RESPONSE OF POTATO YIELD AND QUALITY TO BIOCHAR AND ITS EFFECT ON SOIL PROPERTIES

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out at the experimental plot of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka-1207 during the period from November, 2021 to March, 2022 in Rabi season to find out the effect of biochar on yield and quality of potato tuber. In this experiment test crop variety was Diamant. The experiment comprised of the following 9 treatments as T = Control (No chemical fertilizer and biochar), T 2 = RFD (Recommended Fertilizer Dose), T ii

1 = RFD + Biochar @ 1 t ha -1 , T 4 = RFD + Biochar @ 1.5 t ha -1 , T 5 3 = RFD + Biochar @ 2 t ha = 75% of RFD + Biochar @ 1 t ha -1 , T 7 = 75% of RFD + Biochar @ 1.5 t ha = 75% of RFD + Biochar @ 2 t ha -1 and T 9 = No chemical fertilizer + Biochar @ 2 t ha . The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Data were recorded on different yield attributes, yield and quality of potato and nutrient status of postharvest soil and significant variation was recorded for different treatments. The maximum plant height (18.33, 35.28 and 56.94 cm) at 20, 40 and 60 DAP respectively) was recorded from T 3 -1 -1 , T , T 8 treatment (RFD + Biochar @ 1 t ha ). Biochar appeared to be a potential source of organic amendment. Tuber yield and quality of potato significantly increased when biochar was applied in combination with inorganic fertilizers. The maximum yield of tubers (29.77 t ha -1 6 -1 ) was recorded from T

treatment (RFD + Biochar @ 1 t ha -1 ) and the maximum marketable yield (71.67%) was recorded from T 5 treatment (RFD + Biochar @ 2 t ha -1 ). The fertility and quality of soil also improved to a great extent. From this study, it was found that biochar had significant positive response for improving yield and quality of potato and also fertility of the postharvest soil apprehensively due to application of biochar along with recommended inorganic fertilizers.