Effects of rice husk biochar and sugarcane bagasse fertilizer on the chemical and biological properties of soil and the productivity of hybrid maize

Addition of biochar or organic fertilizers to the soil is very beneficial for enhancing the soil's quality and promoting plant development. The objective of this study was to identify the effects of applying biochar and sugarcane bagasse fertilizer alone or in combination on the improvement in soil properties and the productivity of hybrid maize in two consecutive crops. Field experiments were carried out in completely randomized block design with four treatments and five replications on Autumn 2020 and Summer 2021 crops. Treatments were control without application of rice husk biochar or sugarcane bagasse, application of 10 ton/ha of biochar, application of 10 tons/ha of sugarcane bagasse and combined 5 tons/ha of biochar and 5 tons/ha of sugarcane bagasse. The results in two consecutive crops showed that application of biochar, sugarcane bagasse fertilizer alone or in combination improved pH, increased available N, P and percentage of carbon in soils as well as increased the microbial density. Rice husk biochar alone or in combination with sugarcane bagasse fertilizer improved yield of hybrid maize. The findings of the research indicated that biochar application with 5-ton ha-1 combined with 5-ton ha-1 of sugarcane bagasse fertilizer increased plant biomass and seed yield of hybrid maize.