Saraswat, ShwetaPandey, Ashutosh2021-11-242021-11-242021-10https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810178257A pot experiment was conducted at Department of Environmental science, College of Basic Sciences & Humanities, G.B Pant University of Agriculture and Technology Pantnagar, Uttarakhand with the objective to study the effects of poultry litter biochar on soil chemical characteristics and growth of Baby corn (Zea mays L.) as well as economic analysis for the application of poultry litter biochar (PLB) on plant growth during spring season 2021. The pot experiment included 4 treatment and 6 replications. The results revealed that application of 75% RDF + 132 g PLB recorded higher plant parameter viz. plant height, number of leaves, width of leaf, crop growth rate, relative growth rate, cob yield, net returns and benefit cost ratio observed significantly higher in T4 while lowest was recorded in T1 that received (100% RDF). However, significantly higher protein content (13.64g/100g) were recorded in T4 (75% RDF+132 g PLB) which was found at par with T3 (13.51g/100g). The lowest crude protein was recorded in T1 (control). The chemical analysis of PLB indicated that it was highly alkaline in nature with pH (9.5), medium in salt content with an electrical conductivity 0.15 (dSm-1), total Carbon (43.4%), nitrogen (1.56%), phosphorus (0.07%) and potassium (0.05%). The chemical properties of soil differed significantly due to the application of varied levels of poultry litter biochar. In the present investigation soil pH (7.15), EC (0.25 dSm-1), Organic carbon (0.73%), available nitrogen (173.83 kg/ha), available phosphorous (22.82 kg/ha) and available potassium (161.17 kg/ha) were significantly higher in treatment T4 (75% RDF+132 g PLB) while the lowest was recorded in treatment T1 (100 % RDF). Significantly higher value of DTPA extractable zinc (0.68 mg/kg) and DTPA extractable Iron (4.30 mg/kg) was noticed in treatment T4 (75 % RDF + 132 g PLB), however did not showed any significant variation in soil after harvest of Baby corn. Application of poultry litter biochar (PLB) in to the soil decreased the soil acidity and improved the EC, soil organic carbon and soil nutrient status (available N, available P and available K) as a result the growth (plant height, number of plant leaf, Length and width of leaves, crop growth rate and protein content), yield and nutrient uptake of Baby corn increased as compared to fertilizers. Therefore 3 kg/pot soil amendment with 75% RDF and 132 g PLB can be used to increase its fertility, plant growth and further research is needed to be done in same. PLB might be a promising organic fertilizer with high nutrient composition. This will provide long-term productivity and eco-friendly management strategy for sustainable agriculture.EnglishThesis