Impact of Varying doses of Biochar and INM Practices on Agro Physiological Performance, Yield and Economics of Maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of graded doses of biochar and fertility levels with and without biofertilizer under partially reclaimed Sodic Soils on the maize crop during Kharif, 2021 and 2022 at Students Instructional Farm of Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj Ayodhya. The eight treatments viz. T1: Control, T2: 100% (RDF 100:60:40; N P2O5, K2O), T3: 50% RDF + 2.5 t ha-1 biochar,  T4: 50% RDF + 2.5 t ha-1 biochar + ZMB Biofertilizer, T5: 50% RDF + 2.5 t ha-1 biochar + ZMB Biofertilizer + Zn, T6: 100 % RDF + 5 t ha-1 biochar, T7: 100 % RDF + 5 t ha-1 biochar + ZMB Biofertilizer, T8: 100 % RDF + 5 t ha-1 biochar + ZMB Biofertilizer + Zn were setup in a Randomized Block Design with replicated thrice. The Kanchan variety (K-25) was taken as a test crop. Significantly, maximum relative growth rate, net assimilation rate and yield were recorded with 100% RDF + 5 t ha-1 biochar + ZMB biofertilizer + Zn gave the best results. The highest gross return (₹12674) and net return (₹67162) was obtained with 100 % RDF + 5 t ha-1 biochar + ZMB biofertilizer + Zn (T8).