Asian Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition

Salinity is a serious problem for soil and water in Bangladesh. It limits normal year round crop production. To reduce this problem, this experiment was conducted in farmers’ field of two sites at south coastal region of Bangladesh for two consecutive years. Six treatments viz., T₁: Control (no organic material and chemical fertilizer), T₂: 100% recommended chemical fertilizers (NPKS), T₃: 2 t ha^-1 rice husk biochar + 100% recommended chemical fertilizers (NPKS), T₄: 3 t ha^-1 poultry manure + chemical fertilizers (NPKS) with IPNS basis, T₅: 3 t ha^-1 vermicompost + chemical fertilizers (NPKS) with IPNS basis, T₆: 3 t ha^-1 Mazim organic fertilizer + chemical fertilizers (NPKS) with IPNS basis were used in this experiment. The design of the experiment was randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 3 replications. The T. Aman rice (var. BRRI dhan52) was used as test crop. The results revealed that the maximum yield and yield contributing parameters were found in T₃ treatment. Results also revealed that all the organic amendments integrated with chemical fertilizers were capable to increase soil fertility level by reducing salinity. Among them, T₃ treatment was best because highest organic carbon, total nitrogen, available sulphur, available phosphorus, exchangeable potassium and lowest electrical conductivity, exchangeable sodium of post-harvest soils were found in this treatment. Therefore, integrated use of rice husk biochar and chemical fertilizers could be the better approach for enhancing food security through increasing crop production in southern saline region as well as whole Bangladesh.