The Effect of Various Biochar and Chemical Fertilizers on Growth and Nutrient Concentrations of Sugarcane

In order to investigate the effect of different biochar and chemical fertilizers on growth and nutrient concentrations of sugarcane, a factorial layout has been conducted based on a randomized complete block design with three replications in the greenhouse of Imam Khomeini Agro-Industrial Company in Khuzestan during 2020. The experimental factors include biochar types (sugarcane bagasse, rice husk, rice straw, wheat straw and wood chips) and Chemical fertilizers ((control), (Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium), (Nitrogen and Phosphorus), (Nitrogen and Potassium), (Phosphorus and Potassium), (Nitrogen), (Phosphorus), (Potassium)). The effect of interaction between biochar and chemical fertilizer treatments on the concentration of silicon, phosphorus and potassium of the plant has been significant at one percent and on the concentration of plant nitrogen at five percent. Also, the effect of interaction between biochar and chemical fertilizer treatments on fresh and dry weight of the plant has been significant at one percent and on plant height at five percent. The highest concentration of Si has been gained from the treatments of mixture of rice straw biochar and nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, mixture of rice straw biochar and nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer. Compared to the control, the treatments of mixture of rice straw biochar and nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizer have had the highest concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus in the plant, increasing the concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus by 49% and 36%, respectively. The highest height and fresh weight of the plant are related to the treatments of mixture of rice straw biochar and nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer. According to the results, the application of biochar and chemical fertilizers mixture is recommended to increase the growth and nutrient concentrations of sugarcane.