Different Combinations Of Biochar And Urea As A Nitrogen Source: Effect On Growth, Tuber Quality, And Yield Of Potato

Abstract

Field research was carried out to examine the biochar effect on growth, tuber quality, and yield of the potato crop. Treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with 7 treatments of different combinations of biochar and urea (BC100%, BC80%+Urea20%, BC60%+Urea40%, BC40%+Urea60%, BC20%+Urea80%, Urea100%, BCC) as nitrogen source with 4 replications, where all treatments supply recommended dose of fertilizer except control treatment (BCC). The tested variety of potato was Janakdev. The recorded observations showed that biochar mixed with chemical fertilizer had a significantly superior effect on growth (height, branches number, canopy), marketable tuber weight and number, tuber size, yield, and dry matter % as compared to sole biochar (BC100%), sole chemical fertilizer (Urea100%), and control (BCC) treatments. Among the treatments, BC40%+Urea60% (Biochar applied @ 10 t/ha) had resulted significantly higher marketable tuber weight and number, tuber size, yield, and dry matter %. Our results thus demonstrate that the application of chemical fertilizer in combination with biochar could effectively enhance the plant growth, tuber quality, and yield of the potato crop.