Coconut Shell Biochar as a Sustainable Amendment for Soil Quality and Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Plant Growth

Growing concerns about environment sustainability and food security have encouraged the adoption of sustainable soil amendments that enhances soil quality and improve crop growth. This study assessed the effect of coconut shell waste derived biochar as a sustainable soil management strategy to improve tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L.) growth while supporting agricultural resource utilisation. Following controlled slow pyrolysis of coconut shell waste, the resulting biochar was comprehensively characterised to assess its physiochemical properties, such as surface morphology, porosity, pH, and nutrient availability. The experiment was designed and set up as a randomised complete block design with 3 replicates per treatment. Tomato plants were cultivated under greenhouse conditions for 120 days and subjected to four biochar application rates 0%, 2%, 4% and 6%, designated as T1 (control), T2, T3 and T4, respectively. The coconut shell-derived biochar (CSB) exhibited a mildly alkaline nature (pH 7,23), whereas the experimental soil was moderately acidic (pH 6.16). The ANOVA (Analysis of variance) indicated that biochar application significantly influenced soil quality and tomato plant growth, indicating its potential for sustainable crop production. Consequently, tomato plants exhibited better growth, stronger root development, and higher fruit yield and quality than those grown in untreated soil, highlighting the potential of biochar to better crop yield and soil management.