Effects of biochar and zeolite integrated with nitrogen on soil characteristics, yield and quality of maize (ZEA MAYS L.)

World population is increasing with massive rate and to achieve the goal of feeding 8.6 billion people by 2030, development of Good Agricultural practices (GAP) is imperative. The subject study was executed to appraise the impact of zeolite for improving soil property and quality which will ultimately enhance crop yields. For this purpose, zeolite (at rate of 1, 3 & 05 tons ha-1) blended with nitrogen (at rate of 0 and 140 kg -1) was administered in the soil and its residual effects were evaluated for 3 consecutive years. All treatments were applied with equal amount of phosphorus and potassium. The treatment with the highest rate of zeolite (Z3 = 05 tons ha-1) gave promising results and improved the soil electrical conductivity (EC) by 24%, bulk density by 2.5%, soil water holding capacity by 20.6% and total carbon by 22% as compared to control. Zeolite addition has also increased total nitrogen in soil up to 1.1 times, available phosphorus by 1.3 times and extractable potassium by 2.4% over the control. Zeolite performance was almost persistent through all 3 years. In all 3 years zeolite showed no significant effect over pH of the soil. Treatments of zeolite blended with nitrogen depicted similar results as of sole zeolite treatments, except total nitrogen which is because of more nitrogen supply into soil in some treatments. Zeolite application improved soil properties due to its porous structure which conserves moisture and also increased the fertilizer use efficiency. Increase in total nitrogen may be the result of increased microbial activity in the soil. (author)