biochar preparation and effect of biochars on corn growth, yield , nutrient uptake and soil...

Biochar Preparation and Effect of Biochars on Corn Growth, Yield,

Nutrient Uptake and Soil Sustainability

Dr P. C. Patel and

Shri Naresh Yadav

The biochar can be prepared from locally available biomass samples. Develop a small scale low cost biochar process plant so that initially resource poor farmers can be prepared biochar at their farm level on small scale. The farmers can improve their course texture poor soils using biochar.

Biochar is sterile, odorless, high carbon solid that can be produced from a variety of organic feedstock. Biochar has a much low bulk density (BD) (< 0.3 Mg m-3); therefore, application of biochar can reduce the overall total BD of the soil which is desirable for most plant growth and increased WHC. Nutrient availability can be affected by increasing CEC, altering soil pH, or direct nutrient contributions from biochar. The soil fertility of course texture is poor, so biochar application improved soil fertility of sandy loam soils, especially soil O.C., CEC, available P, exchangeable K, Ca, Mg and increased nutrient uptake resulted in increased in crop yield.

Background HistoryThe scientists and farmers of Gujarat are not aware to

use biochar/charcoal for soil amendment to increase soil fertility. I have prepared first time biochar from agriculture waste materials using one/two kiln method during 2010-11 at Sansoli in Kheda, Gujarat. I have conducted trial on corn (maize) at farmers’ field in 2010 and found promising results. Therefore, I have planned to give P.G. research problem to student Shri Naresh Yadav to study the effect of biochar on corn in 2011. One year field research results indicated that soil application of biochar significantly increasing grain as well as dry matter yield of corn. Biochar can be prepared from low value agronomic by products for quality biochar production viz., corn stover, cluster bean stover, shun Hemp stover etc

Sustainable biochar is produced from waste biomass using modern thermo-chemcial technologies. Addition of sustainable biochar to soil has many environmental and agricultural benefits, including waste reduction, energy production, carbon sequestration, water resource protection, and soil improvement. Therefore, the use of sustainable biochar as a soil amendment is an innovative and highly promising practice for sustainable agriculture.The properties of various biochars were characterized. A field experiment was conducted to find out the efficacy of different biochar and effect on soil fertility. This study conducted with two biochars produced from agricultural wastes materials and one from Prosopis juliflora wood biochar. as a soil amendment in poor sandy loam soils of Kheda district of Gujarat state.

SUSTAINABLE BIOCHAR

SUSTAINABLE BIOCHAR

Addition of these biochars in soils can retain nutrients in soil, prevent their runoff or leaching, and thereby retain them so they are available to plants. A field trial was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Anand Agricultural University, Sansoli and one at farmers’ field to demonstrate that using biochar as a soil amendment can improve soil quality and increase crop yields. A synergetic effect was observed when the use of biochar was combined with the chemical fertilizer. Soil application of biochar along with the fertilizer can increase the corn growth, dry matter and crude protein yields. It increases the fertilizer use efficiency. To the best of our knowledge, represents the first field experiment on the use of biochar as a soil amendment in poor sandy loam soils of Kheda district of Gujarat state.

Sustainable agriculture in sandy soil generally faces large constraints due to low water holding and nutrient retention capacity, and accelerated mineralization of soil organic matter. Recent studies have shown that biochar can increase water holding capacity (WHC) and nutrient retention in sandy loam soils. In this study, the effect of biochar on sandy loam soil on WHC and nutrient retention were studied. Biochar amendment improved WHC and nutrient retention. It was found that biochar produced at 250-400°C exhibited the highest impact. This study highlights the importance of pyrolysis temperature and rate of biochar on its effect on sandy loam soil on WHC and nutrient retention and hence, the amendment value of biochar in the sandy loam soil.

WATER HOLDING CAPACITY

Restoration of Feedstock Nutrients

in Pyrolysis Biochars

Simple Method of Biochar Preparation from Corn stover and Cluster bean

stover using two kilns

Settling of organic residues Thermal decomposition

Thermal decomposition Absence of oxygen & temp. 250-400 0C

Pyrolysis process

Liberation of gases (CH4,CO2,CO) Final product- Corn Biochar

WHY NEED TO STUDY ? Keeping in view the importance of FYM, biochar and integrated nutrient management, the present study was therefore conducted to compare the levels of chemical fertilizer with FYM and Biochar and investigate best possible combinations of organic and inorganic fertilizers on growth, dry matter yield and nutrition of corn.

1. Corn (maize) is an exhaustive and vigorously growing cereal crop. It is a multipurpose crop that provides food for humans, feed for animals and raw material for the industries.

2. The food production is now static or reduced by soil erosion, decline in soil OC, conventional tillage operations and ever increasing prices of chemical fertilizers.

3. The need to increase the crop yield, reduction in cost of production and maintain the soil health at the same time has become a challenge for agricultural scientists to ensure a sustainable agriculture.

1.Incorporation of organic material (FYM, Biochar, Kitchen waste and Crop residues).

2.Integrated nutrient management.3.Sole use of FYM and/or in combination with

chemical fertilizers can be efficiently utilized for nutrient supplementation.

4.There is urgent need to intensify agricultural production to secure food supply for ever increasing population especially in developing country like India.

Several options to overcomechallenges

EXPERIMENT DETAILS

DESIGN:

RANDOMIZED BLOCK DESIGN

Experimental Design

Combination of A and B

(A) Fertility levels-21. Control (AC)2. Recommended Dose

of fertilizer (RDF) N:P2O5:K2O:80:40:0 kg/ha

(B) Level of Biochars-81. 5 tonnes biochar of cluster

bean stover (CB5)2. 5 tonnes biochar of corn

stover (MS5)3. 5 tonnes biochar of ra wood

(PJ5) 4. 10 tonnes biochar of

cluster bean stover (CB10)5. 10 tonnes biochar of corn

stover (MS10)6. 10 tonnes biochar of

cluster bean stover (CB10)7. 5 tonnes Farmyard Manure

(FYM5)8. 10 tonnes Farmyard

Manure (FYM10)

Treatments:16

Why Nutrient Conservation?

Give bio-char a value in fertilizer terms

Improve soil conditions and crop production

Sustainable conversion platform

Application of Corn Stover Biochar @ 5 MT/Ha (MS) along with Recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) indicated more plant growth as compared to alone soil application of corn stover Biochar @ 10 MT/Ha (MS) at 30 days after sowing.

EXPERIMENTAL SITE AT SANSOLI

Fig. 1 Effect of biochar on plant height of corn crop at 30 DAS

Sr. No.Unferilized

Treatment

Plant height

(cm)Sr. No.

Fertilized

treatment

Plant height

(cm)

1 AC+MS 5 28.22 9 RDF+MS5 56.11

2 AC+MS 10 32.89 10 RDF+MS10 67.43

3 AC+CB 5 31.04 11 RDF+CB 5 62.67

4 AC+CB10 32.56 12 RDF+CB10 65.78

5 AC+PJ 5 28.78 13 RDF+PJ 5 47.78

6 AC+PJ10 29.67 14 RDF+PJ10 60.44

7 AC+FYM 5 29.44 15 RDF+FYM 5 52.67

8 AC+FYM10 29.89 16 RDF+FYM10 63.67

CD (0.05) 8.79

Soil application of Corn stover biochar, cluster bean stover biochar and Prosopis juliflora wood biochar (except 5 MT/ha) and farmyard (except 5 MT/Ha) @ 5 or 10 MT /ha along with recommended dose of fertilizer recorded double plant height of corn crop at 30 DAS than similar rate of biochars without recommended dose of fertilizer.

Fig. 2 Effect of biochar on corn plant height at 60 DAS

Soil application of Corn stover biochar, Cluster bean stover biochar and Prosopis juliflora wood biochar and Farmyard manure @ 5 or 10 MT /ha along with recommended dose of fertilizer increased 3 times higher plant height of corn crop at 60 DAS than similar rate of biochars without recommended dose of fertilizer.

Sr. No.Unferilized Treatment

Plant height (cm)

Sr. No.Fertilized

treatmentPlant height

(cm)

1 AC+MS 5 41.22 9 RDF+MS5 129.782 AC+MS 10 47.44 10 RDF+MS10 150.783 AC+CB 5 45.22 11 RDF+CB 5 126.004 AC+CB10 45.67 12 RDF+CB10 145.785 AC+PJ 5 37.44 13 RDF+PJ 5 109.896 AC+PJ10 44.89 14 RDF+PJ10 129.897 AC+FYM 5 41.44 15 RDF+FYM 5 126.118 AC+FYM10 49.89 16 RDF+FYM10 134.11

CD (0.05) 12.00

Fig. 3 Effect of biochar on plant height of corn crop in presence and absent of recommended dose of fertilizer on corn

RDF+MS10 AC+MS10 RDF+CB10 AC+CB100

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160 150.78

47.44

145.78

45.67

Soil application of Corn stover biochar @10 MT /ha along with recommended dose of fertilizer and Cluster bean stover biochar @10 MT /ha along with recommended dose of fertilizer recorded 3.17 and 3.19 times higher corn plant height at 60 DAS as compared to similar type of biochar without chemical fertilizer.

Plant height (cm)

Fig. 4 Effect of biochar on DMY (q/ha) in presence and absent of recommended dose of fertilizer on corn

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

21.2328.89

23.79 24.8319.72 18.46 20.42

30.39

92.89 94.4

84.07 84.88

57.7562.4

68.44

88.94

Treatments

Dry

mat

ter

yiel

d (

q h

a-1

)

Fertilized treatmentUnfertilized treatment

Application of three type of biochars or FYM along with RDF significantly increased DMY by 3 to 4 times as compared to similar type of three biochars or FYM without RDF.

Synergistic Effect of Fertilizer and Biochar or Farmyard Manure to Secure Maximum DMY and CPY of Corn• The significantly the highest DMY of corn (94.4 q ha-1) produced where 10 MT/ha corn stover biochar was applied along with the recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) which was similar with the application of 5 MT/ha corn stover biochar was applied in combination with the RDF (92.89 q ha-1).• The benefits of applying biochar on corn DMY were probably synergistic effect of fertilizer and the biochar (Arif et al.,2012). Incorporation of either biochar or FYM along with RDF showed significantly taller corn plant height than application of alone biochar or FYM at harvesting time (60 DAS) which resulted in increased in DMY of corn.• Soil application of corn stover, cluster bean stover and Prosopis

juliflora wood biochars either applied @ 5 or 10 MT ha-1 in absence of RDF recorded significantly lower DMY as compared to combined soil application of the said biochars along with fertilizer.

• Soil application of RDF+MS10 biochar recorded the highest DMY (94.40 q ha-1) and it produced significantly higher yield than other treatments. However, it was at par with RDF+MS5 (92.89 q ha-1) and RDF+FYM10 (88.94 q ha-1).

• The second effectiveness of biochar was cluster been stover (CB) and RDF+CB10 produced significantly higher DMY (84.88 q ha-1) than others but it was followed with RDF+CB5 (84.07 q ha-1).

• The third in order was Prosopis juliflora wood biochar along with fertilized treatments. The fourth in order was fertilized treatment along with FYM (RDF+FYM5) which gave higher DMY (68.44 q ha-1) but it was at par with RDF+PJ10 (62.40 q ha-1).

• The application of MS, CB and PJ biochar either applied @ 5 or 10 MT ha-1 in absence of fertilized failed to produce higher DMY and these treatments recorded significantly lower DMY than combined application of fertilized with all the type of biochars.

• Application of either biochars or FYM along with RDF significantly increased 3 times higher plant height of corn plant at 60 DAS than application of similar biochar or FYM without RDF which resulted in decreased in DMY of corn.

Dry Matter Yield of Corn Crop

Fig. 5 Effect of biochar on crude protein yield of corn

Soil application of Corn stover biochar, Cluster bean stover biochar and Prosopis juliflora wood biochar and Farmyard manure @ 5 or 10 MT /ha along with RDF increased 2.5 to 3.7 times higher CPY of corn than similar rate of biochar without RDF. The rate of increase in CPY was more in RDF + CB10 and RDF + MS5 treatments.

Unferilized Treatment

Crude protein yield (q/ha)

Fertilized treatment

Crude protein yield (q/ha)

AC+MS 5 2.14 RDF+MS5 7.80AC+MS 10 2.85 RDF+MS10 7.55AC+CB 5 2.15 RDF+CB 5 7.31AC+CB10 1.95 RDF+CB10 7.25AC+PJ 5 1.58 RDF+PJ 5 5.38AC+PJ10 1.92 RDF+PJ10 5.68AC+FYM 5 1.81 RDF+FYM 5 5.86AC+FYM10 3.04 RDF+FYM10 7.78S.E.m.± 0.19CD (0.05) 0.55

CRUDE PROTEIN YIELD OF CORN1. Application of RDF+MS5 recorded significantly

higher CPY (7.80 q ha-1) than other treatments followed by RDF+FYM10, RDF+MS10, RDF+CB5 and RDF+CB10. The fertilized treatments RDF+MS5,

RDF+FYM10, RDF+MS10, RDF+CB5 and RDF+CB10

synthesized 3.64, 2.55, 2.64, 3.4 and 3.71 times higher CPY than unfertilzed treatments AC+FYM10, AC+MS10, AC+CB5and AC+CB10 , respectively.

2. The significantly higher CPY of forage corn obtained by these treatments due to significantly higher DMY produced by said treatments.

3. Biochar is a source of N, P, K, S and micronutrients and fertilized treatments also supply N and P to the corn plants which help in increased significantly DMY of corn plant.

Fig. 6 CORN PLANT GROWTH WITH RECOMMENDED DOSE OF FERTILIZER ALONG WITH BIOCHAR

RDF+MS10 corn plant have 165 cm plant height and produced 94.4 q/ha DMY whereas RDF+ CB10 corn plant have 160 cm plant height and recorded 84.88 q/ha DMY. RDF+MS10 produced 11% higher DMY than RDF+CB10.

RDF+MS10 RDF+CB10

Fig. 7 RDF+MS10 corn plant showed 155 cm plant height and produced DMY of 94.4 q/ha whereas RDF + MS5 corn plant have 140 cm plant height and recorded DMY of 92.89 q/ha.

RDF+MS10 RDF+ MS5

Fig. 8 RDF+CB10 corn plant have 160 cm plant height and produced DMY of 84.88 q/ha whereas AC+ CB10 corn plant have about 45-46 cm plant height and gave only of DMY of 24.83 q/ha.

RDF+CB10 AC+ CB10

Fig 9 Application of Corn Stover Biochar @ 5 MT/Ha along with Recommended dose of Fertilizer (RDF+MS5 MT/Ha) showed taller plant growth than alone soil application of Corrn Stover Biochar @ 10 MT/Ha (AC+MS10 MT/Ha) at 60 DAS. RDF+MS5 MT/Ha produced 3.21 times higher DMY (92.89 q/Ha) than AC+MS10 MT/Ha (28.89 q/ha).

RDF+ MS5 MT/Ha AC+10 MT/Ha

hp

Fig 10 Application of Cluster bean stover Biochar @ 10 MT/Ha along with recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF+CB10 MT/Ha) showed higher plant growth than alone soil application of corn stover Biochar @ 5 MT/Ha (AC+MS 5 MT/Ha). RDF + CB10 MT/Ha recorded (84.88 q/ha) 4 times higher DMY than AC + MS 5 MT/Ha (21.23 q/Ha).

Cluster bean stover biochar

Corn stover biochar

Fig 11 Application of Cluster bean stover Biochar @ 5 MT/Ha along with Recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF+CB5 MT/Ha) showed higher plant growth and produced 2.77 times higher DMY (84.07 q/Ha) than alone soil application of Farmyard manure (FYM) @ 10 MT/Ha (30.39 q/Ha). FYM alone failed to increase plant growth as well as DMY of corn.

Clusrer Bean stover Biochar

Farmyard manure

Fig 12 Application of Prosopis juliflora wood Biochar @ 5 MT/Ha along with RDF (RDF+PJ 5 MT/Ha) showed taller plant height and gave 2.33 times higher DMY (57.75 q/Ha) than alone soil application of Cluster bean stover Biochar @ 10 MT/Ha (24.83 q/ha).

Prosopis juliflora wood Biochar @ 5 MT/Ha + RDF

cluster bean stover biochar @ 10 MT/Ha

Fig 13 Application of recommended dose of fertilizer along with 10 MT FYM/ha showed taller plant height and gave 54 % DMY (88.94 q/ha) than Prosopis juliflora wood Biochar @ 5 MT/Ha along with RDF (RDF+PJ 5 MT/Ha).

RDF+PJ 5 MT/Ha

RDF+ FYM 10MT/Ha

AC+PJ 10MT/ha

RDF+PJ 10MT/ha

Fig 14 Application of Prosopis juliflora wood Biochar @ 10 MT/Ha along with RDF (RDF+PJ 10 MT/Ha) showed taller plant height and produced 3.38 times higher DMY (62.4 q/Ha) than alone soil application of Prosopis juliflora wood Biochar @ 5 MT/Ha(18.46q/ha).

Fig 15 Application of Corn stover Biochar @ 10 MT/Ha along with RDF (RDF+MS10 MT/Ha) showed taller plant height and gave 4 times higher DMY (94.4 q/Ha) than alone soil application of Cluster bean stover Biochar @ 5 MT/Ha (23.79 q/ha).

Corn stover biochar @ 10 MT/Ha +RDF

Cluster bean stover biochar @ 5 MT/Ha

Fig 16 Application of Cluster bean stover Biochar @ 10 MT/Ha along with RDF (RDF+CB10 MT/Ha) showed taller plant height and produced 1.5 times higher DMY (84.88 q/Ha) than alone soil application of Prosopis juliflora wood Biochar @ 10 MT/Ha (62.4 q/ha).

RDF+CB10 MT/Ha

RDF+PJ 10 MT/Ha

Fig 17 Application of cluster bean stover biochar @ 5 MT/Ha along with RDF (RDF+CB5 MT/Ha) showed higher plant height and produced 4.25 times higher DMY (84.07 q/Ha) than alone soil application of Prosopis juliflora wood biochar @ 5 MT/Ha (19.72 q/ha).

RDF+CB5 MT/Ha AC+PJ 5 MT/Ha

Fig 18 Application of Prosopis juliflora wood biochar @ 10 MT/Ha along with RDF (RDF+PJ 10 MT/Ha) showed taller plant height and produced 2.62 times higher DMY (62.4 q/Ha) than alone soil application of Cluster bean stover biochar @ 5 MT/Ha (23.79 q/ha).

RDF+CB5 MT/Ha AC+PJ 5 MT/Ha Prosopis juliflora wood biochar @ 10 MT/Ha +RDF

Cluster bean stover biochar @ 5 MT/Ha

Fig. 19 Effect of biochar on N uptake (kg/ha) in presence and absent of recommended dose of fertilizer on corn crop

Application of three type of biochars or FYM along with RDF significantly increased N uptake by 3 to 4 times as compared to similar type of three biochars or FYM without RDF.

AC+MS 5

AC+MS 10

AC+CB 5

AC+CB10

AC+PJ 5

AC+PJ10

AC+FYM 5

AC+FYM10

RDF+MS5

RDF+MS10

RDF+CB 5

RDF+CB10

RDF+PJ 5

RDF+PJ10

RDF+FYM 5

RDF+FYM10

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

34.2745.52

34.42 31.225.34

30.65 29

48.68

124.8 120.79116.96116.06

86.15 90.82 93.79

124.44

Treatments

N u

pta

ke (

kg h

a-1)


Fig. 20 Effect of biochar on P uptake (kg/ha) in presence and absent of recommended dose of fertilizer on corn crop

Application of three type of biochars or FYM along with RDF significantly increased P uptake by 4 to 4.5 times as compared to similar type of three biochars or FYM without RDF.

AC+MS 5

AC+MS 10

AC+CB 5

AC+CB10

AC+PJ 5

AC+PJ10

AC+FYM 5

AC+FYM10

RDF+MS5

RDF+MS10

RDF+CB 5

RDF+CB10

RDF+PJ 5

RDF+PJ10

RDF+FYM 5

RDF+FYM10

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

3.444.55 4.16 4.04

3.01 3.492.39

3.76

17.9619.07

17.6816.9899999999998

11.6213.01

10.58

14.65

Treatments

P u

pta

ke

(kg

ha-

1)


Fig. 21 Effect of biochar on K uptake (kg/ha) in presence and absent of recommended dose of fertilizer on corn crop

Application of three type of biochars or FYM along with RDF significantly increased K uptake by 2.5 to 4 times as compared to similar type of three biochars or FYM without RDF.

AC+MS 5

AC+MS 10

AC+CB 5

AC+CB10

AC+PJ 5

AC+PJ10

AC+FYM 5

AC+FYM10

RDF+MS5

RDF+MS10

RDF+CB 5

RDF+CB10

RDF+PJ 5

RDF+PJ10

RDF+FYM 5

RDF+FYM10

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

3346

34 3625 25 24

36

131 133

97

122

6476

82

132

Treatments

K u

pta

ke

(kg

ha-

1)


Fig. 22 Effect of biochar on Ca and Mg uptake (kg/ha) in presence and absent of recommended dose of fertilizer on corn crop

Application of three type of biochars or FYM along with RDF significantly increased Ca and Mg uptake as compared to similar type of three biochars or FYM without RDF.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

9.2511.9710.6 9.66

6.79.03 9.47

13.88

43.6346.02

40.1640.32

29.630.3533.79

37.21Ca uptake


0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

6.667.015.845.474.495.626.12

9.82

35.5237.34

35.9835.22

22.7224.81

22.1

29.62Mg uptake

Fertilized treatmentUnfertilized

Fig. 23 Effect of biochar on S uptake (kg/ha) in presence and absent of recommended dose of fertilizer on corn crop

Application of three type of biochars or FYM along with RDF significantly increased S uptake by 3 to 4.5 times as compared to similar type of three biochars or FYM without RDF.

AC+MS 5

AC+MS 10

AC+CB 5

AC+CB10

AC+PJ 5

AC+PJ10

AC+FYM 5

AC+FYM10

RDF+MS5

RDF+MS10

RDF+CB 5

RDF+CB10

RDF+PJ 5

RDF+PJ10

RDF+FYM 5

RDF+FYM10

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

6.228.69 8.09 7.62

4.35 5.86 6.81 7.75

28.2330.21

28 28.56

18.56 17.9715.83

21.55

Treatments

S u

pta

ke (

kg h

a-1)


Fig. 24 Effect of biochar on zinc uptake (g/ha) in presence and absent of recommended dose of fertilizer on corn crop

Application of three type of biochars or FYM along with RDF significantly increased Zn uptake by 3 to 3.5 times as compared to similar type of three biochars or FYM without RDF.

AC+MS 5

AC+MS 10

AC+CB 5

AC+CB10

AC+PJ 5

AC+PJ10

AC+FYM 5

AC+FYM10

RDF+MS5

RDF+MS10

RDF+CB 5

RDF+CB10

RDF+PJ 5

RDF+PJ10

RDF+FYM 5

RDF+FYM10

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

96122

103 10081 76

94

134

380361 352 345

268243

274

385

Treatments

Zn

up

tak

e (k

g h

a-1

)


Fig. 25 Effect of biochar on Fe uptake (g/ha) in presence and absent of recommended dose of fertilizer on corn crop

Application of three type of biochars or FYM along with RDF significantly increased Fe uptake by 3 to 4 times as compared to similar type of three biochars or FYM without RDF.

AC+MS 5

AC+MS 10

AC+CB 5

AC+CB10

AC+PJ 5

AC+PJ10

AC+FYM 5

AC+FYM10

RDF+MS5

RDF+MS10

RDF+CB 5

RDF+CB10

RDF+PJ 5

RDF+PJ10

RDF+FYM 5

RDF+FYM10

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

738933 811 817 748 670 765

1041

2906 28342701 2717

2213 21412307

3030

Treatments

Fe u

pta

ke

(kg

ha-

1)


Fig. 26 Effect of biochar on Mn and Cu uptake (g/ha) in presence and absent of recommended dose of fertilizer on corn crop

Application of three type of biochars or FYM along with RDF significantly increased Mn and Cu uptake by 3 to 4 times as compared to similar type of three biochars or FYM without RDF.

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

85.69

130.3114.5120.86

71.5283.9483.01

122.68

364.36348.57

327.56328.289999999999

238.61244.880000000001241.43

294.419999999999

Treatments


0

10

20

30

40

50

60

12.6913.46

9.069.597.997.7710.56

16.02

45.39

54.7

42.5244.95

24.87

30.28

36.63

42.09

Treatments


Mn uptake Cu uptake

Sr. No.

Unferilized

Treatment

Bulk density(g cm-3)

Sr. No.Fertilized

treatment

Bulk density(g cm-3)

1 AC+MS5 1.123 9 RDF+MS5 1.104

2 AC+MS10 1.083 10 RDF+MS10 1.050

3 AC+CB5 1.209 11 RDF+CB5 1.203

4 AC+CB10 1.194 12 RDF+CB10 1.182

5 AC+PJ5 1.214 13 RDF+PJ5 1.221

6 AC+PJ10 1.202 14 RDF+PJ10 1.192

7 AC+FYM5 1.264 15 RDF+FYM5 1.272

8AC+FYM1

0

1.251 16RDF+FYM1

0

1.244

CD (0.05) 0.056

Fig 27 Effect of biochar on bulk density (g m-

3) in sandy loam soils

Soil application of fertilized corn stover biochar @ 10 t ha-1 (RDF+MS10) treatment decreased significantly bulk density (1.050 g cm-3) than other treatments followed by RDF+MS5, & AC+MS10 . The second in descending order of decreasing bulk density was AC+MS5 (1.123 g cm-3).

Sr. No.

Unferilized Treatment

CEC(Cmol (p+) kg-

1)

Sr. No.


CEC(Cmol (p+) kg-

1)

1 AC+MS5 13.08 9 RDF+MS5 14.60

2 AC+MS10 13.94 10 RDF+MS10 15.64

3 AC+CB5 12.07 11 RDF+CB5 13.61

4 AC+CB10 13.17 12 RDF+CB10 14.60

5 AC+PJ5 10.73 13 RDF+PJ5 12.27

6 AC+PJ10 11.07 14 RDF+PJ10 12.83

7 AC+FYM5 11.02 15 RDF+FYM5 12.07

8 AC+FYM10 11.93 16 RDF+FYM10 13.17

CD (0.05) 2.33

Fig 28 Effect of biochar on cation exchange capacity (CEC) (Cmol (p+) kg-1) in sandy loam soil

Application of RDF+MS10 recorded significantly higher CEC (15.64 Cmol (p+) kg-1) in sandy loam soil after harvest of corn followed by RDF+MS5 (14.60 Cmol (p+) kg-1), RDF+CB5 (13.61 Cmol (p+) kg-1), RDF+CB10 (14.60 Cmol (p+) kg-1) and AC+MS10 (13.94 Cmol (p+) kg-1). Biochar application in presence of fertilized treatments significantly influenced the CEC in sandy loam soil.

Sr. No.Unferilized Treatment

O.C.(%)

Sr. No.Fertilized

treatmentO.C.(%)

1 AC+MS5 0.34 9 RDF+MS5 0.38

2 AC+MS10 0.37 10 RDF+MS10 0.49

3 AC+CB5 0.33 11 RDF+CB5 0.37

4 AC+CB10 0.36 12 RDF+CB10 0.42

5 AC+PJ5 0.29 13 RDF+PJ5 0.36

6 AC+PJ10 0.32 14 RDF+PJ10 0.37

7 AC+FYM5 0.33 15 RDF+FYM5 0.36

8 AC+FYM10 0.36 16 RDF+FYM10 0.40

CD (0.05) 0.06

Fig 29 Effect of biochar on organic carbon content (OC %) in sandy loam soil

Application of RDF+MS10 recorded significantly higher organic carbon (OC)content (0.49 %) in soil after harvest of corn crop than other treatments. The second in descending order of OC was in treatment RDF+CB10 (0.42 %). These results indicated that biochar application in presence of fertilized treatments significantly influenced the OC content in soil.

Sr.

No.

Unferilize

d

Treatment

Available

N

(kg ha-1)

Sr.

No.

Fertilized

treatment

Available

N

(kg ha-1)

1 AC+MS5 225.00 9 RDF+MS5 273.33

2 AC+MS10 237.33 10 RDF+MS10 280.33

3 AC+CB5 244.00 11 RDF+CB5 259.33

4 AC+CB10 255.00 12 RDF+CB10 265.00

5 AC+PJ5 211.33 13 RDF+PJ5 230.33

6 AC+PJ10 220.67 14 RDF+PJ10 237.00

7 AC+FYM5 209.67 15 RDF+FYM5 244.33

8 AC+FYM10 222.33 16 RDF+FYM10 250.67

CD (0.05) 40.67

Fig 30 Effect of Biochar on Available N Content (kg ha-1) in Sandy Loam Soils

Application of RDF+MS10 recorded significantly higher available N (280.33 kg ha-1) in soil after harvest of corn crop than other treatments followed by RDF+MS5 , RDF+CB5 , RDF+CB10 , RDF+FYM5 , RDF+FYM10 , AC+CB5 and AC+CB10.

Sr. No.

Unferilized

Treatment

DTPA Zn (mg kg-1)

Sr. No.


DTPA Zn (mg kg-1)


CD (0.05) 0.19

Fig 31 Effect of biochar on DTPA extractable Zn content (mg kg-1) in sandy loam soils

Application of RDF+MS5 recorded significantly higher DTPA extractable Zn (1.62 mg kg-1) in soil after harvest of corn than other treatments followed by RDF+MS10 (1.48 mg kg-1). RDF+MS5 and RDF+MS10 showed 17.39 % and 21.31 % higher DTPA extractable Zn in soil after harvest of corn crop as compared to AC+MS5 and AC+MS10, respectively. Biochar application in presence of fertilized significantly influenced the DTPA extractable Zn in soil. The initial status of soil Zn was 0.40 mg kg ha-1 and 20 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 added in soil before experiment.

Fig 32 Effect of biochar on DTPA extractable Iron content (mg kg-1) in sandy loam soils

Sr. No.

Unferilized

Treatment

DTPA Fe (mg kg-1)

Sr. No.


DTPA Fe(mg kg-1)


CD (0.05) 1.46

Application of RDF+MS5 recorded significantly higher DTPA extractable Fe in soil (11.06 mg kg-1) after harvest of corn crop than other treatments followed by RDF+MS10 (9.99 mg kg-1). In the descending order of the effectiveness of the treatments, were RDF+CB5 and RDF+CB10. Fertilized biochar treatments RDF+MS5, RDF+MS10 and RDF+CB5 were highly effectiveness in increasing DTPA extractable Fe in soil by 46.29 %, 41.90 % and 24.32 % as compared to AC+MS5, AC+MS10 and AC+CB5,

respectively.

Sr. No.

Unferilized

Treatment

Microbial population (X 105 cfu g-

1)

Sr. No.


Microbial population (X 105 cfu g-

1)

1 AC+MS 5 4.57 9 RDF+MS5 5.642 AC+MS 10 5.83 10 RDF+MS10 6.173 AC+CB 5 4.58 11 RDF+CB 5 5.844 AC+CB10 5.07 12 RDF+CB10 6.275 AC+PJ 5 2.89 13 RDF+PJ 5 3.336 AC+PJ10 4.20 14 RDF+PJ10 5.547 AC+FYM 5 4.15 15 RDF+FYM 5 5.50

8 AC+FYM10 5.40 16RDF+FYM1

06.53

CD (0.05) 1.07

Fig 33 Effect of biochar on total microbial population in sandy loam soils

Application of RDF+FYM10 showed significantly higher bactrial population (6.53 X 105 cfu) than other treatments followed by RDF+MS5, RDF+MS10 , RDF+CB5 ,RDF+CB10 ,RDF+PJ10 ,RDF+FYM5 and AC+MS10 .

Sr. No.

Unferilized

Treatment

W.H.C. (%)

Sr. No.Fertilized

treatmentW.H.C.

(%)

1 AC+MS 5 24.04 9 RDF+MS5 25.30

2 AC+MS 10 27.01 10 RDF+MS10 28.27

3 AC+CB 5 23.10 11 RDF+CB5 24.70

4 AC+CB10 24.07 12 RDF+CB10 25.07

5 AC+PJ 5 24.03 13 RDF+PJ5 25.03

6 AC+PJ10 25.01 14 RDF+PJ10 25.40

7 AC+FYM 5 21.00 15 RDF+FYM5 22.67

8 AC+FYM10 22.07 16 RDF+FYM10 23.79

CD (0.05) 3.54

Application of RDF+MS10 showed significantly higher WHC (28.27 %) than other treatments followed by AC+MS10 , AC+PJ10 , RDF+MS5 , RDF+CB10 , RDF+PJ5 and RDF+PJ10.

Fig 34 Effect of biochar on water holding capacity of sandy loam soils

SummaryCorn stover biochar found its superiority as compared to cluster bean stover and Prosopis juliflora wood biochars by producing higher dry matter and crude protein yields of corn crop. It also showed more positive response for higher uptake of nutrients in presence of recommended chemical fertilizer as compared to alone biochar in the soil. The soil physical as well as chemical properties has been improved. The CEC, WHC and BD of the soils are also improved. There was saving of one irrigation in sandy loam soils owing to increase of WHC of the soils. The better aeration due to reduction of bulk density so more growth of micro-organism.

Conclusions1. Application of corn stover biochar @ 10 t ha-1

along with RDF increased dry matter yield, crude protein yield, chlorophyll content and plant height (at 30 and 60 DAS) as compared to CB and PJ biochars and FYM.

2. Application of Prosopis julifera (PJ) biochar @ 5 MT/ha along with RDF significantly increased Ca concentration and the highest Zn and Fe concentration was observed in this treatment.

3. Nutrient uptake like P, K, Ca, Mg, S and Cu were significantly increased with the application of RDF+MS10 while in case of uptake of N and Mn

were significantly increased in RDF+MS5.

Continued…Conclusions4. The higher removals of Zn and Fe in corn were v

found with the application of FYM @ 10 t ha -1 along with RDF.

5. RDF+MS10 was found most effective in obtaining

significantly higher DMY and CPY and larger removal of nutrients from the soil and it also beneficial for built up nutrients in soil. It also showed significantly higher CEC and OC content in sandy loam soil.

6. Application of RDF+MS5 significantly increased

DMY and CPY content of forage corn crop which ultimately resulted in larger removals of nutrients from the soil.

Contact:

Pravin [email protected]

Thank you

Students and technicians: Naresh Yadav, Rajkishore and Manish Dabhi,

Contact

Pravin [email protected]

Thank you

Students and technicians: Naresh Yadav, Shri L.N.Bariya, Manish Dabhi and Rajkishore

biochar preparation and effect of biochars on corn growth, yield , nutrient uptake and soil...

Technology

rdf rdf

ms10 rdf

fym rdf

cb10 mtha rdf

soil application of

cb10 ac

pj biochar

ms10 biochar