Effects of Farmyard Manure and Biochar on Crop Performance and Soil Properties in Bhaktapur District of Nepal

Roshan M Bajracharya* and Deepak K Gautam

Kathmandu University, Nepal

*Corresponding Author: Roshan M Bajracharya, Kathmandu University, Nepal

DOI: 10.64258/3068-5532.2025.101005

Submission Date: May 12, 2025

Published Date: May 20, 2025

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Abstract

In view of climate change and the increased stress on agricultural soils due to modern farming practices, sustainable alternatives, such as, the application of locally prepared farmyard manure (FYM) and biochar, along with permaculture practices like coffee agroforestry are gaining considerable scientific interest. The locally prepared FYM and biochar used in this study were both high in pH and organic matter, with FYM being higher in other nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, while biochar was considerably higher in trace elements, namely, iron, zinc, manganese and copper. Soil amended with traditional FYM and biochar + FYM led to significant improvements in properties of an acidic mid-hill soil in Bhaktapur District of Nepal compared to the untreated soil. Specifically, the biochar + FYM treatment led to significant increases in soil pH, soil organic matter content, available phosphorus and exchangeable potassium. Addition of FYM alone, however, only led to increases in SOM, total nitrogen, and AP when considering both topsoil (0-15 cm) and subsoil (15-30 cm) layers. With respect to crop performance, paired t-test indicated that compared to the sole FYM treatment, biochar + FYM application resulted in significantly increased crop growth rates, ranging from 19 to 49 % higher than the former for the various crops grown. A similar trend, was not, however, observed for crop yields, which were significantly higher due to the application of biochar + FYM only for soybean compared to the sole FYM treatment. Longer term field trials with biochar amendment are recommended to confirm significant crop yield increases. Due to the strongly alkaline nature and high organic content of biochar produced from crop residues, leaf litter, weeds and grasses, its application can have beneficial effects on organic carbon accumulation and soil pH levels of acidic soils

Keywords

Biochar; Farmyard Manure; Soil Organic Carbon; Bulk Density; Eupatorium sp.

Citation

Bajracharya RM, Gautam DK (2025) Effects of Farmyard Manure and Biochar on Crop Performance and Soil Properties in Bhaktapur District of Nepal. Curr Tren Agron & Agric Res 1(1): 1-10.