Effects of Biochar and Poultry Manure on the Composition of Phosphorus Solubilizing Fungi and Soil Available Phosphorus Concentration in an Oxisol

Abstract

Introduction: The use of biochar to restore soil fertility is still in the exploratory stages in Ghana and there is paucity of information regarding the effect of biochar on soil biochemical properties. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of biochar solely applied or in combination with poultry manure on the composition of soil phosphorus solubilizing fungi, available P concentration and selected properties of Oxisol in Ghana. Methods: Cocoa husk biochar (CHB), prepared using Lucia biomass pyrolytic stove at a temperature of 400°C was applied solely at 0, 39 and 65 t ha-1 and in combination with 10 t ha-1, poultry manure, to the soil. Treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design with three replications. Results: The population of phosphorus solubilizing fungi increased in amended soils significantly (P = .05) above that of the control. The increases in fungal biomass followed; control < biochar < biochar + poultry manure. Aspergillus, Fusarium and Penicillium were dominant genera with few of the microbes in the genera Colletotrichum. The increase in phosphorus solubilizing fungi correlated positively (r = 0.96, P = .05) with increase in available phosphorus. Then again, biochar solely applied or in combination with poultry manure significantly (P = .05) increased pH, total organic carbon and cation exchange capacity. Mineral N however significantly (P = .05) increased only in combined biochar and poultry manure treatments. Conclusion: Biochar solely applied or in combination with poultry manure enhanced phosphorus solubilizing fungal biomass and availability of phosphorus in the soil with combined poultry manure and biochar having the highest influence.