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Effect of Biochar and Vermicompost as an Organic Soil Amendment in Sweet Orange (2018–2019)

M. Yasmin
Soil Science Division, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh

F.S. Shikha
Soil Science Division, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh

M.A. Rahman
Soil Science Division, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh

M. M. Masud
Soil Science Division, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh

S. Akhter
Soil Science Division, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A field experiment on sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L.) plant was conducted in Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Jamalpur with the objectives to investigate the effect of biochar and vermicompost on yield and yield components of sweet orange and to develop soil fertility through the inclusion of biochar and vermicompost. The experiment started in the year 2017-2018 and is continuing with the second year (2018-19). There were five treatments comprising T₁: Biochar + IPNS based Chemical fertilizer (N₉₇P₂₀K₁₅S₁₈Zn₃B₁ g tree^-1yr^-1), T₂: Vermicompost + IPNS based chemical fertilizer (N₁₀₈P₄₅K₅₄S₁₈Zn₃B₁g tree^-1yr^-1), T₃: Biochar + vermicompost + IPNS based Chemical fertilizer (N₁₀₃P₃₂K₃₄S₁₈Zn₃B₁g tree^-1yr^-1), T₄: Chemical fertilizer (N₁₆₉P₇₉K₈₈S₁₈Zn₃B₁g tree^-1yr^-1). All the treatments were significantly different from the control on all the yield and yield contributing character. Data revealed that T₃ treatment i.e. Biochar + vermicompost + IPNS based chemical fertilizer showed its best results with respect to vegetative and fruit characters of sweet orange plant. Among the four treatments, the highest fruit yield (8.23 t ha^-1) was recorded in the T₃ treatment (biochar+vermicompost combination treatment) and the lowest (5.85 t ha^-1) was found in the control T₄ (chemical fertilizer) treatment. Soil organic carbon (SOC), total N, available P, K and S contents in post-harvest soil were also highest in T₃ treatment. The overall results indicate that application of biochar @ 4 kg tree^-1 year^-1 in combination with vermicompost @ 2 kg tree^-1yr^-1and IPNS based chemical fertilizer was most effective in increasing sweet orange yield and carbon accumulation in soil than the sole application of biochar or vermicompost in combination with recommended doses of chemical fertilizers.

Keywords: Sweet orange, Vermicompost, Yield, Chemical fertilizers, Bbiochar

Location: Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh

Start Date: 00-00-2017

End Date: 00-00-2018

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Vermicompost and vermiculture, Sweet orange

Objectives:

The present study was carried out to determine the effect of biochar application alone or combined with vermicompost on (i) yield and yield components of sweet orange, ii) physical, chemical and biological properties of soil.

Methodology:

The experiment on the impact of biochar and vermicompost on the sweet orange plant was started at Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Jamalpur during the year 2017-2018. Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L.) (BARI Malta-1) was used for the study. The initial soil samples of the experimental field were collected and analyzed following standard methods. The experiment was conducted to determine the effect of biochar and vermicompost for quality sweet orange production during the fruiting season of 2017-2018. The study was undertaken followed by a Randomized Complete Block (RCB) design with 5 replications. The plants were fertilized in 16 November 2018. Recommended Dose of Chemical Fertilizer for the sweet orange plant was N₁₆₉P₇₉K₈₈S₁₈Zn₃ B₁g tree^-1yr^-1 (3 years old tree). Urea, TSP, MoP, gypsum, zinc sulfate and boric acid were used as a source of N, P, K, S, Zn and B, respectively. All other chemical fertilizers were applied as an initial blanket dose through IPNS basis. Biochar @ 8 kg tree^-1year^-1 and vermicompost @ 4 tree^-1year^-1and biochar+ vermicompost combination @ (4+ 2) kg tree^-1yr^-1 was applied as per treatment. All fertilizer and manure were applied as a ring method around the plant and exclude 1m distance from the tree base. Other intercultural operations were done as per requirement. Imidachloprid (Imitaf @ 0.25 ml L^-1) was applied to reduce leaf miner infestation when a new leaf emerged. Treatments were as follows- T₁= Biochar + IPNS based Chemical fertilizer (N₉₇P₂₀K₁₅S₁₈Zn₃B₁g tree^-1yr^-1); T₂= Vermicompost + IPNS based Chemical fertilizer (N₁₀₈P₄₅K₅₄S₁₈Zn₃B₁g tree^-1yr^-1); T₃= Biochar + Vermicompost + IPNS based Chemical fertilizer (N₁₀₃P₃₂K₃₄S₁₈Zn₃B₁g tree^-1yr^-1); T₄= Chemical fertilizer (N₁₆₉P₇₉K₈₈S₁₈Zn₃B₁g tree^-1yr^-1). Data on vegetative and fruit characters were recorded and analyzed statistically using statistical software STAR which was developed by IRRI. After two years, post-harvest soil samples were collected from 0-15cm depth and analyzed following standard procedures. Carbon stock and Carbon accumulation were calculated using the following formula. Carbon stock (t ha^-1) = Carbon concentration (%) × bulk density (g cm^-3) × depth (cm); Carbon accumulation (t ha^-1) = Final C stock (t ha^-1) - Initial C stock (t ha^-1)

Source of Information: Annual Research Report 2018–2019, Soil Science Division, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The combined use of organic amendment and chemical fertilizer plays an important role in both short-term yield increase and long-term maintenance of soil organic matter compared to chemical fertilizer. From experimental results, it can be seen that T₃ treatment (Biochar + Vermicompost + IPNS based chemical fertilizer) was found to be the most effective in increasing sweet orange yield but biochar performance on soil health not having confirmed during the short period. The experiment should be continued to reach a conclusive decision on improved carbon accumulation and nutrient availability.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings