Effects of biochar produced from different feedstocks and organic fertilizers on soil properties and maize (Zea mays L.) production in the northern part of Rwanda

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, P.O. Box: 138, 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, Lisbon,Portugal

Publication Date (Issue Year)

2026

Journal Name

Discover Agriculture

Abstract

This study applied biochar derived from different local feedstocks and organic fertilizers (OF) on contrasting acidic soils, Andosol and Nitisol, in order to investigate their effects on selected soil properties and maize growth and yield parameters. A split plot design was employed, with treatments being factorial combinations of OF (control without OF (OF0), cow manure (OF1), chicken manure (OF2), and compost (OF3)) as a main plot factor and biochar (no biochar applied (B0), maize straw biochar (B1), eucalyptus biochar (B2), pinus biochar (B3)) as a sub-plot factor. An amelioration in soil properties was observed in treated plots compared to the control, with a general increase in soil pH, organic carbon, total N, available P, K⁺, Ca²⁺, cation exchange capacity and porosity, and a decrease in Na⁺, Al³⁺ and H⁺, and bulk density. With both soils, biochar - OF combination resulted in better increase of the growth and yields of maize compared to the isolate use of biochar and OF. The highest maize yield (17.14% and 60.17% increase on Andosol and Nitisol, respectively) and above ground biomass (AGB) were achieved with OF2 + B2 treatment. Interactive effects of biochar and OF were significant with both soils, for K⁺, stem girth, AGB and maize grain yield, emphasising a synergistic effect in the integrated use of biochar and OF. Thus, using biochar-OF combination, especially OF2 + B2, could be a good practice to be recommended for farmers in order to amend the Andosol and Nitisol and enhance maize production in the northern Rwanda.

Keywords

biochar, feedstocks, organic fertilizers, soil properties, maize (Zea mays L.), northern part of Rwanda

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 produced from different feedstocks and organic fertilizers on soil properties and maize (Zea mays L.) production in the northern part of Rwanda. Discover Agriculture https://doi.org/10.1007/s44279-026-00694-1