Author(s): K. VIKRAM, A. JAYAPAL, P. S. PILLAI, S. R. ISAAC AND V. MINI

Abstract: An experiment was conducted with an aim to ‘characterize biochar produced from different agro-wastes’ during 2020-2021 at Onattukara Regional Agricultural Research Station, Kayamkulam, Alappuzha, Kerala. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design, comprised with five treatments and replicated four times. The treatments were t₁ (biochar produced from rice stubbles), t₂ (biochar produced from rice husk), t₃ (biochar produced from tender coconut husk), t₄ (biochar produced from coir waste) and t₅ (biochar produced from banana waste). Among the biochar produced from different agro-wastes, recovery percentage (23.52%), pH (9.89), EC (0.013 dS m-1), total N content (0.95%) and total Cu (0.32 mg ha^-1) were significantly higher in t3. Water holding capacity was significantly higher in t₄ (235.74%) and was found to be on par with t₃ (232.34%). The CEC was significantly higher in t₁ (16.60 (cmol (+) kg^-1) and was on par with t₃ and t₅. The total K (1.54%) and total Ca (0.67%) content was found to be significantly higher in t₅. The total iron content was significantly higher in t₄ (108.83 mg kg^-1). The total Mn was superior in t₁ (10.42 mg kg^-1 respectively). Based on the findings of the experiment, treatment t₃ (biochar produced from tender coconut husk) was identified as superior to the other biochars.

DOI: 10.22271/09746315.2024.v20.i1.1754

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