Effect of Biochar on Tomato Productivity and Soil chemical Properties under Acidic Soil Condition

Abstract

Biochar is being evaluated globally as a means to improve soil fertility, ecosystem services and sequester carbon. This study presents an attempt to analysing the influence of biochar application on the soil properties, growth, yield of tomato plant under acid soil. The study was conducted at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University during Robi season 2022 with 2 factor Randomized Completely Block Design. Factor A was the different acid soils with pH 6.5, 5.5, 5.0 and 4.5 and Factor B was the control, biocar and biochar+compost. The results showed that soil pH, bulk density, water content and soil organic matter were improved significantly as biochar and biochar + compost application. Biochar application also enhanced plant height, leaf number and yield components of tomato plant. It also revealed that combined application of biochar and compost increased the uptake and available of N, P, K than biochar alone and control in different level of acid soils. It was found that biochar + compost treatment in the whole growing period was best to improve tomato plant growth and yield, providing a biochar amendment recommendation for tomato production in field. Moreover, biochar application improved the soil physical and chemical properties. Therefore, biochar amendment could be an effective option to improve acidity affected croplands.