Soil Enrichment Using Biochar from Mahogany Fruit Shells: Effects on Monggo Plant Growth and Soil Properties

AUTHOR(S)

SHENAH MAE J. CUEVAS ELLOISE JULIA A. NECESARIO ISABELLE A. CLARK ANYA NATALIE SAGANG CHRISS AINDREA C. MIRANDA

ABSTRACT

— Soil is crucial not only to specific ecosystems but also for global functions that are essential to support life on Earth. However, this is threatened due to soil deterioration. Therefore, the need to address this issue requires new solutions from renewable resources. This study aspired to produce Biochar using organic waste material, mahogany fruit shells, through enrichment with compost tea. Five (5) samples were tested on each treatment: alternative biochar, commercial biochar, and untreated soil, and subjected to the following parameters: stem height, number of leaves, root length, number of secondary roots, number of tertiary roots, NPK content, and pH level of soil. Experimental results revealed that the commercial group resulted in taller monggo plants compared to the other groups due to their high potassium content. In contrast, the alternative group sprouted more leaves owing to its high phosphorus content. Longer roots were observed in the commercial group with more neutral pH level. Moreover, the number of tertiary roots in the commercial group was greater, due to the nutrients in the soil. Additionally, with regard to NPK Content, although the soil’s nitrogen content was the same in all three treatments, the levels of Phosphorus were found greater in the alternative group, while the commercial group showed the highest level of potassium content. In terms of soil pH, the alternative group has the highest level. The study suggests that the alternative biochar from mahogany fruit shells enhances soil properties, supporting plant growth. Keywords — biochar, mahogany fruit shell, soil fertility, stem height, leaves, root length, secondary roots, tertiary roots, NPK content, pH level of soil