effect of effluent treated biochar on growth of maize and on soil fertility. The treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD) as a 2*5 factorial with 4 replications. The factors were: (i) suspension of the biochar in the effluent for 0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours; and (ii) application of biodigester effluent (with or without) at 50 kg N/ha.
With fertilization of biodigester effluent, the biomass of aerial part (leaf + stem) and root weight of maize were increased due to application of treated biochar with maximum values for the treatment time of 72h (Figures 1 and 2). Suspension of the biochar in effluent had no effect on biomass yield in the absence of fertilization with effluent. The treatments had no apparent effect on root length of maize. The effluent treated biochar had no effect on soil pH.
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Figure 1: Effect of biodigester effluent and length of time the biochar was suspended in biodigester effluent on biomass yield of aerial part of maize after 50 days |
Figure 2: Effect of biodigester effluent and length of time the biochar was suspended in biodigester effluent on root weight of maize after 50 days |
