Impact of Biochar on Vegetative Parameters, Leaf Mineral Content, Yield and Fruit Quality of Grande Naine Banana in Saline-sodic Soil

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Faculty of Agriculture, Seberbay Campus, 31527 Tanta, Egypt.

Abstract

Due to the changes in climatic condition and increasing salt affected soils, it was necessary to develop new agriculture practices to cope with these problems. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of wood sawdust biochar (WB) on Grande Naine banana plant performance. The study was conducted during 2013 and 2014 seasons with addition rates of 0, 5, 10, 20 Mg ha-1 of WB to saline-sodic soil in a private farm in Kafr Yaaqob village, Kafr El-Zayat, El- Gharbyia Governorate, Egypt.  The obtained results showed better growth, productivity and fruit quality by increasing addition rates of biochar.  Length and girth of pseudostem, leaf area, also bunch, cluster and finger weights were greatly increased with 20 Mg ha-1 rate of WB. All fruit quality parameters, i.e. number of fingers per cluster, finger length and diameter, pulp weight, peel weight, total soluble solids (T.S.S), total sugars and starch were positively enhanced by increasing biochar application. In addition, leaf mineral revealed higher contents by increasing the application of BW. The study recommends adding biochar to the orchards of Grande Naine banana grown in saline-sodic soils at 20 Mg ha-1 rate of BW.

Keywords