EFFECT OF BIOCHAR ON GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF POTATO

Abstract

The present experiment was carried out in the research field of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU), Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka-1207 during the period from November, 2016 to March, 2017 in Rabi season. The objective was to observe the effect of biochar on the yield and quality of potato and to find out the optimum dose of biochar along with inorganic fertilizer. The experiment comprised of 8 treatments as T (Recommended Fertilizer Dose); T 3 1 = Control, T = RFD + Biochar @ 5 ton ha = RFD + Biochar @ 10 ton ha -1 ; T 5 = ⅔ of RFD + Biochar @ 5 tonha -1 = ⅔ of RFD + Biochar @ 10 ton ha -1 ; T 7 = ½ of RFD + Biochar @ 5 ton ha ; T = ½ of RFD + Biochar @ 10 ton ha -1 . The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The tested variety was BARI ALU-7 (Daimant). Data were recorded on different yield attributes, growth and quality of potato and nutrient status of postharvest soil. The collected data were statistically analyzed for evaluation of the treatment effect. Results showed that a significant variation among the treatments in respect majority of the observed parameters. The maximum plant height was recorded from RFD + Biochar @ 10 ton ha -1 1 , number of tubers hill -1 6 -1 -1 2 = RFD ; T ; T treatment. The highest number of stem hill , weight of tubers g hill -1 was found from biochar 5 ton biochar ha -1 treatment. The maximum yield of tubers (34.10 ton ha ) was produced from RFD + Biochar @ 5 ton ha -1 treatment. The minimum yield of tubers (16.60 t ha -1 ) was produced from control treatment. The maximum data of quality parameters like % dry matter content (23.41), specific gravity (1.065) was also recorded in RFD + Biochar @ 5 ton ha -1 treatment. From postharvest soil analysis, the highest organic carbon (0.89%), organic matter (1.52%) was recorded in ½ of RFD + Biochar @ 10 ton ha -1 treatment. From this study, it may be concluded that biochar had significant positive response for the improving growth, yield and quality of potato and also fertility of the postharvest soil was improved apprehensively due to application of biochar along with inorganic fertilizers.