Abstract
Arid and semi-arid regions are characterized by high temperature and low rainfall, leading to degraded agricultural soils of alkaline calcareous nature with low organic matter contents. Less availability of indigenous nutrients and efficacy of applied fertilizers are the major issues of crop production in these soils. Biochar application, in combination with plant growth promoting rhizobacteria with the ability to solubilize nutrients, can be an effective strategy for improving soil health and nutrient availability to crops under these conditions. Experiments were planned to evaluate the impact of biochar obtained from different sources in combination with acid-producing, nutrient-solubilizing Bacillus sp. ZM20 on soil biological properties and growth of maize (Zea mays L.) crops under natural conditions. Various biochar treatments, viz. wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) straw biochar, Egyptian acacia (Vachellia nilotica L.) biochar, and farm-yard manure biochar with and without Bacillus sp. ZM20, were used along with control. Soil used for pot and field trials was sandy loam in texture with poor water holding capacity and deficient in nutrients. Results of the pot trial showed that fresh and dry biomass, 1000 grain weight, and grain yield was significantly improved by application of biochar of different sources with and without Bacillus sp. ZM20. Application of biochar along with Bacillus sp. ZM20 also improved soil biological properties, i.e., soil organic matter, microbial biomass carbon, ammonium, and nitrate nitrogen. It was also observed that a combined application of biochar with Bacillus sp. ZM20 was more effective than a separate application of biochar. The results of wheat straw biochar along with Bacillus sp. ZM20 were better as compared to farm-yard manure biochar and Egyptian acacia biochar. Maximum increase (25.77%) in grain yield was observed in the treatment where wheat straw biochar (0.2%) was applied in combination with Bacillus sp. ZM20. In conclusion, combined application of wheat straw biochar (0.2%) inoculated with Bacillus sp. ZM20 was the most effective treatment in improving the biological soil properties, plant growth, yield, and quality of maize crop as compared to all other treatments.
Highlights
The current world population is about 7.6 billion, which is increasing at an exponential rate and will be about 9.8 billion in 2050 and is further expected to rise to 11.2 billion in 2100, as reported by the United Nations [1]
Results (Figure 1A) showed that farmyard manure (FYM) (Farm yard manure) biochar treatments increased the organic matter in the pot trial
A maximum increase (25.77%) in grain yield was observed in the treatment where wheat straw biochar (0.2%) was applied in combination with Bacillus sp
Summary
The current world population is about 7.6 billion, which is increasing at an exponential rate and will be about 9.8 billion in 2050 and is further expected to rise to 11.2 billion in 2100, as reported by the United Nations [1]. About half of the added population will be concentrated in less developed countries. Due to this reason, there will be a marked decrease in agricultural lands, as most of the productive lands will be used for constructing new housing societies and infrastructure [2]. To feed the world population, utilization of less productive soils, and bringing such soils into the agricultural system by fighting desertification, salinization, and soil pollution is the major challenge for the scientific community [3]. Increasing per-hectare yield of the major crops along with exploring the unutilized arable lands can be helpful to meet the challenge of food requirements. Maize, being the staple food of most of the world population, is an important cereal crop [4]
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