Combined Application of Biochar and Nitrogenous Fertilizers Influences Growth and Productivity of Rainy and Spring Seasons Maize
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53550/ijsc.v54.i1.218Keywords:
Biochar, Crop productivity, Farmyard manure, Maize, Water productivityAbstract
The use of biochar and other organic amendments not only reduces fertilizer dosage but also improves crop growth and water productivity. A field study was conducted in rainy or kharif season maize (2019) and spring maize (2020) with main-plots having BN₁ (biochar @ 7.5 t ha⁻¹ + N @ 75 kg ha⁻¹), BN₂ (biochar @ 7.5 t ha⁻¹ + N @ 150 kg ha⁻¹), FN₁ (farmyard manure @ 20 t ha⁻¹ + N @ 75 kg ha⁻¹), FN₂ (farmyard manure @ 20 t ha⁻¹ + N @ 150 kg ha⁻¹), N₁ (N @ 75 kg ha⁻¹) and N₂ (N @ 150 kg ha⁻¹) and sub-plots with two irrigations, viz., I₀.₆ (IW/CPE: 0.6) and I₀.₉ (IW/CPE: 0.9). Higher plant height (2.96 m), SPAD value (58.55), stover yield (23.89 t ha⁻¹), cob yield (8.14 t ha⁻¹) and grain yield (5.78 t ha⁻¹) were obtained under BN₂ treatment compared to other treatments. BN₂ increased grain yield by 22.7% and 28.5%, and water productivity by 21.6% and 27.6% in rainy season and spring season compared to N₂. The I₀.₆ treatment resulted in higher water productivity by 5.5% compared to I₀.₉ during the spring season, but grain yield was significantly higher under the I₀.₉ treatment. Therefore, BN₂ with I₀.₉ is a viable practice for achieving higher crop productivity.
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