Innovative biochar and organic manure co-composting technology for yield maximization in maize-black gram cropping system

Abstract

The collective utilization of biochar and organic manure represents the profit to plants and nutrient cycling. In this experiment, the maize (stalk and cob) biomass was pyrolyzed at 600 °C and morpho-mineralogically characterized. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) image represented cross-linked pores and feathery plate–like layer construction on the surface of biochar. The 75:25 ratio combinations of organic manure and biochar were the best for developing low-cost biochar co-compost technology. The maximum increase in pH was observed in biochar-poultry manure (7.05) co-compost followed by pig manure (6.97), goat manure (9.93), vermicompost (6.85), and FYM (6.83) co-compost. The release of cumulative CO2 decreased with increase in biochar ratio in biochar co-compost mixture. The organic manure/biochar (co-compost) ratio at 75:25 enhanced maximum yield in poultry manure (4528 and 1027 kg/ha) followed by goat manure (4378 and 1016 kg/ha), vermicompost (4278 and 986 kg/ha), pig manure (4218 and 956 kg/ha), and FYM (4178 and 949 kg/ha) for maize and black gram, respectively. The poultry75+BC25 results in maximum grain nitrogen content in both maize and black gram and minimum with FYM25+BC75. Lastly, with increase in biochar ratio in co-compost, the specific leaf weight and chlorophyll content significantly increased. Thus, the encouraging role of biochar co-compost on crop growth, yield, soil health, and physiology proposes that it is a superior technique to overcome biochar’s intrinsic nutrient deficit, making it a proper way serving to refine farm-scale nutrient cycles.