Hyt Biofertilizers And Biochar Effects On The Growth, Yield And Fruit Quality Of Okra In The Forest Ecological Zone Of Ghana.

ABSTRACT

Two different studies were conducted at the Forest and Horticultural Crops Research Centre FOHCREC), Kade- Okumaning, from May 2011 to April 2012. The main objectives were to investigate the biological effects of biofertilizers, inorganic fertilizer and biochar on the growth, yield and fruit quality of okra in the forest ecological zone of Ghana. High Yield Technology (HYT) biofertilizers, biochar and inorganic fertilizers at three levels each, 100%, 50% and 0% were considered. Two different experiments were set up on the field during the major and minor growing seasons. Twenty- seven treatments arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) were replicated four times. Biochar was incorporated into the first 5cm of the soil to mix with the entire soil. HYT application was first done ten (10) days after emergence (DAE) and this was followed weekly, alternating the soil with foliar and inorganic fertilizer at the recommended rates. Data were collected on factors including vegetative growth characteristics, yield and fruit quality, soil chemical as well as microbial properties. Data was analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results showed that application of HYT and biochar at 50% and 100% increased significantly the growth characteristics including plant height, stem diameter, fruit number, number of leaves, fresh and dry weight of shoots and roots, days to 50% flowering, days to harvesting, nutrient composition of plant foliage, nutrient uptake and reproductive characteristics such as days to flowering, fruit number and harvesting dates. HYT biofertilizers resulted in 62% increase in fresh fruit yield over inorganic fertilizers. A combination of HYT biofertilizers, biochar and inorganic fertilizers also yielded 55% better than inorganic fertilizer amended with biochar. Biochar also enhanced HYT efficiency by 8%.