Corn Cob Biochar Enhances Germination, Seedling Vigor and Yield of Wheat Varieties

Abstract

Biochar (agrichar, ecochar, charcoal) refers to carbon-rich materials which is produced by pyrolysis technique (heating with very limited amount of oxygen or without oxygen) from plant residue and animal residue like plant leaf, crop straw, bark, wheat and rice husk, corn residue and corn cob etc. The present study aimed to explore the enhancement of germination, seedling vigor and yield of wheat varieties through Corn cob biochar. The investigation was conducted during Rabi season 2019-20 in glass house and laboratory of College of Forestry, Ranichauri, V. C. S. G. Uttarakhand University of Horticulture and Forestry, Bharsar, Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand. The experiments were conducted with twelve treatments on different varieties of two crops i.e three varieties of wheat (VL-829, HD-2967, HD-3086) each. Four doses of corn cob biochar (control, 10 t/ha, 20 t/ha and 30 t/ha) were administered under the study and three experiments (viz. i. Soil less petri-dish bioassay, ii. Experiment in germination trays iii. Pot experiment) were laid in two factorial Completely Randomized Design. A preliminary investigation under the soil-less petri dish bioassay revealed that wheat variety **HD-3086 (V3) exhibited the highest germination (97.93%) and speed of germination (86.80%), indicating its superior early growth potential. The varieties V1 and V2 recorded higher Vigour Index I and II, respectively. In the second experiment conducted in soil and biochar mixtures, significant improvements were observed under B1 (10 t/ha biochar) treatment, where germination percentage, root length (2.21 cm), shoot length (5.35 cm), seedling length (7.63 cm), fresh weight (1.61 g), dry weight (0.34 g), seedling vigour index I (686.63), and II (32.26) were all enhanced. Among the varieties, V3 showed higher germination percentage, root–shoot ratio, and vigour index II, whereas V1 (VL-829) recorded the highest root, shoot, and seedling lengths along with vigour index I. The seedling fresh and dry weights were significantly higher in V2 (HD-2967). In the pot experiment, V2 showed the maximum number of leaves at 90 DAS, highest uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus in grains, and maximum grain yield. Overall, wheat variety HD-3086 responded more favorably to corn cob biochar for germination and seedling growth, while HD-2967 gave the highest yield. The 10 t/ha biochar dose was found most effective for wheat growth and productivity.