Microbial Enriched Biochar Levels and Fertilizer Doses on Soil Chemical Properties under Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) Production

Abstract

Intensive cultivation of vegetables and imbalanced fertilization depleted the soil nutrients and caused low yield with poor quality crops. A novel microbial enriched biochar and fertilizer combination could alleviate the soil and nutrient stress. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted with 14 treatments [4 levels of biochar (5, 7.5,10, 15 t ha-1), 3 doses of fertilizers (50, 75,100% of recommended) along with without biochar and absolute control] in spinach production. This study was conducted with randomized block designed and replicated three times in trial plot at BAIF, Central Research Station, Pune during 2020-2021.  Maximum growth parameters (plant height, leaf length, leaf width and petiole length) were recorded in (T4) with Biochar @ 10 tha-1 + 75% of RDF followed by in (T7) Biochar @ 7.5 tha-1 +50% of RDF. Whereas, the highest Spinach yield (18.58 tha-1) was recorded under (T4) Biochar @ 10 tha-1 + 75 % of RDF followed by (T3) Biochar @ 7.5 tha-1 + 75 % of RDF recorded (17.93 tha-1). The treatment (T1) @ 100 % RDF has registered as superior from an economic point of view. Furthermore, the minimum values of growth and yield were recorded under absolute control. Based on the above results it is concluded that the combined application of microbial enriched biochar(10t ha-1) and fertilizers (75% of recommended dose) enhanced the nutrient availability to spinach for maximum growth and yield.