Vol. 12, Issue 12 (2023)

Author(s):
Ishwarya laxmi V, Dr. Y Reddi Ramu, Dr. V Sumathi, Dr. MVS Naidu, Dr. P Sudhakar and Dr. V Chandrika

Abstract:
The field experiment was conducted during rabi, 2021 and 2022 at Sri Venkateswara Agricultural College Dryland Farm, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. The experimental soil was sandy loamy in texture, neutral in soil reaction, low in organic carbon and nitrogen, high in available phosphorous and medium in available potassium. Experiment was conducted in split plot design with three replications. Three main plots, treatment consisted of levels of biochar viz., control (No biochar) (B₁), Biochar 2.5 t ha^-1 (B₂) and Biochar 5 t ha^-1 (B₃) and six sub plots consisting of real time nitrogen management practices viz., RDN (240 kg N ha^-1) (N₁), based on LCC value < 5 (N₂), based on SCMR value <50 (N₃), Based on NDVI value (N₄), based on SSNM nutrient expert (N₅) and based on soil test value (STBR) (N₆). This study focuses on the characterization of redgram stalk biochar produced through heap method of pyrolysis, studied for their Physico-chemical and spectral properties. pH of the biochar was 9.12, 9.17 and electrical conductivity value of biochar were 2.57, 2.56 and CEC of biochar ranges 45, 47 during 2021 and 2022 respectively. The nutrient composition of biochar indicates that biochar is rich in nutrients viz., nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and mainly carbon. The unique nature of biochar typical honey comb like structures present in the redgram stalk biochar analysed through SEM micrographs revealed the relatively porous nature of biochar. The biochar has the potential to enhance soil fertility and contribute to environment sustainability in agricultural system.