Biochar technology to increase cassava crop productivity: A study of sustainable agriculture on degraded land

The aim of this study is to improve soil fertility in
cassava, corn, and peanut plants by using biochar tech�nology on degraded land. This research is experimental.
This trial used five treatments, No organic amendments,
farm yard manure (FYM) 20 Mg ha−1 once, FYM 20 Mg ha−1
yearly, FYM biochar technology 15 Mg ha−1 once, and cas�sava stem (CS) biochar technology 15 Mg ha−1 once. The
design used in this study was a randomized group design
(RAK) with three repeats. Before the experiment, the char�acteristics of treatment material, namely, the manure, bio�char, and CS waste biochar were studied. It was observed
that cassava, corn, and peanut crops increased nutrient C,
water availability, N, P, K, and cation exchange capacity
(CEC). From the observations, the treatment of using bio�char technology on intercropping cassava and corn can
increase C by 25.7 g kg−1
, K by 177 cmol, CEC by 17.63 cmol
, and water availability by16.87%. Meanwhile, the applica�tion treatment of biochar FYM technology on cassava and
peanut intercropping can increase C by 24.4 g kg−1
, N by
1.3 g kg−1
, P by 12.2 g kg−1
, K by 1.74 cmol, CEC by 17.93 cmol,
and water availability by 17.41%. The use of biochar tech�nology (15 Mg ha)−1 in intercropping cassava with maize or
groundnut within 2 years can improve soil fertility and
maintain yields. Intercropping cassava with corn or peanuts
within 2 years can increase soil fertility and maintain crop
yields. Thus, biochar technology has greater potential for the
improvement of degraded land in the relatively short term
(2 years) and supports sustainable agriculture.