Integration of Biochar with Organic and Inorganic Sources of Phosphorous for Improving Maize Productivity

Abstract

A field trial was carried out at New Developmental Farm of The University Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan during summer 2012, in order to study the integration of biochar with organic and inorganic sources of phosphorous for improving maize productivity. Therefore the field experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement havin three replications. Two levels of biochar (0 and 25 t ha^-1) were allotted to main plots, while two organic sources (Farmyard manure (FYM) and poultry manure (PM)) and the ratios of (organic vs SSP) were applied to the field in such a combination that 100%, 75%, 50% and 25% of P was obtained from the organic sources and the rest was compensated from the inorganic source SSP and vice versa for making a total of 100 kg P ha^-1. Plots treated with 25 tones biochar ha^-1 produced maximum grains ear^-1 (366), 1000 grains weight (285.6 g) and grain yield (4013 kg ha^-1) as compared with control plots. Both organic sources (Farmyard manure (FYM) and poultry manure (PM)) had not significant effect on all parameters. The ratios showed that integration of phosphorous 50 % from organic and 50 % from inorganic phosphorous had maximum ear plant^-1 (1.31), grains row^-1 (27), rows ear^-1 (14.8), grains ear^-1 (374), 1000 grains weight (295.2) and grain yield (4330 kg ha^-1). The interaction between biochar, organic sources and the ratios of (organic vs SSP) revealed that application of biochar at the rate of 25 t ha^-1 with 50 % from organic and 50 % from inorganic phosphorous had maximum 1000 grains weight and  grain yield. For greater improvement in the yield and yield component of maize it is recommended that plots treated with 25 tones biochar ha^-1 and integrated use of phosphorous 50% from organic and 50% from inorganic source seems to be the best choice for maize grower in the agro-climatic condition of Peshawar valley.

Keywords:Maize (Zea mays L.), biochar, FYM, PM, ratios (organic vs SSP), grain yield, yield components