Characterization of Wood and Bamboo Biochar, and their effect on Yield and Quality of Ricebean (Vigna umbellata) in Dystrudept

Author: Yabi Gadi, Y.K. Sharma, A.P. Singh, Avini-e Nakhro, M.M. Shulee Ariina and Sibino Dolie

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Abstract

Ricebean (Vigna umbellata) is a grain legume cultivated in the hilly areas of Northeastern India and may be adversely affected by soil acidity. Soil incorporation of biochar along with pig manure has the potential to mitigate soil acidity by decreasing soil exchangeable acid cations thereby improving soil fertility. A field experiment was conducted during 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 to study the effect of wood and bamboo biochar on ricebean yield, nutrient content and its uptake, and on soil properties under acidic soil conditions. Biochar produced from pyrolyzed wood of Teak (Tectona grandis) and bamboo (Bambusa tulda) was soil applied at the rate of 2.5 and 5.0 t ha-1, with or without pig manure and recommended dose of fertilizer. Types of biochar, and the nutritional value of pig manure alongside RDF significantly enhanced the seed, stover yield, nutrient content and nutrient uptake of ricebean. Rising cost of commercial fertilizers added with increased environmental risk make the use of organic waste in agriculture an attractive method from the point of view of nutrient cycling. Thus, the present investigation hypothesized that wood and bamboo biochar along with pig manure application could enhance the productivity and nutrient concentration of ricebean by mitigating the acid soil.

Keywords

Biochar, ricebean, yield, nutrient content, base saturation, wood biochar and bamboo biochar

Conclusion

Findings of the present investigation revealed the positive influence of biochar application along with RDF and pig manure, which improved the soil base saturation, increased nutrient uptake, mineral composition that have bettered the yield of ricebean under acidic conditions. Yield increment in ricebean could be pertinent to the liming effect of biochar, meanwhile the higher nutrient content and uptake is evidence of the bioavailability of nutrients post biochar application. As observed from the outcome of the investigation, combined application of RDF + 2.0 t ha-1 pig manure + 5.0 t ha-1 wood biochar may be recommended for getting better yield of ricebean in Dystrudepts of Nagaland.

References

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How to cite this article

Yabi Gadi, Y. K. Sharma, A.P. Singh, Avini-e Nakhro, M.M. Shulee Ariina and Sibino Dolie (2023). Characterization of Wood and Bamboo Biochar, and their Effect on Yield and Quality of Ricebean (Vigna umbellata) in Dystrudept. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(3): 625-631.