Publication: Effects of kakawate (Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth ex Walp.) biochar and oyster lime soil amendments on the early growth of banana var. lakatan (Musa acuminata Colla) plants under acidic soils
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Date
2025-05
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Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University- North La Union Campus
Abstract
Acidic soils limit banana (Musa acuminata Colla) production by reducing nutrient availability and
degrading soil structure, leading to poor growth and survival of tissue cultured banana var. Lakatan. Organic soil amendments like Kakawate biochar and Oyster lime have potential to improve acidic soil conditions, but their specific effects under nursery conditions remain underexplored. This study evaluated the effects of Kakawate biochar and Oyster lime on the growth and survival of tissue-cultured banana var. Lakatan in acidic soils under nursery conditions.
A Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications and five treatments was employed: T₀ – acidic garden soil (100%), T₁ – acidic garden soil (100%) + complete fertilizer, T₂ – acidic garden soil (50%) + Kakawate biochar (50%), T₃ – acidic garden soil (50%) + Oyster lime (50%), and T₄ – acidic garden soil (50%) + Kakawate biochar (25%) + Oyster lime (25%).
Results showed beneficial increase of soil pH and organic matter, and optimum exchangeable magnesium in amended acidic soils. Kakawate biochar significantly enhanced plant height, pseudostem diameter, number of leaves, leaf length, leaf area, number of roots, root and shoot fresh weight, and root dry weight. The highest survival rate was observed in plants treated with Kakawate biochar. Positive correlations among growth parameters indicated consistent plant responses under improved soil conditions.
These findings demonstrate that Kakawate biochar is an effective, sustainable amendment for improving the early growth and survival of banana var. Lakatan in acidic soils under nursery conditions.
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Bambao, J.L., Gapasin, R.B. (2025). Effects of kakawate (Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth ex Walp.) biochar and oyster lime soil amendments on the early growth of banana var. lakatan (Musa acuminata Colla) plants under acidic soils[Unpublished Undergraduate Thesis, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University- North La Union Campus, Bacnotan, La Union].