Assessment of biochar as soil conditioner for maximizing yield in rainfed greengram

Abstract

Agriculture is the livelihood of people living therein. The agriculture of this region is unique in the sense that crops are mostly grown under rainfed conditions. This region receives usually rain largely from the onset of north-east monsoon with erratic behavior which affects level and spread of rainfall distribution. On an average, the seasonal rainfall was received to the extent of 656.4 mm and it has a downpour in short span of 40 days. Given the prevalence of drought vulnerability, farmers continue to face the consequences of rainfall Application of biochar @ 5t/ha along with soil test-based application NPK Fertilizers (TO3) registered higher yield of green gram (8.64 q/ha), which was closely followed (7.23 q/ha) by application of FYM along with soil test-based application NPK Fertilizers (TO2). The Farmers practice (Application of DAP as basal without any soil test) recorded lower yield of green gram (5.49 q/ha).