Effect of Biochar Application on Soil Properties and Quality Parameters in Cotton

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of biochar on soil properties, growth parameters and crop productivity in cotton Bt- RCH 530 in a clay soil at eastern block (field No. 36-B) of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University experimental farm, Coimbatore during 2011-12. The experiment was carried out in Split plot Design with five levels of biochar (0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10 t ha^-1) and two levels of fertilizers (75 and 100% recommended dose of N, P, K ha^-1) with and without FYM in three replications. The results indicated that addition of biochar to clay soil not only increased the yield of cotton but also improved the soil physio chemical properties like bulk density, particle density, porosity, hydraulic conductivity, rate of infiltration, pH, EC and organic carbon content in the post-harvest soil as well enhanced the cotton quality.