Influence of Biochar on Growth, Yield and Quality of Broccoli

Abstract

Broccoli is one of the most important, nutrient-rich vegetables among cole crops which belong to the family Brassicaceae. It is known to be a healthy and delectable vegetable which is rich in many nutrients. Biochar is considered as a potential substitute for soil organic matter (SOM). Biochar addition to low organic carbon soils can act as a feasible solution to keep soil biologically active for the cycling of different nutrients. The application of biochar could improve soil fertility, increase crop yield, enhance plant growth and microbialabundance, and immobilize different contaminants in the soil. Due to thelarge surface area of biochar, which generally depends upon the types of feedstock and pyrolysis conditions, it helps to reduce the leaching of fertilizers from the soil and supplies additional nutrientsto growing crops. In view of the above importance all possible issues related to biochar application should beconsidered. Previous literature review shows that applying biochar to the broccoli plant improved only the leaf area and root length with significant changes. The highest yield per plot (4.49 kg), bud weight (499.37g), bud diameter (16.55 cm), and yield per hectare (14.98 t ha-1) of broccoli was found to be significant in biochar treated plot (T2: PSB 100 L/ha + Biochar 30 t ha-1). Considering classification of the flowering heads by categories, M (manure pellet) + EB (enriched-biochar amended soil and organic fertilizer) + AND (manure pellet and enriched-biochar amended soil treated with organic fertilization) treatments showed a higher number of first category flowering heads with regard to other treatments. Therefore, the use of biochar is an effective approach for potential nutrient reservoir for plants and a good amendment to improve soil properties.