Effect of Biochar on Dwarf Green Coconut Orchard Yield and Irrigation Water Productivity

ABSTRACT

The high irrigation water demand of coconut trees in semiarid regions makes rational use crucial for crop sustainability. Additionally, it produces residues that could improve the soil water holding capacity. This research aimed to evaluate the application of coconut shell biochar to an irrigated dwarf green coconut palm orchard. The study was carried out from January 2019 to December 2021 at Campo Experimental do Curu, Paraipaba, Brazil, belonging to Embrapa Agroindústria Tropical. The experiment consisted of a completely randomized design with five treatments and four replications and included the application of 0, 5, 10, 20, or 40 g of biochar per kg of soil, equivalent to 0.0 kg, 0.5 kg, 1.0 kg, 2.0 kg or 4.0 kg of biochar per plant, respectively. The following biometric variables were evaluated: number of leaves per plant (NL), plant height (PH), number of leaflets per leaf (LFT), canopy diameter (CD) and fruit production: number of bunches per plant (NB), number of fruits per plant (NF), volume of coconut water per fruit (CWF) and total soluble solids (TSS) (°Brix), as well as the daily soil moisture average. The results showed beneficial effects on the number of leaves per plant, fruits per plant, soil moisture and irrigation water productivity in terms of liters per fruit, liters per coconut water and fruits per cubic meter (m³) applied with ideal biochar doses estimated to be 1.40 kg, 1.72 kg, 1.79 kg, 1.56 kg, 1.48 and 1.68 kg of biochar per plant, respectively.

KEYWORDS:

• Adaptation
• climate change
• irrigation
• soil conditioner
• water retention

Acknowledgements

To Embrapa Agroindústria Tropical, where the research was developed, to the Graduate Program in Agricultural Engineering - PPGEA/UFC, to the Coordination Foundation for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) for the opportunity given, and the Attorney General’s Office (AGU), through the Federal Attorney’s Office in Ceará, the requesting body that allowed me to stay in Fortaleza, the host city of the Postgraduate Program.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).