Biochar-Assisted Amelioration of Saline Soil for Optimal Growth and Yield of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench)

Biswajit Das, Md Jahid Hasan Jone, Kazi Md Younus Tanim, Humayun Kabir, Nadia Islam, Tarikul Islam, Akhinur Shila and Rayhan Ahmed*

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Biochar-Assisted Amelioration of Saline Soil for Optimal Growth and Yield of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench)

Biswajit Das1,2, Md Jahid Hasan Jone2, Kazi Md Younus Tanim1, Humayun Kabir1, Nadia Islam1,3, Tarikul Islam1, Akhinur Shila4 and Rayhan Ahmed1*

1Department of Agriculture, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali

2Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

3Department of Agronomy, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh                  4Department of Agricultural Botany, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali

Corresponding author:

Rayhan Ahmed

Assistant Professor,

Department of Agriculture, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali

Email: rayhan.rimon@gmail.com

ORCiD: (0000-0003-2820-7890)

 

A R T I C L E  I N F O

Article Type: Research

Received: 05, Jun. 2024.

Accepted: 12, Jun. 2024.

Published: 25, Jun. 2024.

 

 

 A B S T R A C T

Saline soil poses a significant challenge to agricultural productivity, particularly in coastal regions. In this study, a field experiment at the agriculture research field of Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali was conducted where three doses of biochar were applied using RCBD with 3 replications in the soil to investigate the potential of biochar as a sustainable solution to enhance Okra growth and yield under saline conditions. To impose the salinity, 0.1M of NaCl solution were applied in each plot at the seedling stage. The findings demonstrated that the application of biochar significantly improves the growth and yield-contributing factors of okra. As the biochar dosage increased, notable increases in plant height, number of leaves per plant, lamina length, and petiole length were observed. Additionally, biochar-treated plants exhibited reduced time to first flowering (DAS), indicating enhanced early reproductive development. Chlorophyll content in okra leaves also showed a positive correlation with biochar application, suggesting improved photosynthetic efficiency and stress tolerance in saline conditions. Notably, biochar application positively influenced okra fruit characteristics. Higher biochar doses significantly increased the single fruit’s length, diameter, and weight. Moreover, the number of fruits per plant and overall yield per plot were notably higher in biochar-treated plants. Among the various biochar doses tested, the 4 tons/ha treatment proved the most effective, resulting in remarkable improvements in all growth and yield parameters. The findings indicate that using biochar might help the farmers of the coastal region to mitigate the salinity problem.
Keywords:

Biochar, Okra, Saline soil, Growth, Yield.

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