Effects of Plantain Peel Biochar on the General Growth Characteristics of Selected Vegetables in Effurun, Okpe Local Government Area, Delta State, Nigeria

The study examined the effects of plantain peel biochar on the general growth characteristics of selected vegetables in Effurun, Okpe Local Government Area, Delta State, Nigeria. Complete Randomized Design (CRD) was adopted for this research. Plantain peels were sourced from food vendors around Warri metropolis. Over 385kg of plantain peels was used for this study, a very huge amount of waste that has been repurposed to value and ensured towards a cleaner environment. These peels served as the primary material (organic waste) for this study. Pots used were of 6kg capacity and uniform in size and shape. Produced plantain peel biochar was applied in ranges of 250g, 125g, 62.5g and control. The experimental size was 3 replicates of each vegetable which gave a total of 48 pots. The vegetables of choice planted included Telfair occidentalis; Amaranthus spy, Talinum triangular, and Vernonia amygdalina. Descriptive statistics were used for the data analysis. Findings revealed that the presence of Nitrogen in biochar as against soil is 1.162mg/kg to 0.123mg/kg. The soil has a nitrate value of 43.44mg/kg as against biochar with 103.10mg/kg. The value of phosphate in the soil is 18.48mg/kg, while that of the biochar is 30.51mg/kg. This difference shows the abundance of phosphorus that will be available for crop use even over time. The pH of the soil was 7.10, while the biochar recorded value of 8.50. Furthermore, the value of Iron (Fe) and Arsenic in soil was 700.00mg/kg and ≤ 0.01mg/kg. Biochar recorded values of 1223mg/kg and ≤ 0.01mg/kg of Iron (Fe) to Arsenic. The value of Arsenic is still below acceptable limits of 2mg/kg according to FAO and WHO. The maximum level of iron (Fe) taken up by plants is 386.20mg/kg, which is still below acceptable limits of 425.5mg/kg by FAO and WHO.  It is concluded that vegetables treated with plantain peel biochar exhibited increased shoot height, leaf area and good root development compared to control groups. It is thus recommended among others that the long-term impacts of plantain peel biochar on soil health and crop productivity needs further investigation and also, future research should focus on optimizing pyrolysis conditions, understanding the mechanisms of nutrient release and evaluating the economic feasibility of large-scale plantain peel biochar production and application.