Effect of organic resources and Subabul (Leucaena leucocephala) biochar on competitive ability of barley crop in acidic soil

Abstract

Soil amendment with organic resources is currently proposed as a management strategy to improve soil quality and enhance crop productivity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of organic resources, farmyard manure (FYM) and Subabul (Leucaena Leucocephala) biochar along with inorganic fertilizers on the competitive ability of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) biomass production. The treatments included thirteen selected combination of organic, inorganic and biochar. The experiment was led out in a completely randomized design with three replications in Alfisols. Results revealed that barley biomass yield and some yield components significantly responded to the FYM and biochar applications. The highest total fresh biomass yield (32.6 g pot-1) and dry biomass yield (6.18 g pot-1) were obtained from application of soil + NPK + FYM 1% + Biochar 3% (T13) as compared to control (17.5 g pot-1) T1. The treatments T11 (31.3 g pot-1) and T12 (32.4 g pot-1) both were recorded significantly at par to each other and significantly higher over control (T1). We conclude that application of organic amendments optimizes biomass of barley plants.