Abstract:
The experiment was conducted at the research farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural
University, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, Bangladesh, during the Robi season from
October 2018 to April 2019 to study the integrated effect of nitrogen and akha biochar
on soil properties and production of maize. The experiment was laid out in two factors
split plot design with three replications. Factor A: T
1
= Akha Biochar, T
2
= Compost,
T
3
= Control and Factor B: Different Nitrogen doses i.e.N
0
= 0%, N
1
= 50%, N
2
= 75%
and N
3
= 100% Recommended doses of Nitrogen. The size of the plot was 2m × 2.5m
i.e. 5m
2
. Maize seed of SAU Hybried Vutta 1 was used as planting material. Result
revealed that, the highest plant height was observed in T
1
(140.77 and 204.94 cm at 60
and 90 DAS, respectively) and N
3
(68.14, 159.85 and 235.83 cm at 30, 60 and 90
DAS, respectively). Length of cob (21.60 cm and 23.83 cm), diameter of cob (15.11
cm and 15.82 cm), number of grain rows/cob (27.44 and 32.54), weight per ear
(213.76 g and 293.45 g), weight of 250 grains (82.83 g and 95.77 g), grain yield (8.29
and 11.63 ton/ha), Stover yield (9.42 and 13.13 ton/ha) and total yield (17.73 and
24.76 ton/ha) were highest in T
1
and N
3
respectively. The highest plant height (70.59,
161.68 and 240.65 cm at 30, 60 and 90 DAS, respectively), diameter of cob (15.99
cm), number of grain rows/cob (32.34), weight per ear (304.71 g), weight of 250
grains (96.47 g), grain yield (12.54 ton/ha) and total yield (25.83 ton/ha) were
observed N
3
T
3
(100% recommended doses of Nitrogen and control) treatment which
was statistically similar to N
3
T
1
, N
2
T
1
and N
3
T
2
. The highest soil pH (6.35 and 6.24),
OC% (0.6233 and 0.6044%), total N (0.1001 and 0.1011%), Available P (167.06 and
167.06 ppm) and exchangeable K (0.1608 and 0.1667 meq 100g
-1
) were observed in
T
1
and N
3
treatment respectively. For the combine effect the highest soil pH (6.49),
organic carbon (0.70%), total nitrogen (0.1427%), Available phosphorus (202.15
ppm) and exchangeable potassium (0.1933 meq 100g
-1
) were recorded in N
3
from
which organic carbon (0.65%) and Available phosphorus (198.35 ppm)were
statistically similar with N
2
T
1
. From this study, it may be concluded that Akha
biochar had significant positive response for the improving growth and yield of maize
and also the fertility of the postharvest soil was improved apprehensively due to
application of Akha biochar along with 75% recommended dose of Nitrogen.
Description:
A Thesis
Submitted to the Department of Agroforestry and Environmental Science,
Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka
In partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree
of
MASTER OF SCIENCE (MS)
IN
AGROFORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE