Influence of Integrated Application of Biochar and Inorganic Fertilizer for Better Maize Production in Halaba District

Soil degradation is considered as the most serious challenge affecting crop production in Ethiopia. Due to decreased agricultural soil fertility, the nation's agricultural growth and food security negatively impacted. Nationwide, integrated soil fertility management approach is now held as the most promising strategy for enhanced soil fertility and better crop production. Afield trial was executed since 2023 G.C main cropping (summer) season to evaluate the integrated application of organic (biochar) and inorganic (NPSB) fertilizer on growth and yield of maize at Halaba district on two farmers field (farmers as replication). About four treatments were arranged in random complete block design (RCBD) design. 3.75m*4.2m plot size where 0.75 cm, 1 meter and 1.5 meter were used for separation between plants, plots and blocks respectively. The treatments were, (1) No inputs, (2) 100% inorganic fertilizer (100Kg/ha NPSB +260 Kg/ha urea), (3) 100% biochar (10 t/ha) and (4) 50% Inorganic fertilizer + 50% biochar. The result of the study revealed that integrated application of biochar and inorganic fertilizer were significantly affect the growth and yield parameters of maize. Application of 50% inorganic fertilizer and 50% biochar gave superior result in all growth and yield parameters i.e. plant height (255.2 cm), cob length (28.3 cm), biomass (28.2 t/ha) and grain yield (7153.4 kg/ha). The result also indicated that sole application of biochar was not statistically different in all growth and yield parameters compared with the control treatments. The higher growth and yield result recorded from the integrated application of 50% biochar and 50% inorganic fertilizer indicated that the applied biochar could made the soil to hold water and nutrient efficiently. Therefor it can be concluded that integrated application of 50% biochar and 50% inorganic fertilizer is effective to produce higher maize yield in the area.