Effect of biochar levels and integrated nutrient-management practices on agro-physiological performance and productivity of maize (Zea mays)

Abstract

The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized block design, during the pre-rainy season of 2018 and 2019 at ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hills Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, to study the effect of biochar and integrated nutrient management practices on agro-physiological performance and productivity of maize (Zea mays L.). comprising 4 treatments, viz. B₁ , (Control); B₂ , (5 t/ha biochar); B₃ , (10 t/ha biochar); B₄ , (15 t/ha biochar) in factor A and factor B having 3 integrated nutrient-management (INM) practices NM1 [(100% recommended, viz. dose of nitrogen (RDN)]; NM₂ [(75% RDN + 25% FYM)]; NM3 (50% RDN + 50% FYM), in 3 replications. The results showed that an application of biochar @ 15 t/ha resulted in significantly higher plant height (171.4 and 177.1 cm) and dry-matter accumulation (393.1 and 401.5 g/plant) at harvesting stage, leaf area index (LAI) at 60 days after sowing (4.78 and 4.85) and 90 days after sowing (DAS) (5.45 and 5.52), crop-growth rate (CGR) at 30–60 days after sowing (37.3 and 38 g/m2/day). This treatment also resulted in significantly higher kernel/cob (267.8 and 275.8), rows/cob (20.7 and 21), kernel/row (19.9 and 21.8), kernel (4.43 and 4.49 t/ha) and stover yield (7.02 and 7.07 t/ha), total nitrogen uptake (141.8 and 140.4 kg/ha), total phosphorus uptake (23.8 and 23.6 kg/ha), total potassium uptake (115.9 and 114 kg/ha) and gross returns (102,664 and 104,023 `/ha) in 2018 and 2019 as compared to the other treatments. In the case of INM practices, significantly higher plant height (161.6 cm) and drymatter accumulation at the harvesting stage (367.2 g/plant), leaf area index at 60 days after sowing (4.60) and 90 days after sowing (5.23), crop growth rate (34 g/m<sup>2</sup> /day) at 30–60 days after sowing, kernels/cob (234.9), rows/cob (18.4), kernel/row (19.0), kernel (4.15 t/ha) and stover yield (6.56 t/ha), total nitrogen uptake (125.6 kg/ha), total phosphorus uptake (21.4 kg/ha), total potassium uptake (100.7 kg/ha) and gross return (95,931 `/ha) were noticed under 75% RDN + 25% FYM during the first year, while during the second year significantly higher plant height (167.6 cm) and dry-matter accumulation at harvesting stage (375.7 g/plant), leaf area index at 60 days after sowing (4.69) and 90 days after sowing (5.31), crop growth rate (35.2 g/m² /day) at 30–60 days after sowing, kernels/ cob (241.0), rows/cob (18.7), kernel/row (20.8), kernel (4.25 t/ha) and stover yield (6.63 t/ha), total nitrogen uptake (125.1 kg/ha), total phosphorus uptake (21.5 kg/ha) and total potassium uptake (99.1 kg/ha) were recorded under 50% RDN + 50% FYM than the control, but gross returns (95,931 `/ha) were noticed under 75% RDN + 25 FYM. The best alternative choice for maize production in the India Himalayan area or other similar ecoregions may be the use of biochar @ 15 t/ha together with the concomitant application of 50% RDN + 50% FYM.