Book of Extended summaries ISDA

International Conference on Reimagining Rainfed Agro-ecosystems: Challenges &
Opportunities during 22-24, December 2022 at ICAR-CRIDA, Hyderabad
T4a-11R-1127
Co-Application of Biochar and Inorganic Fertilizer Improves Soil Fertility and Crop
Productivity in Maize-Groundnut Cropping System in Semi-Arid Alfisols
K. C. Nataraja 1 , S. N. Malleswari Sadhineni 1 , G. Narayana Swamy 1 , Ch. Srinivasarao 2 ,
D. Balaguraviah 1 , M. V. S. Naidu 1 , Y. Reddi Ramu, 1 P. Lavanya Kumari 1 and
T. Giridhara Krishna 1
1 Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Andhra Pradesh
2 ICAR-National Academy Agricultural Research Management, Hyderabad - 500030, Telangana
The man induced climate change, posed an adverse impact on soil health and crop
productivity. It is crucial to maintain threshold level of organic matter in soil to perform its
agricultural production and environmental functions (Srinivasarao et al., 2014). In this
context, there is a considerable interest in the concept of applying biochar to soil as long term
sink for carbon thereby mitigating climate change. In addition to being an important emission
neutral technology, biochar is a multifunctional option. Hence, the addition of biochar is
complementary to diverse land uses in semi-arid agro ecosystem (Lal et al., 2018). In light of
the above scenario, co application of biochar and inorganic fertilizer and its effect on crop
growth was evaluated in maize-groundnut cropping system under hot, semi-arid Alfisols of
southern Andhra Pradesh, India.
Methodology
Field experiment was conducted in split-split plot design with fixed plot for both Kharif and
Rabi during 2018 to 2020 at Agricultural Research Station, Ananthapuramu under Acharya
N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Andhra Pradesh, India. 75 % Recommended dose of
inorganic fertilizer (RDF) as (F1) and 100% as (F2). Pigeonpea biochar (B1) and cotton
biochar (B2) and their respective crop residues as (B3 and B4) were treated as sub plots.
Biochar and their respective crop residues were applied at the rate 0 t ha -1 , 2 t ha -1 and 4 t ha -1
as sub - sub plot treatments. All the treatments were applied with common basal dose of RDF
for maize during kharif and for groundnut during rabi. Sub plot treatment with 0 t ha -1 of
fertilizer was considered as fertilized control. Biochar application was only to Kharif maize in
both the years and its residual effect was studied on groundnut during Rabi.
Results
The impact of combined application of biochar along with RDF in maize-groundnut cropping
system under hot, semi-arid Alfisols is presented in table 1. The pooled statistically analyzed
data reveals that, highest plant height at harvest was recorded in maize with the application of
100% RDF + pigeonpea biochar @ 4 t ha -1 followed by 2 t ha -1 and fertilized control
treatments. The carry over effect of biochar on Rabi groundnut was also noticed the similar
trend. Similarly, the conjunctive use of 100% RDF + pigeonpea biochar @ 4 t ha -1 recorded
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