Effects of Biochar on Soil Fertility and Crop Yields: Experience from the Southern Highlands of Tanzania

Authors

Peter M. Rogers, Institute of Resource Assessment, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 35091 Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaFollow
Pius Z. Yanda, Institute of Resource Assessment, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 35091 Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaFollow
Noah M. Pauline, Institute of Resource Assessment, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 35091 Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaFollow
Simon Haikola, Department of Thematic Studies–Technology and Social Change, Linköping University, 58183 Linköping, SwedenFollow
Anders Hansson, Centre for Climate Science and Policy Research, Department of Thematic Studies–Environmental Change, Linköping University, 58183 Linköping, SwedenFollow
Mathias Fridahl, Centre for Climate Science and Policy Research, Department of Thematic Studies–Environmental Change, Linköping University, 58183 Linköping, SwedenFollow

Section

Biological Sciences

Abstract

The world’s agricultural production is declining due to severe loss of soil fertility through natural processes or because of human activities. Biochar has been identified as a potential soil amendment to regain its fertility and increase crop productivity. This study aimed to assess the effects of biochar on soil nutrients and crop yields in the southern highlands of Tanzania. Data were collected through key informant and household interviews, and from sampling of soils in coffee farms where biochar of maize cobs origin was incorporated at the rate of 3 t ha-1. Purposive sampling approach was deployed to identify the villages in which farmers have been incorporating biochar in farms. A total of 172 households, 30 key informants, and 12 top and subsoil samples were involved in this study. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 20, and excel spreadsheet was used for descriptive results and relationships. The findings revealed that biochar significantly increased soil pH, iron (Fe), organic carbon (OC), cation exchange capacity (CEC) and exchangeable bases (potassium-K, magnesium-Mg). T - tests showed significant increase of soil nutrients in biochar treated soils. In addition, biochar increased coffee and maize yields from 1 t ha-1 to 3 t ha-1. Keywords: Biochar; Soil Nutrients; Food Security; Resilience; Adaptation

Recommended Citation

Rogers, Peter M.; Yanda, Pius Z.; Pauline, Noah M.; Haikola, Simon; Hansson, Anders; and Fridahl, Mathias (2022) "Effects of Biochar on Soil Fertility and Crop Yields: Experience from the Southern Highlands of Tanzania," Tanzania Journal of Science: Vol. 48: Iss. 2, Article 3.
Available at:https://doi.org/10.4314/tjs.v48i2.3