Benefits of Biochars and NPK Fertilizers for Soil Quality and Growth of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) in an Acid Arenosol

• Published in: Pedosphere Vol. 29; no. 3; pp. 311 - 333
• Main Authors: RAFAEL, Rogério Borguete Alves, FERNÁNDEZ-MARCOS, Maria Luisa, COCCO, Stefania, RUELLO, Maria Letizia, FORNASIER, Flavio, CORTI, Giuseppe
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Beijing Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2019; Elsevier Science Ltd; Department of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona 60131 Italy%Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo 27002 Spain; Department of Rural Engineering, Faculty of Agronomy and Forestry Engineering, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo 257 Mozambique; Instituto de Biodiversidade Agraria e Desenvolvimento Rural, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo 27002 Spain%Department of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona 60131 Italy%Department of Materials, Environmental Sciences and Urban Planning, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona 60131 Italy%Centro di Ricerca Viticoltura ed Enologia, Gorizia 34170 Italy
• Subjects: acid soil; Acidic soils; Acids; Branches; Cation exchange; Cation exchanging; Charcoal; Compound fertilizers; Corn; Cowpeas; Dosage; Enzymatic activity; Fertilization; Fertilizer application; Fertilizers; Food production; Leaching; Nitrogen; nutrient use efficiency; Nutrients; Optimization; organic amendment; Organic chemistry; Phosphorus; Phosphorus pentoxide; Plant growth; Potassium; potential enzyme activity; Production costs; Sandy soils; Sediment yield; Soil chemistry; Soil fertility; Soil improvement; Soil investigations; Soil pH; Soil properties; Soil quality; Urea; Vigna unguiculata; Weight; plant growth; soil pH; nutrient use efficiency; organic amendment; acid soil; soil fertility; potential enzyme activity

Fertilization is required for optimum plant growth, particularly in unfertile soils, while optimizing nutrient use efficiency is an alternative to reduce inorganic fertilizer needs and reduce environmental problems caused by nutrient leaching. This study investigated soil properties and cowpea yield...