Abstract:
A field experiment was done to study the residual effect of biochar application on the growth and yield of red chili (Capsicum annum L.). The experiment was done at Wringinrejo Village, Blitar Regency of Indonesia. The biochar treatment was applied to cassava crops from 2009 until 2013. The subsequent soil then was used for chili planting in 2013 with the treatment of: (i) Biochar residue (with and without biochar), and (ii) fertilizer application (No fertilizer, Nitrogen, Farm Yard Manure (FYM), and combination of N+FYM). These treatments were arranged in a split plot design with biochar residue as the main factor, and fertilizer application as the sub factor; with 4 replications. The collected data were: (i) the growth and yield of chili, (ii) yield component, and (iii) soil quality. The results show that after4 year of application, biochar still had a significant effect on the growth and yield of red chili. In general, chili planted on plot that given biochar before, tend to be higher with more branches compared to the chili planted on non-biochar applied plot. Thus it can be concluded residual effect of biochar significantly influenced the growth and yield of red chili. Application of nitrogen fertilizer and farm yard manure increase the chili yield, both on non-biochar, and applied biochar plot. The highest fruit yield (14.6 t.ha-1) was obtained by chili planted on biochar-treated plot applied with nitrogen and Farm yard manure.
