Vol. 12, Issue 12 (2023)

Author(s):
JS Chavan, RV Dhopavkar, MC Kasture, YR Parulekar, VG More, SB Dodake, NA Meshram, SS More, BV Borane and NS Shinde

Abstract:
The study on “Effect of various crop residue biochar on soil carbon pools and yield of watermelon in Alfisols of Konkan” conducted at the College of Horticulture, Dapoli, during the Rabi season 2022 focused on the impact of three biochars rice husk biochar (RHB), coconut husk biochar (CHB), and areca nut husk biochar (AHB) on soil carbon pools under watermelon crop in Alfisols of Konkan. Fourteen treatments combining two biochar levels (2, 4 ton ha^-1) and two levels of recommended dose of fertilizer (100% and 75%) were examined using a randomized block design with three replications. The experimental soil was sandy loam, moderately acidic with high organic carbon, medium nitrogen availability, low phosphorus availability, and elevated potassium content. Application of biochar, recognized for its recalcitrant nature, resulted in carbon sequestration in soil. Biochar enhanced soil carbon pools, including organic carbon, water-soluble carbon, labile carbon, microbial biomass carbon, inorganic carbon, and total carbon, at different watermelon growth stages and yield of watermelon.