INFLUENCE OF BIOCHAR ON YIELD OF WHEAT (Triticum aestivum L.) AND SOIL PROPERTIES

Abstract

The present experiment was carried out in the research field of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU), Dhaka, Bangladesh, during the period from November, 2021 to March, 2022 in Rabi season. The objective was to observe the effect of biochar on the yield of wheat and soil properties and to find out the optimum dose of biochar along with inorganic fertilizer for achieving the maximum yield of wheat. The experiment comprised of 8 treatments as T 1 = Control, T 2 = RFD (Recommended Fertilizer Dose); T 3 = RFD + Biochar @ 1.0 t ha -1 ; T 4 = RFD + Biochar @ 1.5 t ha -1 ; T 5 = RFD + Biochar @ 2.0 t ha = 75% of RFD + Biochar @ 1.0 t ha -1 ; T 7 = 75% of RFD + Biochar @ 1.5 t ha ; T 8 = 75% of RFD + Biochar @ 2.0 t ha -1 . The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The tested variety was BARI Gom-32. Data were recorded on different growth, yield attributes of wheat and nutrient status of postharvest soil. The collected data were statistically analyzed for evaluation of the treatment effect. Results showed that a significant variation among the treatments in respect of majority of the observed parameters. The maximum plant height was recorded from RFD + Biochar @ 2.0 t ha -1 treated plot. The highest number of spike length, number of spikelets spike -1 , number of grains spike -1 was found in T 4 treatment. The maximum yield of wheat (4.21 t ha -1 ) was produced from T 5 (RFD + Biochar @ 2.0 t ha -1 ) treatment which was 12% higher over T 2 (RFD) and 100% higher over T 1 (control). The minimum yield of wheat (2.10 t ha ) was produced from control treatment. From postharvest soil analysis, the highest organic carbon (0.76%), organic matter (1.31%) was recorded in T 8 (75% of RFD + Biochar @ 2.0 t ha -1 ) treatment. From this study, it might be concluded that biochar had significant positive effect on the improvement of growth and yield of wheat when it applied in combination with recommended dose of chemical fertilizers. The fertility of the postharvest soil was also improved apprehensively due to application of biochar along with inorganic fertilizers.