IMPACT OF BIOCHAR BASE ORGANIC AMENDMENT ON MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES AND YIELD OF POTATO (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Abstract

The present research was undertaken to analyze the impact of biochar-based organic amendment on the growth and yield of the potato crop. Results revealed that all the morphological, growth and yield attributing parameters were significantly affected except the emergence percentage (p > 0.05). Among all the thirteen treatment combinations of biochar base organic amendment, treatment T₄ i.e.  [25% RDF + 75% (BM+VC+PM) + 40% Biochar)] resulted in maximum emergence percentage, plant height (cm), LAI, days to maturity, no. of haulm plant^-1, average weight of tuber plant^-1and yield of tuber q ha^-1 while minimum was recorded under T₁ [Control]. The data related to % increase/decrease concerning control also showed that emergence % was rapid under T₄ (+0.86%). Therefore, treatment combination of biochar base organic amendment consisting of [25% RDF + 75% (BM+VC+PM) + 40% Biochar)] may be recommended to farmers for achieve best results in terms of potato growth and production.