Effects of biochar and its combination with poultry manure on nitrogen use efficiency, growth, and yield of maize under different nitrogen fertilization levels

Publication Type

Journal Article

Name of Author

• Charles Lwanga Twagiramungu, Africa Centre of Excellence for Climate Smart Agriculture and Biodiversity Conservation, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, EthiopiaFollow
• Bobe Bedadi, Africa Centre of Excellence for Climate Smart Agriculture and Biodiversity Conservation, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
• Claver Ngaboyisonga, Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), Huye, Rwanda
• Concorde Nsengumuremyi, Rwanda Forestry Authority (RFA), Huye, Rwanda
• David Fangueiro, LEAF, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal

Publication Date (Issue Year)

2026

Journal Name

Discover Soil

Abstract

The effects of biochar, its combination with poultry manure with different nitrogen (N) levels on maize production on the Andosol and Nitisol was studied. Treatments were factorial combinations of three organic amendments (OA) (biochar - B, poultry manure - PM and B co-composted with PM - BPM) as main-plot factor and four N levels (0, 50, 75 and 100 kg N/ha) as sub-plot factor, laid out as split-plot design and replicated thrice at two sites: Kinigi with Andosol and Rwerere with Nitisol. At both sites, there was general increase in maize total N uptake, aboveground biomass (AGB) and grain yield in response to increase in N level. A multifactorial analysis showed significant (p ≤ 0.001) differences between Kinigi and Rwerere for nearly all measured parameters, with BPM at 100 kg N/ha having better performance on maize total N uptake, AGB and grain yield for Rwerere as compared to Kinigi. Significant Site*OA*N levels interaction effect was observed for grain N uptake (p ≤ 0.01), total N uptake (p ≤ 0.001), agronomic efficiency (p <  0.05) and grain yield (p ≤ 0.001), and highest grain yields were attained at 100 kg N/ha, with PM for Kinigi and BPM for Rwerere. Significant OA*N levels interaction effect was observed for apparent nitrogen recovery efficiency (ANRE) (p <  0.05) and grain yield (p ≤ 0.01), highlighting synergistic effects of OA and N levels on maize ANRE and grain yield. Overall, the integration of PM (10 t/ha) and 100 kg N/ha is suitable for Kinigi, while the integration of BPM (10 t/ha) and 100 kg N/ha is good for Rwerere.

Keywords

biochar, poultry manure, nitrogen, growth, yield of maize, nitrogen fertilization levels

Rsif Scholar Name

Charles Lwanga TWAGIRAMUNGU

Rsif Scholar Nationality

Rwanda

Cohort

Cohort 4

Thematic Area

Climate Change

Africa Host University (AHU)

Haramaya University, Ethiopia

Funding Statement

This study was funded by the Partnership for Applied Sciences, Engineering, and Technology (PASET) - Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF).

Recommended Citation

Twagiramungu, C., Bedadi, B., Ngaboyisonga, C., Nsengumuremyi, C., & Fangueiro, D. (2026). Effects of biochar and its combination with poultry manure on nitrogen use efficiency, growth, and yield of maize under different nitrogen fertilization levels. Discover Soil https://doi.org/10.1007/s44378-026-00255-4