Effect of biochar application on growth and yield of rabi sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.)

Abstract

A field experiment titled “Effect of biochar application on growth and yield of rabi sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.)” was conducted during the rabi 2024 season at the Agricultural Research Station, Siruguppa. The study comprised eight treatments, including a control, RDF alone, and RDF combined with varying levels of farmyard manure (FYM) and biochar, laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The results revealed that RDF + 75% FYM + 25% Biochar (T6) recorded the highest performance, producing a grain yield of 3314 kg ha⁻¹ and stover yield of 6680 kg ha⁻¹, along with enhanced growth parameters such as plant height (215.6 cm), leaf area (3545 cm² plant⁻¹) and leaf area index (5.25). Yield attributes like spike length (21.2 cm) and grain weight per spike (27.8 g) were also significantly improved. Furthermore, T6 enhanced soil nutrient status, recording higher available nitrogen (258.3 kg ha⁻¹), phosphorus (43.8 kg ha⁻¹), and potassium (361.6 kg ha⁻¹) levels. Economically, T6 provided the highest gross returns (₹121,438 ha⁻¹), while T4 (RDF + 100% FYM @ 3.0 t ha⁻¹) yielded the maximum net returns (₹78,287 ha⁻¹) and benefit-cost ratio (3.15). Hence, the T6 treatment proved most effective in enhancing yield, profitability, and soil fertility under rabi sorghum cultivation.