Journal of Scientific Research and Reports

Background: Biochar-based slow nutrient release fertilisers may provide a more gradual nutrient supply than conventional fertilisers and could support nutrient uptake in cotton.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a biochar-based slow nutrient release fertiliser (SnRF, 10% N w/w) applied at varying nitrogen levels on the productivity and total NPK uptake of cotton grown in a Vertisol.

Study Design: The experiment was conducted using a randomised block design (RBD) with seven treatments and three replications.

Place and Duration of Study: Research Farm, Department of Soil Science, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra, India, during the Kharif season of 2024–25.

Methodology: The experiment involved seven treatments under the RBD, as follows: Absolute control (T₁), 100% RDF through straight fertiliser (T₂), 100% RDF through straight fertiliser + FYM @ 5 t   ha^-1 (T₃), 100% RDN through SnRF + 100% PK through straight fertiliser (T₄), 75% RDN through SnRF + 100% PK through straight fertiliser (T₅), 50% RDN through SnRF + 100% PK through straight fertiliser (T₆), and 25% RDN through SnRF + 100% PK through straight fertiliser (T₇). The cotton crop was managed with a recommended fertiliser dose (RDF) of 90:45:45 kg N, P₂O₅, K₂O ha^-1 using a spatial planting geometry of 90 cm × 45 cm. At crop maturity, economic performance was evaluated using seed cotton and stalk yields, which were subsequently correlated with total nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) uptake.

Conclusion: Compared with T2, treatment T₃ significantly increased seed cotton and stalk yields by 12.47% and 8.44%, respectively. Similarly, treatment T₄ increased seed cotton and stalk yields by 4.78% and 2.50%, respectively, relative to T₂. These productivity increases were closely reflected in macronutrient uptake; T₃ increased total nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) uptake by 26%, 19%, and 15%, respectively, whereas T4 increased N, P, and K uptake by 14%, 8%, and 6%, respectively, compared with T₂. Consequently, these findings indicate that inorganic fertilisers combined with FYM performed better, while slow nutrient release fertiliser (SnRF) served as an efficient and potentially sustainable alternative to conventional inorganic fertilisation.