Do varied biochar quality parameters influence on maize growth and yield

In recent years, there has been a substantial increase in the widespread application of agrochemicals to enhance crop yields, there by posing a considerable risk to soil health. In this regard, biochar application has gained considerable interest due to its potential to enhance crop growth and yield and reducing use of agrochemicals. However, there is limited understanding how biochar produced at different temperature with varied quality parameters affects crop growth and yield. To study the impact of biochars from Simarouba seed coat produced at different pyrolysis temperatures (300 [BC₃₀₀], 400[BC₄₀₀], and 500°C [BC₅₀₀]), on maize growth and yield parametersa polyhouse pot experiment was conducted comprising 13 treatments with 3 replications each. Results showed that,T₅ (75% RDF + BC₃₀₀ + 25% Simarouba cake on N basis + SSP), exhibited significantly higher plant height, number of leaves and leaf area plant^-1 at 60 and 90 DAS, ultimately improving cob length (16.93 cm), cob girth (12.78 cm), number of seedscob^-1 (474.90), test weight of kernels (24.03 g), grain yieldplant^-1 (114.09 g), and total dry matter production plant^-1 (207.21 g).Grain and stover yield ha^-1 was calculated to be significantly higher in T₅ (6339 and 7762 kg respectively).25% RDF, 75% Simarouba cake on N basis and SSP when applied with BC₃₀₀(T₁₁) showed significantly higher organic carbon (0.51%), nitrogen (312.48 kg ha^-1), phosphorous (24.87 kg ha^-1), and secondary nutrient contents. Conversely, with BC₃ (T₁₃) significantly improved bulk density (1.38 dS m^-1), water holding capacity (42.98%) and potassium content (270.16 kg ha^-1) was found in post-harvest soil.