Influences of Cocoa Pod Husk, Cocoa Pod Husk Biochar and Npk Fertilizer on Soil Properties and Growth Performance of Plantain (musa Paradisiacal L) in Ile-oluji, Ondo State, Nigeria

Field experiment was carried out during 2018 cropping season at Ile-Oluji in the rain forest zone of Nigeria to study the effects of cocoa pod husk (CPH), cocoa pod husk biochar (CPHB) and NPK fertilizer (NPKF) on soil properties and growth performance of plantain (Musa paradisiacal L). The trial involved the application of cocoa pod husk (CPH), cocoa pod husk biochar (CPHB) at 5, 10, 15 and 20 t ha-1 and 300 kg ha-1 NPK fertilizer (NPKF), Soil physical properties and growth parameters of plantain were evaluated. The amendments improved soil porosity, bulk density, pH and OM relative to the control. The result also revealed that growth components of plantain treated with 20 t ha-1 CPH and CPHB were similar to the plants treated with 300 kg ha-1 . NPKF and they were significantly higher than those of the control. Number of leaves, leaf area, Pseudostem height and girth increased with increased rate of amendments relative to the control, 300 kg ha-1 NPKF, 5, 10, 15 and 20 t ha-1 CPH and CPHB improved soil physical condition. Cocoa pod husk biochar at 20 t ha-1 is recommended for the production of Plantain as substitute for an expensive and scarce NPK fertilizer in the study area.