Effect of organic amendment (Biochar and compost) on growth and yields of two varieties of rice (Oryza sativa) in Ngaoundere-Cameroon

Objective of these study was to improve the production of two rice (Oryza sativa) varieties in the Adamawa area in order to determine the influence of biochar and compost on its growth and yield.Study was carried out in Dang, precisely within Campus of University of Ngaoundere. The experimental design was a split-plot (6x2x3), the main factor is type of fertilizers, applied on two varieties of Rice which represent the second factors Plants parameters considered are: Tillage and height of plants taken at 60th and 90th days after sowing (DAS) during growing stages and at 90th DAS for the number of ramification and size of plants. Yields of plants (Panicles number per plants, number of seeds per panicles and weighting of 100 seeds per units) were determined. Ours results of this study showed that organic amendment significantly (P<0.05) improves the growth parameters of plant Rice at 60th and 90th days after sowing, when it’s applied alone or with association with a certain doses of mineral fertilizers, compared to control treatment. The variety Jarra better responses to amendment with biochar and compost for these parameters. The contribution of biochar and compost, combined with chemical fertilizers significant (P<0.05) increased yields to 6.16 t/ha, 4.03 t/ha, respectively for the mixture compost+chemical fertilizers, biochar+chemical fertilizers for variety NL28. For the variety Jarra, we recorded an increase of 3.96 t/ha and 4.53t/ha, respectively for the mixture of biochar+chemical fertilizers and compost+chemical fertilizers in comparison to non-amended plots control. Biochar and compost alone were increased yields of 1.21t/ha; 2.86t/ha, respectively for variety NL28 and 1.3t/ha; 3.83t/ha, for the variety Jarra compared to negative control. The variety NL28 better responses to yields parameters. Our results suggest that the organic amendment combined with certain dose of chemical fertilizers is suitable for the product of both varieties studied. Variety Jarra responses well on growing parameters contrary to the variety NL28 which give good yields per cobs. However, compost treatment improves well compared to biochar. The benefits of these treatments it’s appreciable and contribute to protect environment, Rice plants and ameliorate yields of plants.