Biochar tablets with and without embedded fertilizer on the soil chemical characteristics and nutrient use efficiency of zea mays
Densification of ashy biochar into tablet can enhance the handling and conveyance efficiencies of biochar. It was hypothesized that fertilizer-embedded biochar tablets can slowly release embedded nutrients in synchrony with optimum nutrient uptake by crops. The objectives of this research were to de...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI
2021
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| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/113286/ |
| _version_ | 1848866181178458112 |
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| author | Yit, Leng Lee Ahmed, Osumanu Haruna Abdul Wahid, Samsuri Ab Aziz, Zakry Fitri |
| author_facet | Yit, Leng Lee Ahmed, Osumanu Haruna Abdul Wahid, Samsuri Ab Aziz, Zakry Fitri |
| author_sort | Yit, Leng Lee |
| building | UPM Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | Densification of ashy biochar into tablet can enhance the handling and conveyance efficiencies of biochar. It was hypothesized that fertilizer-embedded biochar tablets can slowly release embedded nutrients in synchrony with optimum nutrient uptake by crops. The objectives of this research were to determine the effects of biochar tablets with and without embedded fertilizer on soil chemical properties and nutrient use efficiency of Zea mays (sweet corn). The biochar tablet (BT) was produced by blending a biochar mixture with starch followed by densification using a single punch tablet press whereas the fertilizer embedded biochar tablet (BF) was prepared using the same procedure except that NPK fertilizer was added during blending. A pot experiment with five fertilization treatments including control was carried out in an open field located in Perlis, Malaysia. Co-application of biochar and fertilizer increased soil total carbon, nitrogen, but it reduced soil electrical conductivity (EC). Additionally, the BF significantly increased leaf chlorophyll content, dry root weight, and total plant nutrient use efficiency of sweet corn. The findings suggest that BF can serve as a slow release fertilizer to improve crop nutrient use efficiency. Therefore, embedding fertilizer in biochar tablets is recommended for sweet corn production following a long term field study to confirm the findings of this pot study. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-15T14:16:31Z |
| format | Article |
| id | upm-113286 |
| institution | Universiti Putra Malaysia |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-15T14:16:31Z |
| publishDate | 2021 |
| publisher | MDPI |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | upm-1132862024-11-22T07:02:07Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/113286/ Biochar tablets with and without embedded fertilizer on the soil chemical characteristics and nutrient use efficiency of zea mays Yit, Leng Lee Ahmed, Osumanu Haruna Abdul Wahid, Samsuri Ab Aziz, Zakry Fitri Densification of ashy biochar into tablet can enhance the handling and conveyance efficiencies of biochar. It was hypothesized that fertilizer-embedded biochar tablets can slowly release embedded nutrients in synchrony with optimum nutrient uptake by crops. The objectives of this research were to determine the effects of biochar tablets with and without embedded fertilizer on soil chemical properties and nutrient use efficiency of Zea mays (sweet corn). The biochar tablet (BT) was produced by blending a biochar mixture with starch followed by densification using a single punch tablet press whereas the fertilizer embedded biochar tablet (BF) was prepared using the same procedure except that NPK fertilizer was added during blending. A pot experiment with five fertilization treatments including control was carried out in an open field located in Perlis, Malaysia. Co-application of biochar and fertilizer increased soil total carbon, nitrogen, but it reduced soil electrical conductivity (EC). Additionally, the BF significantly increased leaf chlorophyll content, dry root weight, and total plant nutrient use efficiency of sweet corn. The findings suggest that BF can serve as a slow release fertilizer to improve crop nutrient use efficiency. Therefore, embedding fertilizer in biochar tablets is recommended for sweet corn production following a long term field study to confirm the findings of this pot study. MDPI 2021-04-27 Article PeerReviewed Yit, Leng Lee and Ahmed, Osumanu Haruna and Abdul Wahid, Samsuri and Ab Aziz, Zakry Fitri (2021) Biochar tablets with and without embedded fertilizer on the soil chemical characteristics and nutrient use efficiency of zea mays. Sustainability, 13 (9). p. 4878. https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/9/4878 Biochars Fertilization of plants Agricultural - Research 10.3390/su13094878 |
| spellingShingle | Biochars Fertilization of plants Agricultural - Research Yit, Leng Lee Ahmed, Osumanu Haruna Abdul Wahid, Samsuri Ab Aziz, Zakry Fitri Biochar tablets with and without embedded fertilizer on the soil chemical characteristics and nutrient use efficiency of zea mays |
| title | Biochar tablets with and without embedded fertilizer on the soil chemical characteristics and nutrient use efficiency of zea mays |
| title_full | Biochar tablets with and without embedded fertilizer on the soil chemical characteristics and nutrient use efficiency of zea mays |
| title_fullStr | Biochar tablets with and without embedded fertilizer on the soil chemical characteristics and nutrient use efficiency of zea mays |
| title_full_unstemmed | Biochar tablets with and without embedded fertilizer on the soil chemical characteristics and nutrient use efficiency of zea mays |
| title_short | Biochar tablets with and without embedded fertilizer on the soil chemical characteristics and nutrient use efficiency of zea mays |
| title_sort | biochar tablets with and without embedded fertilizer on the soil chemical characteristics and nutrient use efficiency of zea mays |
| topic | Biochars Fertilization of plants Agricultural - Research |
| url | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/113286/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/113286/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/113286/ |