Effect of biochar and fertilizer application on transplanted rice -wheat cropping sequence under south Gujarat condition
Research Type
Other
Experiment Background
Fluctuating fertilizer prices over the last decade and sharp increases in prices in 2021/22 highlight the need to develop more efficient fertilizer strategies, or alternative and less expensive sources to aid crop nutrition. In particular, usage or re-usage of waste materials such as animal manure, farm waste and treated human effluent have been considered as means to decrease the need for synthetic fertilizers. Biochar amendment has been reported to positively influence soil C stability, especially for soil that lacks organic matter. Biochar acts, therefore, as an emerging and attractive option to effectively improve fertilizer utilization performance. Clearer understanding of the effects of biochar on soil fertility and crop production is necessary to calculate the potential benefits of biochar for carbon sequestration and altered or improved fertilizer use efficiency in soil. (Lehmann, 2007).
An alternative is the application of biochar, alone or in conjunction with fertilizers, as some biochars may favorably alter the chemical, physical, and biological conditions of some soils (Chan and Xu 2009; Theise and Rillig 2009). If biochar application to soil enables decreased fertiliser use, this may further reduce emissions from fertiliser manufacture. Decreased fertiliser use would also mean financial savings for farmers if the cost of biochar application is less than the value of the fertiliser saved to achieve the same grain yield. Such analysis assumes that decreased fertiliser use will not compromise long-term crop production by lowering the residual soil nutrient status.
Achieving a positive gross margin over time for a ‘one-off’ incorporation of biochar for rainfed farming systems may be possible by (i) minimizing the application rate, (ii) making the application method most efficient for the perceived beneficial effects of biochar on soil and plant, (iii) maximizing the duration of these effects from the time of application.
Major crop in kharif and rabi seasons are rice and wheat respectively, in Mangrol, therefore, present studies were undertaken to examine the yield response and residual effect of biochar on wheat.
Experiment Group
Natural Resource Management
Unit Type
(01)RESEARCH UNIT
Unit
(48)AGRICULTURE RESEARCH STATION (MANGAROL)
Department
(254)Agriculture Research Station, Mangarol
BudgetHead
(330/12048/00)330/07/REG/02133
Objective
To study the efficiency of biochar and nutrient application on growth and yield of kharif transplanted rice - rabi wheat cropping sequence
To study appropriate nutrient combination through biochar – nutrient application under kharif transplanted rice - rabi wheat cropping sequence