Advisor: LAHARIA, Dr. G.S.Authors: FANDI, VIKRAM SHIVSHANKAR.2022-03-232022-03-232022-11-26Citation: FANDI, VIKRAM SHIVSHANKAR (2021). Impact of biochar on soil properties and yield of maize grown in vertisol. Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola. M. Sc. 2021. Print. xiii, 89p. (unpublished).https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810183742Description: The research work was carried out on the Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra during Kharif, 2020-21. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with eight treatments and three replications. The variety adopted was Advanta (Maize).Abstract: The present investigation entitled, “Impact of biochar on soil properties and yield of maize grown in vertisol” was conducted on the Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Dr. PDKV, Akola during Kharif, 2020-21. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with eight treatments and three replications. The treatments comprised of control, various levels of nitrogen and their combinations with 2.5 and 5.0 t ha-1 biochar. The soil of experimental site was vertisol which was moderately alkaline in reaction, non-saline, medium in organic carbon, calcareous in nature, low in available nitrogen, low in available phosphorus and high in available potassium. On the basis of results obtained, significantly higher grain (45.33 q ha-1) and straw yield (74.57 q ha-1) of maize were recorded with the application of 125% RDN+ Biochar 5.0 t ha-1. Significantly highest content, total uptake of N (160.72 kg ha-1), P (27.02 kg ha-1) & K (132.44 kg ha-1) by maize were recorded with the application of 125% RDN + biochar 5 t ha-1. The test weight (27.43 g) and protein content (12.19%) were also significantly higher with the application of 125% RDN + biochar 5 t ha-1. Whereas the carbohydrate and crude fiber content by maize grain were found non-significant. Soil physical and chemical properties like water holding capacity (55.35%), organic carbon (6.48 g kg-1), available nitrogen (249.33 kg ha-1), phosphorus (21.63 kg ha-1) and potassium (358 kg ha-1) in soil after harvest of maize were significantly higher with the application of 125 % RDN + Biochar 5 t ha-1. Whereas the bulk density, electrical conductivity and pH of soil were found non-significant by the various treatment. Higher application rates of biochar showed slight increase in micronutrients (Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn) but, statistically were found non-significant by the various treatments in the biochar applied soil. Higher the dose of biochar applied, higher the SOC stock (14.87 Mg ha-1) and nutrient (N, P and K) use efficiency were recorded. From the present investigation, it can be concluded that, the soil application of 100% RDN + Biochar 5 t ha-1 favorably influenced the yield, uptake of nutrients, quality of maize as well as improved the soil properties and SOC stock.EnglishThesis