Influence of Biochars on Yield and Nitrogen and Phosphorus Use Efficiency of Pisum sativum under Groundwater and Wastewater Irrigation in Arid Climate

Abstract

ABSTRACTPresent study evaluated the influence of slow-pyrolyzed wood-derived and cow manure-derived biochars on growth performance (i.e., yield production, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), and phosphorus use efficiency (PUE)) of Pisum sativum under groundwater and municipal wastewater irrigation. Biochars were applied at 5, 10, and 15 t ha−1 rates for 2 years. The amendment of biochars did not enhance yield during first year under both irrigation types; rather, small-particle-sized (<0.65 mm) wood-derived biochar reduced significantly yield at higher application rates under groundwater irrigation. During second year, amendment of biochars significantly increased the yield especially at higher application rates under groundwater irrigation while no influence of biochars was observed for wastewater irrigation treatment. The yield was significantly lower under wastewater irrigation for all treatments as compared to first year. The NUE and PUE of pods and stover were not different during first year and second year under both irrigation treatments except for the small-particle-sized wood-derived biochar applied at 10 and 15 t ha−1, which tended to reduce significantly the NUE and PUE of pods and stover under groundwater irrigation during first year of cropping. The NUE and PUE were significantly lower during following year under wastewater irrigation. Our results suggest that amendment of biochars had positive influence on the growth of P. sativum under groundwater irrigation during second year of cropping while these amendments had no influence under wastewater irrigation.