EFFECT OF BIOCHAR AMENDMENT AND IRRIGATION REGIMES ON GROWTH AND YIELD COMPONENTS OF SCREENHOUSE GROWN CAPSICUM CHINENSE IN SOILLESS MEDIA

ANIOBI,, MATHIAS MADUAKOLAM (2021) EFFECT OF BIOCHAR AMENDMENT AND IRRIGATION REGIMES ON GROWTH AND YIELD COMPONENTS OF SCREENHOUSE GROWN CAPSICUM CHINENSE IN SOILLESS MEDIA. Masters thesis, Landmark University, Omu Aran, Kwara State.

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Abstract

This study investigated the combined effects of amended substrates (rice husk and saw dust) and different water application rates in the cultivation of Habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense) crop. The substrates were amended with biochar produced from poultry liter using a fabricated pyrolysis kiln and incorporated into the rice husk and saw dust substrates at rates 30% and 50% by weight of biochar to substrates in a plastic pot planted with Habanero pepper. The produced biochar was characterized for moisture content, porosity, ash content, volatile matter, bulk density, solid density, specific surface area, pH and water holding capacity. Agronomic measures were applied to the cultivated Habanero pepper during the growing period in plastic culture system. The effect of the combined treatments on the phenological and yield of Habanero pepper was measured and recorded. The Capsicum chinense was grown in amended substrate with different irrigation treatment levels of I60% (deficit irrigation), I80% (deficit irrigation), I100% (actual irrigation) and I120% (surplus irrigation). The amended substrates for the experiment are define as follows; A-30% biochar, b-rice husk (Ab); A-30%, biochar, a-sawdust (Aa); B-50% biochar, asawdust (aB) and B-50% biochar, b-rice husk (Bb). Plant height for all treatment combinations were in the order Ab > Bb > aB> Aa. Highest stem diameter (1±0.7 mm) was obtained at I80Bb and I100, 120Ab. Leaf area index increased from 2 for I60,120 Bb to 2.7 for I80,120Ab, Aa. These shows that biochar application enhanced plant height, stem diameter, plant fresh, weights and yield components of pepper plant. Moreover, biochar application improved the efficiency of irrigation water usage. But I80Ab was the best treatment combination for Habanero pepper production in screenhouse according to the analysis. However, ANOVA results were not significant, but using four test statistics were significant at 5% and significant at 1% respectively. Therefore, biochar amendment could be an effective option to improve substrate media which affected the plants. Keywords: Biochar; Screenhouse; Irrigation regime; Soilless amendment; Treatment

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