Application of biochar and biological fertilizer to improve soil quality and Oryza sativa L. productivity

Rice husk is an agricultural waste that can be processed into biochar as the main ameliorant to improve soil quality and crop productivity. Biochar has the potential to be combined with biological fertilizers for intensive paddy farming. This study aimed at assessing the potential of biochar and biological fertilizers to improve soil quality and lowland paddy rice (Oryza sativa L.). This study used an experimental approach and the treatment of rice plants was carried out in a greenhouse. Rice plants were given biochar and biological fertilizer containing N-fixing and P-solvent microorganisms. The completely randomized experimental design involved four replications with six treatment combinations. The effect of this treatment was analyzed using analysis of variant (ANOVA) and least significant difference (LSD) with a 95% confidence level (alpha 0.05). We found that the optimal combination is 10 grams of biochar with three times of fertilizer (10BC+BF) on all parts of the plant. This research showed that the combination of biochar with biological fertilizers was able to significantly affect N, P and K in the soil. Only N in rice plants was also significantly affected by the treatment. The combination capable to increase the rice productivity according to paddy clumps and yield.