Biochar Integrated Nutrient Application Improves Crop Productivity, Sustainability and Profitability of Maize–Wheat Cropping System

Naeem Sarwar (), Naseem Abbas, Omer Farooq, Muhammad Akram, Muhammad Waqar Hassan, Khuram Mubeen, Atique-ur Rehman, Muhammad Shehzad, Matlob Ahmad and Abdul Khaliq
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Naeem Sarwar: Department of Agronomy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan
Naseem Abbas: Department of Agronomy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan
Omer Farooq: Department of Agronomy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan
Muhammad Akram: Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari Campus Pakistan, Vehari 61100, Pakistan
Muhammad Waqar Hassan: Department of Entomology, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan
Khuram Mubeen: Department of Agronomy, MNS University of Agriculture, Multan 66000, Pakistan
Atique-ur Rehman: Department of Agronomy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan
Muhammad Shehzad: Department of Agronomy, University of Poonch Rawalakot, Rawalakot 12350, Pakistan
Matlob Ahmad: Department of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan 32200, Pakistan
Abdul Khaliq: Soil and Water Testing Laboratory, Kotla Ahmad Road, Rajanpur 33500, Pakistan

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 3, 1-14

Abstract: Enhancing cereal crop production to feed the largely growing population is an important approach towards maintaining food security. Fertilizer management is the major component of crop production requiring special attention for sustainable application. Integrated nutrient management (INM) is an evolving idea, which appears to contribute to sustainable nutrient management. A field study was designed to see the impact of INM on a maize–wheat cropping system during winter (wheat) and summer (maize) season at Agronomic Research Farm, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Pakistan. Both wheat and maize crops were grown consecutively along with full inorganic fertilizer (NPK) as well as with partial dose of fertilizer (25%, 50%, 75% NPK) supplemented with or without the addition of biochar (5 ton/ha). Data were collected regarding crop growth, yield and quality and further analyzed using MSTAT-C statistics software. Results revealed that the INM approach (75% of NPK + Biochar) enabled crops to improve dry matter production and its translocation towards sink which in turn boosted the crop productivity. This treatment improved dry matter (19%, 57%), grain weight (44%, 54%), grain yield (60%, 63%) and harvest index (30%, 29%) over the control in maize and wheat crops. It also improved the nutrient uptake in the plants which in turn improved the nutrient contents in the grains. Similarly, crops recorded higher system productivity (USD 790, USD 830) in both years and were found to be economically sustainable under INM. It was concluded that an INM strategy (75% of NPK + Biochar) can improve the productivity and sustainability of a maize–wheat cropping system to maintain the food security.

Keywords: food security; sustainable crop production; integrated soil fertility; cropping system; biochar; dry matter partitioning; crop yield (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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