INTEGRATED EFFECT OF NITROGEN AND AKHA BIOCHAR ON SOIL PROPERTIES AND PRODUCTION OF MAIZE

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.