Biochar-based Slow-release Nitrogen Fertilizer Performance on Growth and Development of Wheat in Indo-Gangetic Plains

Excessive fertilizer-use post green revolution led to increased crop yields keeping the soil health at stake with nutrient losses, leaching and poor soil health. The current study aimed to evaluate the slow-release fertilizer i.e., biochar-coated nitrogen (BCN) fertilizer on the crop biomass, tillers and plant height of wheat in the Indo-Gangetic Plains in comparison to neem-coated urea (NCU). The field experiment was conducted during the winter season of 2021-22 at NEB-Crop Research Centre, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar, India. The field experiment was designed with 7 fertilizer dosages viz., 100% recommended dose of nitrogen (N) through neem-coated urea (NCU), 125% N–NCU, 125% N–Biochar-coated urea (BCU), 100% N–BCU, 75% N–BCU and 50% N–BCU with 2 sprays of 4% Nano-Urea (NU), and a Control with no nitrogen, replicated thrice under randomized complete block (RCBD) design. Both the BCN and NCU were applied at different nitrogen dosages, with above and below 25% and 50% of the recommended dosage (120:60:40 kg N:P2O5:K2O/ha). The study found that split application of 125% N–BCN resulted in 5.81% to 16.6% increase in plant height at the harvest stage compared to other BCN treatments and a 3.46% to 8.15% increase over nitrogen applied through NCU. For tiller production, 125% N–BCN application led to 3.94% to 12.4% more tillers compared to NCU and 6.61% to 23.7% more than other BCN treatments. Crop biomass accumulation was also higher with 125% N–BCN, showing a 1.44% increase over 125% N–NCU and up to 16.7% more than other BCN doses. The BCN fertilizers proved to be more effective than conventional fertilizers, promoting better nutrient uptake and improved growth rates during critical stages. The study concludes that BCN fertilizers are a promising alternative for sustainable wheat cultivation in the Indo-Gangetic Plains, offering better wheat growth, development and reduced environmental impact, making them suitable for broader agricultural applications.