Influence of microbial enriched biochar as soil amendment on growth, yield and economics of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) and soil fertility

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at BAIF Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Chaswad in the Bharuch district of Gujarat, to evaluate the effects of microbial-enriched biochar on the growth, yield and economics of okra, as well as its impact on soil properties and nutrient uptake under different fertilizer regimes. The study, carried out over two years (2023 and 2024), involved seven treatments combining microbial-enriched biochar with varying doses of farmyard manure (FYM) and recommended doses of fertilizers (RDF), arranged in a randomized block design. Pooled data from the two years revealed that the application of 5 t ha⁻¹ biochar with 20 t ha⁻¹ FYM and 75% RDF significantly enhanced plant height (70.52 cm) at last picking, fruit weight per plant (233.20 g), number of fruits per plant (20.07) and pod yield (20.99 tha-1) compared to RDF alone. Soil properties, including organic carbon, pH, and nutrient availability, improved with the application of enriched biochar and FYM. Nutrient uptake was also higher in treatments combining biochar with FYM. Economic analysis demonstrated that integrating biochar and FYM resulted in higher gross and net monetary returns, underscoring the sustainability and economic viability of this approach. The findings suggest that microbial-enriched biochar, when combined with organic amendments, can enhance soil health, improve crop productivity, and optimize economic returns in okra cultivation.