Effects of Biochar on Yield of Chilli, and Soil Chemical Properties

Aims: To examine the effects of different doses of biocharon the yield of chili and soil chemical properties under the Samtenling condition which represents the wet-subtropical agro-climatic zone of Bhutan.

Study Design: Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used for the study with three replications and five treatments.

Place and Duration of Study: Agriculture Research and Development Centre (ARDC), Samtenling, Sarpang district located in southern Bhutan, between October 2020 and May 2021.

Methodology: Composite soil samples were collected before and after biochar addition and their chemical properties were analyzed at Soil and Plant Analytical Laboratory (SPAL), National Soil Services Centre, Thimphu. One hybrid variety (sv2319HA) of chili was used in all the treatments with five different biochar doses (No biochar addition, biochar addition @ 0.8 t acre-1, 1.6 t acre-1, 3.2 t acre-1, and 4.9 t acre-1). Growth and yield data of chili were collected and analyzed using the multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) at P = .05using R studio team (2021), version 1.4.1103.

Results: The yield of chilli significantly differed (P = .03) under different doses of biochar but variations in growth were insignificant except the number of branches (P = .03). Overall, the yield of chili increased from 0.3 t acre-1 to 0.9 t acre-1 with an increase in biochar rates from 0.8 t acre-1 to 3.2 t acre-1. Biochar addition of 3.2 t acre-1 significantly increased the yield of chili (0.95 t acre-1) as compared to control (0.346 t acre-1). Soil pH, % nitrogen, available P (mg kg-1), available K (mg kg-1), CEC, % BS, and % organic matter increased with increasing quantities of rice husk biochar.

Conclusion: The different doses of biochar addition to the soil had a significantly positive impact on the yield of chili as it also improved the soil’s chemical properties. The addition of 3.2 t acre-1of biochar may be recommended as per the study since the maximum yield of chilli was recorded in soil treated with biochar @3.2t acre-1.