Synergistic effect of paddy straw biochar along with organic amendments on soil properties and nutrient uptake by field bean

The study was carried out to evaluate the effect of paddy straw biochar along with organic amendments on soil properties and nutrient uptake by field bean. The experiment comprised of 19 treatments with 5 replications. Biochar doses of 8, 10, and 12 t/ha were applied in combination with organic amendments such as farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost (VC), Ghanajeevamruth (GA) and their various combinations. The present investigation reveals that addition of biochar along with organic amendments led to a notable enhancement in the water holding capacity (43.26 %) and decreased bulk density of post-harvest soil (1.34 Mg m-3). Moreover, the soil pH (7.79), electrical conductivity (0.17 dS m-1), organic carbon (0.57 %), primary nutrients (N, P2O5, K2O) and secondary nutrients (Ca, Mg, S) demonstrated a significant increase, although no much significant difference in the micronutrient status of the post-harvest soil was observed. There was a substantial rise in the uptake of major, secondary nutrients and micronutrients in treatment T17, which received 12 t ha-1 biochar + farmyard manure + vermicompost and exhibited an increase in plant nutrient concentration and total nutrient uptake compared to control (T19). This findings confirm that integrated use of biochar with organic manures (FYM + vermicompost) is an effective strategy for improving soil fertility and plant nutrition.