Synergistic Benefits of Biochar and Polymer Integration in Rice-Wheat System: Enhancing Productivity, Soil Health, Water Use Efficiency, and Profitability

In addition to being nutrient exhaustive, rice-wheat rotation is plagued by excessive water usage and divergent input requirements. We hypothesized that applying biochar along with polymer would improve soil properties, increase water use efficiency and contribute to higher crop productivity. This study focused on developing water-efficient and economically sustainable strategies in rice-wheat system in the face of diminishing water and shrinking land resources.

A field investigation was conducted over two consecutive years in a rice-wheat rotation at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-Jammu in accordance with a split-plot design to evaluate the effectiveness of biochar (BC) and synthetic polymer (SP) on water use efficiency (WUE), soil properties and rice and wheat productivity under two cultivation practices (system of rice intensification, SRI, and farmer practices, FP).

The results showed that, compared with conventional FP, the SRI improved soil moisture content (6.6%) and infiltration rates (4.2%). Compared to those in the FP treatment, the WUE and net return in the SRI treatment were 1.45 and 1.3 times greater, respectively. Similarly, a higher rice yield (22.7%) was recorded in the SRI treatment than in the FP treatment. No residual effect of establishment method on wheat yield was recorded. However, the combination of BC and SP had a significant effect on soil properties, crop growth, and monetary returns in both the rice and wheat seasons.

Integrating SRI with biochar and polymer could be recommended for enhancing soil properties, WUE, crop productivity and net returns in northern India’s world-renowned basmati growing region.