The Benefits of Biochar on Rice Growth and Yield in Tropical Riparian Wetland, South Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstract

Biochar improves soil quality. However, most biochar research has focused on aerobic soil conditions. The objective of this research was to evaluate the agronomic benefits of applying biochar on unfertilized rice crop, cultivated under transitional anaerobic soil conditions during early vegetative growth phase, and gradually drying out to fully aerobic at harvest time. This transitional condition is typical during the rice growing season of the tropical riparian wetlands in Indonesia. Biochar was applied in the form of fine powder at rates of 0, 0.4, 0.8, and 1.2 Mg.ha -1 ; no inorganic fertilizer was applied. The research was conducted on a farmer's paddy field at Pemulutan Ulu Village, South Sumatra, Indonesia from July to November 2016. Results indicated that applying biochar at rates up to 1.2 Mg.ha -1 increased rice yield, but restrained shoot elongation rate and plant height. During the vegetative growth phase, applying biochar significantly increased the number of tillers, leaves, shoot dry weight, and root dry weight. Biochar significantly affected the following yield components: number of tillers, percentage of productive tiller, number of grains per panicle, panicle density, percentage of filled grain, and weight of 1,000 grains.

Decaying Utricularia-biomass versus soil-based substrate for production of high quality pre-transplanted rice seedlings using floating seedbeds

“…However, this could be an indication that differences in number of leaves might become significant during later stage of vegetative growth. Lakitan et al (2018) found that number of leaves at late vegetative growth stage was higher in rice plants grown on biochar-treated soil. Kartika et al (2018a) also reported that biochar affected leaf area ratio.…”

“…Therefore, cropping intensity is low (Kartika et al, 2018a). Rice growing season at this ecosystem is started after floodwater has subsided to less than 15 cm and harvested during dry season (Lakitan et al, 2018). Rice seedlings should be transplanted to paddy field as early as possible to avoid drought stress during reproductive growth phase at the end of growing season (Kartika et al, 2018b).…”

Komunitas serangga hama padi rawa lebak yang ditanam dengan berbagai jarak tanam

“…Di rawa lebak di Sumatra Selatan, petani lokal melakukan teknik budi daya yang spesifik lokasi. Umumnya, mereka melakukan tanam pindah, yang dimulai dari pengolahan tanah yang maksimal (full tillage), penyemaian benih padi, lalu bibit berumur 7 hari dipindahtanamankan (transplanting) ke lahan (direbukkan) dan dibiarkan tumbuh selama 14 hari di sawah, yang akhirnya siap ditandur (Lakitan et al 2018). Saat padi ditandur, umumnya petani lokal menggunakan jarak tanam tegel (25 cm x 25 cm).…”

Effect of Biochar on Peat Soil Fertility and NPK Uptake by Corn

“…The combination of biochar and compost has shown favorable effects to increase infiltration and water retention, nutrient cycling and C sequestration in peat soil (Kern et al, 2017). Biochar can increase the growth and yield of rice plants on peatlands (Lakitan et al, 2018;Maftuah & Indrayati, 2013). However, the information on the role of biochar in peatlands, especially to increase the fertility and uptake of N, P, K nutrient by plants are limited.…”