Indian Journal of Agricultural Research

A field experiment was conducted with maize hybrid NK6240 at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during rabi 2010–2011 on an Inceptisol to evaluate the effect of biochar on yield, NPK uptake and fertility status of the soil. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design (RBD) with 12 treatments and replicated thrice. The results revealed that Integrated Plant Nutrition System (IPNS) i.e. application of biochar @ 10 t ha⁻¹ along with the recommended dose of NPK (250:75:75 kg ha⁻¹) + FYM @ 12.5 t ha⁻¹ and Azospirillum @ 2 kg ha⁻¹ had recorded significantly higher yield and NPK uptake with sustained soil fertility. Further, the study clearly broughtforth the fact that for increased productivity of maize with sustained soil fertility, application of biochar must be coupled with either IPNS or recommended dose of NPK fertilisers.