Integrated use of weed-derived biochar and inorganic fertilisers enhances growth, physiology and yield of wheat under rainfed subtropical conditions

A field experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2023–24 at the ACRA Research Farm, Jammu, to evaluate the potential of converting invasive weeds into biochar for improving wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) productivity under rainfed subtropical conditions. A total of 16 treatments including Lantana camara L. and Adhatoda vasica Nees biochar at 2, 4 and 6 t ha-¹ combined with 50 % or 100 % recommended dose of fertilisers (RDF), farmyard manure (FYM) treatments and an absolute control were evaluated in a randomized block design (RBD). Application of L. camara biochar at 6 t ha-¹ with 100 % RDF recorded the highest grain yield (4129.81 kg ha-¹), statistically at par with A. vasica biochar at 6 t ha-¹ with 100 % RDF (4081.95 kg ha-¹) and Lantana biochar at 6 t ha-¹ with 50 % RDF (4006.63 kg ha-¹). High-dose biochar treatments significantly improved plant height, tiller count, leaf area index, dry matter accumulation and SPAD chlorophyll values. Weed-derived biochar at 6 t ha-¹ is an effective strategy to manage invasive weeds while enhancing rainfed wheat yield, enabling a 50 % reduction in inorganic fertiliser use without yield penalty.