EVALUATION OF ACIDIFIED BIOCHAR AND FARMYARD MANURE AS SUSTAINABLE SOIL MANAGEMENT AND MAIZE CULTIVATION IN ALKALINE CALCAREOUS SOILS

Poor soil organic matter is a significant problem in arid and semi-arid zones. Shifting trends towards the use of inorganic fertilizers over organic fertilizers have played a massive role in the depletion of soil organic pools. It also induced negative impacts on soil health and fertility status. Conventionally, farmyard manure (FYM) and recently activated carbon biochar are practical solutions. Growers usually discourage using alkaline nature biochar, especially when soil is high in pH. That is why a knowledge gap exists regarding using combined acidified biochar (AB) and FYM. To overcome this, a pot study was conducted. There were three levels of FYM (0M, 15M and 30M) and three levels of acidified biochar (0AB, 0.5AB and 1.0AB). Results confirmed that 30M and 15M remained significantly better than 0M under 1.0AB for improving different soil attributes. A significant increase in total soil N, available soil P, extractable soil K, plant height, 1000 grains weight, grains yield, plant N, P and K were observed where 30M and 1.0AB were applied compared to 0M. Treatment 30M with 1.0AB also played an imperative role in decreasing soil pH and increasing soil organic matter and EC compared to 0M with 1.0AB. In conclusion, 15M and 30M application rates are best when 1.0AB is applied in the soil to improve soil characteristics. To declare 15M and 30M with 1.0AB under different agroclimatic, more investigations are suggested under different soil textures.