Biochar-mediated improvements in soil fertility and wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) productivity in the Indo-Gangetic Plains long-term benefits of biochar on soil fertility and wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) productivity in the Indo-Gangetic Plains

BACKGROUND: The annual burning of 500-900 million tons of crop residues releases nearly 1.5 billion tons of CO₂ equivalents and severely degrades soil quality, causing 25-30% losses in soil organic carbon and 40-60% reductions in nitrogen. This unsustainable practice increases fertilizer requirements by 15-20% to sustain crop yields. Converting crop residues into biochar offers a sustainable alternative that mitigates air pollution, improves soil fertility, enhances carbon sequestration, and increases agricultural productivity. AIM: This study evaluated the effect of biochar application on soil properties, wheat growth, and yield performance. METHODS: A two-year field experiment was conducted on wheat (PBW 824) at the Agriculture Research Farm of Lovely Professional University, Punjab, India. Treatments included a control, recommended fertilizer doses, nitrogen and phosphorus alone, and nitrogen and phosphorus combined with rice husk or rice straw biochar applied at 5, 10, and 15 t/ha. RESULTS: Biochar application significantly improved crop performance, with the most pronounced effects observed under RSB & RHB doses at 5 t/ha. Compared to non-biochar treatments, this rate increased plant height (12.8%), tillers (49.8%), leaf area index (43.3%), crop growth rate (25.4%), spike length (34.2%), grains per spike (40.6%), test weight (19.6%), biological yield (17.2%), grain yield (32.8%), and harvest index (13.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Application of biochar at 5 t/ha is an effective and sustainable strategy for enhancing soil physical properties, nutrient availability, plant growth, and wheat productivity, while improving soil moisture retention and reducing soil hardness.