Search

Menu
Search
in Ecology

Integrating biochar, compost, and chemical fertilizer improves maize yield and soil health in the guinea savannah: evidence from two cropping seasons in Northern Ghana

38 Views


Abstract

Maize production by smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa is constrained by declining soil fertility due to low input use and poor nutrient management. This study evaluated the individual and combined effects of biochar, compost, and chemical fertilizer on maize growth, yield, and soil chemical properties during the 2023 and 2024 cropping seasons in Northern Ghana. A randomized complete block design was used with six treatments: control, biochar alone (B), compost alone (C), chemical fertilizer (CF), biochar + compost (½ B + ½ C), and biochar + compost + chemical fertilizer (½ B + ½ C + ½ CF). Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), and treatment means were separated using the least significant difference (LSD) test at a 5% probability level. The biochar + compost + chemical fertilizer (½ B + ½ C + ½ CF) treatment significantly increased maize grain yield by 105.7% in 2023 and 127.4% in 2024 compared to the control. Soil organic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus improved by 115.8%, 685%, and 40.2%, respectively, under this integrated treatment. The SPAD chlorophyll index, cob number, seed weight, and harvest index also increased significantly. Grain yield correlated strongly with soil pH (r = 0.88***), electrical conductivity (r = 0.94***), organic carbon (r = 0.84***), and phosphorus (r = 0.86***). The results demonstrate that integrating biochar, compost, and mineral fertilizer enhances maize productivity and soil fertility, while biochar addition contributes to increased soil carbon storage in semi-arid, low-input systems of West Africa.

Data availability

The datasets generated and/or analysed during the current study are available upon request.

References

  1. FAO. FAOSTAT statistical database. Food and agriculture organization of the united nations. http://www.fao.org/faostat/ (2021)

  2. Shiferaw, B., Prasanna, B. M., Hellin, J. & Bänziger, M. Crops that feed the world 6. Past successes and future challenges to the role played by maize in global food security. Food Secur. 3, 307–327 (2011).

    Google Scholar 

  3. Badu-Apraku, B., Fakorede, M. A. B., Menkir, A., Kamara, A. Y. & Melaku, G. Breeding for drought and nitrogen stress tolerance in maize in sub-Saharan Africa (Springer, 2012).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Agyeman, P. C., Tetteh, F. M. & Abunyewa, A. A. Soil fertility decline and maize production in Ghana: a review. West Afr. J. Appl. Ecol. 28(1), 63–75 (2020).

    Google Scholar 

  5. Vanlauwe, B. et al. Integrated soil fertility management operational definition: agricultural systems approach. Outlook Agric. 39(1), 17–24 (2010).

    Google Scholar 

  6. Saaka, M., Abunyewa, A. A. & Denkyirah, E. K. Soil degradation in the Guinea Savanna: Implications for food security in Ghana. Sustainability 13(5), 2512 (2021).

    Google Scholar 

  7. Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA). Agriculture in Ghana: Facts and figures (2018). statistics, research and information directorate (SRID) Accra. (2019)

  8. Adjei-Nsiah, S. & Bagamsah, T. T. Comparative study of different soil fertility management practices in the Guinea Savanna zone of Ghana. Agric. Sci. 3(6), 768–775 (2012).

    Google Scholar 

  9. Abdulai, H., Alhassan, Y. B. & Mohammed, A. Integrated soil fertility management options for maize production in northern Ghana: lessons for sustainable intensification. J. Soil Sci. Environ. Manag. 14(2), 45–57 (2023).

    Google Scholar 

  10. Chivenge, P., Vanlauwe, B. & Six, J. Integrated soil fertility management: contributions of organic inputs and mineral fertilizers to soil productivity. Nutr. Cycl. Agroecosyst. 119, 1–15 (2021).

    Google Scholar 

  11. Vanlauwe, B. et al. Integrated soil fertility management in sub-Saharan Africa: From concept to practice. Nutr. Cycl. Agroecosyst. 109, 1–18 (2015).

    Google Scholar 

  12. Jeffery, S., Verheijen, F. G. A., Van der Velde, M. & Bastos, A. C. A quantitative review of the effects of biochar application to soils on crop productivity using meta-analysis. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 144, 175–187 (2017).

    Google Scholar 

  13. Lehmann, J., & Joseph, S. Biochar for environmental management: science, technology and implementation (2nd ed.) Routledge. (2015)

  14. Glaser, B., Lehmann, J. & Zech, W. Ameliorating the nutrient availability in highly weathered soils through charcoal application. Biol. Fertil. Soils 35(4), 219–230 (2002).

    Google Scholar 

  15. Agegnehu, G., Bass, A. M., Nelson, P. N. & Bird, M. I. Benefits of biochar, compost and biochar–compost for soil quality, maize yield and greenhouse gas emissions in tropical agricultural soils. Sci. Total Environ. 543, 295–306. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.11.054 (2016).

    Google Scholar 

  16. Agegnehu, G., Bass, A. M., Nelson, P. N. & Bird, M. I. Benefits of biochar, compost and biochar–compost for soil quality, maize yield and greenhouse gas emissions in a tropical agricultural soil. Sci. Total Environ. 543, 295–306. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.11.054 (2016).

    Google Scholar 

  17. Laird, D. A. et al. Biochar impact on nutrient leaching from a Midwestern agricultural soil. Geoderma 158(3–4), 436–442. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2010.05.012 (2010).

    Google Scholar 

  18. Woolf, D. et al. Sustainable biochar to mitigate global climate change. Nat. Commun. 1, 56. https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms1053 (2010).

    Google Scholar 

  19. Liu, X., Ye, Y. & Ding, W. Biochar’s effect on nutrient leaching and soil fertility in maize systems: a meta-analysis. Field Crops Res. 221, 230–242 (2018).

    Google Scholar 

  20. Sohi, S. P., Krull, E., Lopez-Capel, E. & Bol, R. A review of biochar and its use and function in soil. Adv. Agron. 105, 47–82 (2010).

    Google Scholar 

  21. Adekiya, A. O. et al. Biochar and poultry manure effects on soil properties and radish yield. Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal. 51(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/00103624.2019.1694468 (2020).

    Google Scholar 

  22. Yawson, D. O., Tetteh, F. M. & Frimpong, K. A. Application of organic amendments and fertilizer in the Guinea Savanna: effects on soil fertility and maize yield. Arch. Agron. Soil Sci. 62(11), 1549–1562 (2016).

    Google Scholar 

  23. Yawson, D. O., Tetteh, F. M. & Ofori, C. S. Effects of compost and inorganic fertilizer on maize yield and soil properties in the Guinea Savanna Zone of Ghana. Ghana J. Agric. Sci. 51(1), 45–54 (2016).

    Google Scholar 

  24. Asare-Bediako, E. et al. Effects of organic and inorganic amendments on maize yield in the Guinea Savanna of Ghana. Agron. J. 112(5), 4075–4085 (2020).

    Google Scholar 

  25. Asare-Bediako, E., Kwakye, P. K. & Biney, J. Effect of biochar application on soil chemical properties and maize yield in the semi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana. West Afr. J. Appl. Ecol. 28(1), 28–39 (2020).

    Google Scholar 

  26. Edwards, C. A., Arancon, N. Q. & Sherman, R. Vermiculture Technology: Earthworms, Organic Wastes, and Environmental Management (CRC Press, 2011).

    Google Scholar 

  27. Lazcano, C. & Domínguez, J. The use of vermicompost in sustainable agriculture: Impact on plant growth and soil fertility. In Vermiculture Technology (eds Edwards, C. A. et al.) 401–424 (CRC Press, 2011).

    Google Scholar 

  28. Mensah, A. K., Frimpong, K. A. & Yeboah, S. Combined application of biochar and inorganic fertilizer improves maize yield in the Guinea Savanna. J. Plant Nutr. Soil Sci. 181(6), 871–878 (2018).

    Google Scholar 

  29. Abukari, I., Tetteh, F. M. & Yakubu, I. Biochar application improves maize yield and soil properties in the Guinea Savanna of Ghana. Agric. Food Secur. 8, 12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40066-019-0253-6 (2019).

    Google Scholar 

  30. Fianko, A. K. et al. Integrating organics with mineral fertilizers enhances maize yield in the Guinea Savanna. Soil Tillage Res. 230, 105631 (2023).

    Google Scholar 

  31. Onawumi, O. et al. Integrating biochar and fertilizer for maize production in West Africa: evidence from multi-season field trials. Agronomy 14(1), 155 (2024).

    Google Scholar 

  32. McLean, E. O. Soil pH and lime requirement. In Methods of Soil Analysis: Part 2 (ed. Page, A. L.) 199–224 (ASA, 1982).

    Google Scholar 

  33. Rhoades, J. D. Salinity: electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids. In Methods of Soil Analysis: Part 3, Chemical Methods (ed. Sparks, D. L.) 417–435 (ASA, 1996).

    Google Scholar 

  34. Walkley, A. & Black, I. A. An examination of the Degtjareff method for determining organic carbon in soils. Soil Science 37(1), 29–38 (1934).

    Google Scholar 

  35. Bremner, J. M. & Mulvaney, C. S. Nitrogen–total. In Methods of Soil Analysis: Part 2, Chemical and Microbiological Properties (ed. Page, A. L.) 595–624 (ASA, 1982).

    Google Scholar 

  36. Bray, R. H. & Kurtz, L. T. Determination of total, organic, and available forms of phosphorus in soils. Soil Sci. 59(1), 39–46 (1945).

    Google Scholar 

  37. Knudsen, D., Peterson, G. A. & Pratt, P. F. Lithium, sodium, and potassium. In Methods of Soil Analysis: Part 2 (ed. Page, A. L.) 225–246 (ASA, 1982).

    Google Scholar 

  38. Brady, N. C. & Weil, R. R. The nature and properties of soils 15th edn. (Pearson, 2016).

    Google Scholar 

  39. Chen, J. H., Xu, J. M. & He, P. Soil organic carbon and nitrogen dynamics in degraded tropical soils. Soil Biol. Biochem. 42(2), 233–239 (2010).

    Google Scholar 

  40. Sainju, U. M. et al. Phosphorus thresholds for maize productivity in tropical soils. Nutr. Cycl. Agroecosyst. 100, 125–137 (2014).

    Google Scholar 

  41. Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA). Maize production guide for extension and farmers in ghana. MoFA, Accra. (2010)

  42. Ezike, K. N., Oti, N. N. & Okpara, S. C. Comparative effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on maize performance in Nigeria. J. Agric. Ecol. Res. Int. 7(3), 1–9 (2016).

    Google Scholar 

  43. Rukundo, P. et al. Chlorophyll content and yield components as predictors of maize productivity. Field Crops Res. 265, 108108 (2021).

    Google Scholar 

  44. Zhang, H. et al. Correlation of chlorophyll content and grain yield in maize under different nutrient management practices. Agron. J. 112(3), 1855–1867 (2020).

    Google Scholar 

  45. Lehmann, J. et al. Biochar effects on soil biota – a review. Soil Biol. Biochem. 43(9), 1812–1836 (2011).

    Google Scholar 

  46. Liu, Z. et al. Biochar and nitrogen fertilizer co-application improves maize yield and nitrogen use efficiency. J. Soils Sediments 20, 3027–3039 (2020).

    Google Scholar 

  47. Ye, L. et al. Biochar effects on crop yields with and without fertilizer: a meta-analysis of field studies. Soil Use Manag. 36(1), 2–18 (2020).

    Google Scholar 

  48. Chimdi, A., Yli-Halla, M. & Gebrekidan, H. Soil acidity and liming potential of biochar in acid soils of Ethiopia. Afr. J. Agric. Res. 7(47), 6741–6746 (2012).

    Google Scholar 

  49. Nguyen, T. T. N. et al. Effects of biochar on soil carbon and nutrient dynamics: a global meta-analysis. GCB Bioenergy 14, 25–43 (2022).

    Google Scholar 

  50. Amarasinghe, U. A. et al. Biochar and compost interactions improve soil fertility and crop performance in degraded soils: a review. Environ. Adv. 7, 100159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envadv.2021.100159 (2022).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

No funding was received for this study. Declarations Competing interests T he authors declare no competing interests.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CSIR-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute, P.O. Box TL 52, Tamale, Ghana

    Abdul-Latif Abdul-Aziz, Abdulai Haruna & Alhassan Yamyolya Baako

Authors

  1. Abdul-Latif Abdul-Aziz
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Abdulai Haruna
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Alhassan Yamyolya Baako
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

All authors reviewed and approved the final manuscript. **ALAA** conceived and designed the study, conducted the investigation, and prepared the original manuscript draft. **ALAA, AH, and AYB** contributed to methodology refinement, supervised data collection and analysis, and participated in manuscript review and editing.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to
Abdul-Latif Abdul-Aziz.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Consent for publication

All authors have granted their permission for publication.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, which permits any non-commercial use, sharing, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if you modified the licensed material. You do not have permission under this licence to share adapted material derived from this article or parts of it. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Abdul-Aziz, AL., Haruna, A. & Baako, A.Y. Integrating biochar, compost, and chemical fertilizer improves maize yield and soil health in the guinea savannah: evidence from two cropping seasons in Northern Ghana.
Sci Rep (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-31886-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-31886-2

Keywords

  • Biochar
  • Compost
  • Guinea savanna
  • Integrated nutrient management
  • Maize productivity
  • Soil chemical properties

Source: Ecology - nature.com

Assessment of soybean cultivars’responses to diverse climatic conditions in Northern Poland in terms of yield and seed composition

Optimizing crop clustering to minimize pathogen invasion in agriculture

This portal is not a newspaper as it is updated without periodicity. It cannot be considered an editorial product pursuant to law n. 62 of 7.03.2001. The author of the portal is not responsible for the content of comments to posts, the content of the linked sites. Some texts or images included in this portal are taken from the internet and, therefore, considered to be in the public domain; if their publication is violated, the copyright will be promptly communicated via e-mail. They will be immediately removed.

Back to Top
Close