Cocoa pod biochar improves yield performance of brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) in a controlled pot experiment

Abstract

Importance of the work: Assessment of the impact of underutilized cocoa pod biochar
on brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) yield in soil addresses both waste valorization and
productivity gaps.
Objectives: To evaluate the effects of cocoa pod biochar on the morphological traits and yield
performance of brinjal cultivated in soil.
Materials and Methods: Brinjal plants were grown in polybags filled with soil amended with
cocoa pod biochar at different rates in six treatments: 0 g (T0, the control); 20 g (T1); 40 g
(T2); 60 g (T3); 80 g (T4); and 100 g (T5) per polybag. A randomized complete block design
was used with five replications. The measured parameters were: plant height, leaf number,
SPAD value, root and shoot biomass, fruit count, fruit weight and total yield. Results were
reported as mean ± SD values.
Results: Only leaf number showed a significant (p < 0.01) morphological response to
biochar, with the highest value (46.4 ± 5.13 leaves) in T3 (60 g). Yield attributes were
highly significantly (p < 0.001) affected. Treatment T2 (40 g) recorded the highest yield
(3576.2 ± 640.09 g per plant) and the highest fruit count (19.4 ± 3.85). The control
produced the lowest yield and fruit number (633.1 ± 540.93 g and 6.0 ± 4.70, respectively).
These findings highlighted the positive impact of moderate biochar application on brinjal yield
performance.
Main finding: Cocoa pod biochar at 40 g per plant or 60 g per plant improved brinjal yield
and growth in soil, demonstrating its effectiveness as a sustainable amendment. This finding
supports waste valorization and advances soil cultivation practices for enhanced brinjal
productivity.