Abstract

IGLESIAS ABAD, Sergio; ALEGRE ORIHUELA, Julio; SALAS MACIAS, Carlos  and  EGUEZ MORENO, José. Corn yield (Zea mays L.) improves with the use of eucalyptus biochar. Scientia Agropecuaria [online]. 2018, vol.9, n.1, pp.25-32. ISSN 2077-9917.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17268/sci.agropecu.2018.01.03.

Inadequate use of the integrate systems of Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) with maize (Zea mays L.) crops in the southern region of Ecuador is generating pollution and waste of alternatives of organic fertilization. The objective of the research was to take advantage of the eucalyptus´s residual biomass, which are transformed into biochar in order to use it in the sowing of the maize to promote an increase in yields. Field cultivation was carried out in coordination with the National Institute of Agriculture Research of Ecuador (INIAP). Two types of pyrolysis were used for the preparation of the biochar and two classes of biomass, including a control sample without bio charcoal and using a fertilization treatment. The experimental design used was random complete blocks. The seed used was the variety "INIAP 103 Mishqui sara". The yield variables evaluated were: grain weight in dry matter, leaf area index, biomass dry weight, content (N-P-K) and protein in grain. Under the ecosystem conditions of the study the maize presented a tendency of yield and grain protein increases and other growth phenological characteristics and it is expected that the biochar will have residual effects in the medium and long term for subsequent crops

Keywords : biomass; eucalyptus charcoal; leaf area index; grain protein.

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