Title:
Ethiopia Tests Integrated Crop Residue and Soil Fertility Management Employing Biochar-based Fertilizer (BBF)
Author(s):
Mekonnen, B., Wilske, B., Abera, T., Siegfried, K., Nigussie, A., Gizachew, S., Regassa, A., Worku, R., Ahmed, M., Nebiyu, A., Firomsa, T., Husien, A., Worku, G., Lema, A., Tilahun, A., Getachew, M., Assefa, K., Dume, B., Eshete, G.
Document(s):
Paper
Poster
Abstract:
Soil organic matter and nutrient depletion are among the main challenges affecting agricultural production in Ethiopia. Biochar-based fertilizer is suggested as a tool to increase soil organic carbon despite the rapid cycle of soil organic carbon formation and breakdown under tropical conditions. Biochar based fertilizer appears particularly suitable for the lasting buildup of soil organic carbon from a very limited resource base of residual biomass. Preliminary results from studies conducted in the frame of the ETH-Soil project indicate that combinations of biochar with vermicompost, bio-slurry, and digestates positively affect biomass and grain yield of wheat and sorghum in the Oromia and Sidama regions of Ethiopia. Notably, effects from one-time application can be seen in plant growth, but significant effects on soil parameters such as pH, soil organic carbon, and cation exchange capacity would take a relatively longer time to materialize. However, tentative trends are discussed as per their fit to the current concept understanding of biochar and biochar-based fertilizer functions in their interactions with soils. Our results show that biochar-based fertilizer can be a promising alternative for soil amendment in smallholder farming systems. Hence, adopting biochar-based fertilizer into the integrated soil fertility management toolbox will reduce dependency on inorganic fertilizers.
Keywords:
biochar, Ethiopia, biochar-based fertilizer, integrated soil fertility management
Topic:
Sustainable Resources for Decarbonising the Economy
Subtopic:
Innovative biomass production for energy integrated into traditional agri-forestry systems
Event:
32nd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
1DV.5.2
Pages:
165 - 169
ISBN:
978-88-89407-24-0
Paper DOI:
10.5071/32ndEUBCE2024-1DV.5.2
Price:
FREE
