Biochar Effects on Soil Properties and Maize Crop in Kavrepalanchok District of Nepal

Soil amendments are used on agricultural land to improve soil quality and crop productivity. This preliminary study was conducted to evaluate the effect of biochar application on maize crop yields and soil properties on a hill farm in eastcentral Nepal. Plots established on a farm field were amended at 2 t/ha, 4 t/ha and 8 t/ha of biochar produced from grasses and weeds. feedstock along with a control that did not receive biochar. Each treatment and the control were assigned randomly to four replicate plots for a total of sixteen 3 m2 plots. The results indicated that biochar amendment significantly increased the SOC and TN contents of the treated soils, with 8 t/ha of applied biochar having the most notable effects. In addition, the soil pH showed a slight increase, which was beneficial for the acidic soil studied. Although growth rates and maize yield differences were not statistically significantly for the biochar treated plots, an increasing trend was seen for mean growth rates and grain yields. Longer-term studies are needed to establish conclusive effects of biochar soil amendment on crop yields.