Effect of micronutrients and sulfur enriched phyto-biochars on yield, tissue concentrations and uptake of these nutrients in fodder maize (Zea mays L.) and post-harvest soil properties

Abstract

A pot culture experiment was conducted to examine the effect of low doses (equivalent to 0.5 t ha−1) of phyto-biochars (lantana, pine needles and wheat straw) pyrolyzed at 300 and 450 °C which were enriched with 0, 50, 75 and 100% of recommended doses of fertilizers (RDF) (micronutrients and S) prior to soil application on yield, nutrient concentration and uptake of fodder maize (Zea mays L.). The dry matter yields of fodder maize increased significantly with the application of enriched phyto-biochars in comparison to direct soil application of all the corresponding levels of RDF. The highest dry matter yield (24.05 g pot−1) was obtained with wheat straw biochar pyrolyzed at 450 °C enriched with 75% of RDF; which was 140.0% higher over the control (10.02 g pot−1) and 34.6% higher over the direct application of 75% of RDF, respectively. The concentrations of micronutrients and S in maize tissue and their total uptakes by maize were differentially influenced by different enriched phyto-biochars, however, the application of some enriched phyto-biochar significantly increased the total uptakes of Zn, Fe, Mn, and B by maize. The changes in soil pH, electrical conductivity and readily oxidizable soil organic C contents after the harvest of maize crop have been reported. The use of enriched phyto-biochars significantly increased the contents of soil extractable Zn, Fe, Mn, B and S in soil after the harvest of maize.