Chapter one

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background of Study

Globally, food production is threatened by diferent biotic and abiotic stresses. Poor soil fertility,

low water holding capacity, and declining organic matter are critical issues afecting agricultural

land production (Mohawesh 2014). To overcome poor soil fertility, farmers usually apply large

amounts of chemical fertilizers to enhance crop growth and productivity (Mohawesh and Durner

2019). Biochar application can be beneficial to the arable land as it improves soil quality and,

therefore, can enhance plant growth and yield (Lehmann et al. 2003). Biochar can persist in soils

and sediments because it is resistant to degradation (Lehmann and Joseph 2009). Therefore, the

application of biochar as a soil amendment can enhance plant growth and production for an

extended period of crop growth and production (Singh et al. 2019). Soil application of biochar

has numerous advantages, such as increasing water and nutrient retention capacity, decreasing

nutrient loss, and supplying nutrients to the plants (Laird 2008; Lehmann et al. 2006).

Furthermore, biochar has been shown to increase the cation exchange capacity of the soil

(Albalasmeh et al. 2020), pH (Lehmann et al. 2006), and enhance the nutrient sorption capacity

of soils (Verheijen et al. 2010). Consequently, plant shoot and root growth are improved, which

can then lead to better soil structure and aggregation (Oni et al. 2019). Biochar application to

soils can maintain organic matter (OM) levels and soil aggregation stability (Lehmann et al.

2006) because biochar is characterized by recalcitrant C from microbial degradation and by a

charged surface with organic functional groups. Reducing soil erosion potential, maintaining

OM, and improving soil aggregative stability are vital to maintaining healthy agricultural soils.

Biochar also can promote rhizosphere microorganisms and mycorrhizal fungi, which will
enhance plant growth (Głuszek et al. 2017). It is well established that biochar can afect plant

growth and stress responses (Singh et al. 2019). However, the results are often variable

depending on the source materials, application rates, and other chemical and physical properties

related to biochar composition (Semida et al. 2019). For example, biochar application was

reported to have a positive impact on tomato, pepper, and radish growth and yield (Elad et al.

2012; Chan et al. 2008; Yilangai et al. 2014). On the other hand, insignifcant efects on the annual

yield of winter wheat and summer maize were observed by Liang et al. (2014), while Steiner

et al. (2007) found no efects on nutrient contents of rice or sorghum. Furthermore, several studies

reported negative plant responses following biochar application; for example, decreased plant

nitrogen in cowpea (Lehmann et al. 2003) and decreased biomass and nitrogen uptake in beans

(Rondon et al. 2007).

1.2 Justification

Many experimental studies have reported that using biocharas an organic amendment

material could potentially modify the hydro-physical properties of soil, especially the pore

size, distribution, and porosity; therefore, the use of biochar could improve the soil available

water for plant growth. Biochar applications are among the most feasible solutions due to their

availability and low cost.

The discrepancies in the effect of biochar on plant performance may be attributed to factors such

as climate, soil characteristics, plants, the feedstock used to produce the biochar, and pyrolysis

conditions; hence, illustrating the need for extensive research to optimize biochar applications in

crop production.
1.3 Statement of problem

Bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), belonging to the solanaceous family, is considered one of

the most cultivated vegetables in the world occupying among the ten most important vegetables

on the market, both in value and volume sold. This vegetable can be consumed in the form of

green fruits, mature and industrialized in powder form. It is a very demanding plant with respect

to the chemical and physical characteristics of the soil, with a good response to organic

fertilization. The highest yields are obtained through the combination of organic fertilizers and

minerals. According to Marcussi et al. (2004), mineral nutrition is essential to increase

productivity and improve the quality of the harvested bell peppers, and play important roles in

plant metabolism. Among the macronutrients, nitrogen is the second most demanded by

vegetables and is considered one of the most limiting nutrients for the bell pepper crop, because

it influences the physiological processes that occur in plants and fruit production.

1.4 General Objective

The general objective of this study is to determine the effect of organic blended biochar of

growth and yield of bell pepper.

1.5 Specific Objective

The specific objectives of this study were;

i. To determine the effect of organic blended biochar of growth of bell pepper.

ii. To determine the effect of organic blended biochar on yield of bell pepper.
 CHAPTER THREE

3.0 Materials and Method

3.1 Study Area

This study will be conducted in Faculty of Agriculture Nasarawa State University Shabu-Lafia

Campus. Lafia is situated at Latitude 080, 35N and Longitude 080 33E in the Guinea savannah

zone of North Central Nigeria at an altitude of about 177m above the sea level. The mean

monthly maximum temperature range between 35.060 C to 36.400C and 20.160C to 20.500C

respectively while relative humidity and rainfall are 74.67% and 168.90mm respectively

(Jayeoba, 2013).

Fig 1.

Map of study Area

3.2 Seed collection

Viable mature seed of bell pepper will be bought from Akruba, Lafia Local Government area,

Nasarawa State.

3.3. Experimental design

The experiment will be laid in a completely randomized design (CRD) with nine (9) treatments.

Each treatment will consist of nine experimental units replicated three times given a total of

twenty seven (27) Beds. The seeds will be raise in twenty seven (27) polythene bags in order to

assess seed germinated after which seedlings they will be transplanted into the plot. A plot of 1m

× 1m size will be fill with 1.5g of forest topsoil and treatments will be measure and apply on the

media according to specification and water for five days after which the seedlings will be

transplanted into the media and arranged according to treatment specification.

3.4. Data collection

Data on seeds germination will be collected in two days interval until emergency cease. Data on

seedlings variables will be obtained on fourth night basis. Plant height will be collected using

metre rule. Collar girth of seedlings will be taken with the aid of digital veneer caliper. Number

of leaves will be enumerated manually on each of the seedlings while data on leaf length and leaf

width will be collected using metre rule.

3.5. Data Analysis

Data obtained will be subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). Significant means will be

separated using Duncan multiple range test (DMRT) at 0.05 significant level.