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Archives of Agriculture Research and Technology
[ ISSN : 2832-8639 ]


Application of Buffalo Manure and Biochar Improved growth and Yield of Soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill)

Research Article
Volume 4 - Issue 1 | Article DOI : 10.54026/AART/1045


Marçal Gusmão* , José Adriano Marçal and Aquelino Gaspar

Department of Agronomy, Centre for Climate Change and Biodiversity, National University of Timor Lorosae
(UNTL), Timor-Leste

Corresponding Authors

Marçal Gusmão, Department of Agronomy, Centre for Climate Change and Biodiversity, National University of Timor Lorosae (UNTL), Timor Lorosae

Keywords

Organic carbon; Plant biomass; Crop phenology; Soybean

Received : January 27, 2023
Published : March 03, 2023

Abstract

Buffalo manure and rice-husk biochar (hereafter refer to biochar) are known as organic materials that their application to soil can enhance growth and production of crops. The appropriate dose of these organic materials to increase growth and yield of soybean is yet studied particularly on the southeast coast of Timor-Leste. This study aimed to identify appropriate doses of buffalo manure and biochar for producing soybean. The experiment was delivered using a Split Plot Design factorial 3 × 3. The first factor was buffalo manure (K) consisted of three level treatments; K0 = 0 t/ha (control), K1 = 5 t/ha, K2 = 10 t/ ha, and the second factor were biochar (B) consisted of three level treatments; B0 = 0 t/ha (control), B1= 3 t/ha, and B2 = 6 t/ ha. Parameters investigated were soil pH, crop phenology, plant height, leaf and branch numbers, filled pods, seeds per pod, biomass production, yield and harvest index. Analysis of variance showed that biochar significantly increased pH level of the soil by 4.01% and 6.80% for 3 t/ha and 6 t/ha biochar, respectively, compared to the control (5.33). Application of buffalo manure and biochar did not affect crop phenology. There was buffalo manure x biochar interaction for plant height and the rests showed an independent positive impact on growth and yield of soybean. The application of buffalo manure at 5 t/ha, in general, did not affect growth and yield. Buffalo manure at the rate of 10 t/ha significantly increased filled pods per plant, 100 seed weight, seed yield and plant biomass production by 32.55%, 5.93%, 36.24% and 35.17%, respectively, compared to the controls. Application of biochar with 3 t/ha increased filled pods per plant, 100 seed weight, seed yield, plant biomass and HI by 10.64%, 1.70%, 10.47%, 7.51% and 2.94%, respectively, compared to the controls. These results showed positive impact of buffalo manure and biochar on growth, yield and yield components of soybean.