Impact of biochar on nutrient uptake by tomato, residual soil properties and acidity indices in acid Inceptisol of Meghalaya

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the impact of biochar as component of integrated nutrient management on nutrient uptake by tomato in acid soil of Meghalaya, North East India. Methodology: A field experiment was conducted at research farm of SNRM, College of Post Graduate Studies in Agricultural Sciences (CPGS-AS), Central Agricultural University (CAU-I), Umiam during rabi 2017-18 taking tomato, cv. Megha Tomato-2 as test crop. Sixteen treatment combinations of recommended closes of fertilizers, biochar and vermicompost? were tested in RBD with three replications.? Results: The experimental results revealed that combined application of biochar, fertilizers and vermicompost increased the uptake and availableof N, P, K, Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu over graded doses of biochar + fertilizers, biochar alone and control. Electrical conductivity, bulk density, exchangeable acidity, exchangeable aluminium and acid saturation followed the same trend.? Interpretation: The 100% RDF + biochar 4 t ha-1 + vermicompost @ 2.5 t ha-1 is the most appropriate combination for increasing tomato productivity and improving soil health of acidic soil in Meghalaya.