Response of Enriched Biochar and Vermicompost on Nutrient and Seed Quality by Sweet Corn

Abstract

Sweet corn is a short-season crop, thus it requires a balanced nutrient supply to ensure adequate crop uptake. Enriched biochar with inorganic fertilizer produces a balanced nutrient by maintaining an inorganic nutrient in the soil and enhancing crop return. The study was carried out in 2020-21 at the CRC, GBPUAT, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, to investigate the effect of enriched biochar or vermicompost with micronutrients and inorganic nutrients on crop nutrition and seed quality. A randomized block design experiment with three replications was carried out consist eight treatments (control, 100% RDF, 75 and 100% RDF + enriched biochar @ 2t/ha, 75% RDF + enriched biochar @ 2t/ha + micronutrient mixture, 75 and 100% RDF with vermicompost @ 4t/ha, and 75% RDF with vermicompost @ 4t/ha + micronutrient mixture). Treatment 4 (100% RDF + EB @ 2t/ha) produced the maximum yield, nutrient absorption, and quality. As a consequence, a combination of enriched biochar and inorganic produced good results in sweet corn. It is advised that sweet corn be grown in a combination of inorganic and organic fertilizers.