Biochar as sustainable input for nodulation, yield and quality of mung bean

Abstract To reduce dependency on synthetic fertilizers in response to the escalating costs of fertilizers and environmental limitations, it is imperative to enhance crop productivity and soil fertility sustainably. This research was carried out at the Agricultural Research Farm of Abdul Wali Khan University in Mardan, Pakistan, with the objective of investigating the effects of biochar on the qualitative attributes of mung beans. The randomize complete block design (RCBD) was used for the experiment having four replication. The treatments comprised of four levels of biochar i.e. 0, 10, 20 and 30 t ha −1 . Our results revealed that increasing biochar content caused an increase in yield components as well as attribute composition. The nodule density (17.8), pods plant −1 (27.3), grains pods −1 (11.4) and biological yield (6497 kg ha −1 ) produced best results under the application of 30 t ha −1 of biochar. Moreover, grain yield (1550 kg ha −1 ), grain nitrogen content (25.2 g kg −1 ) and straw nitrogen content (15.3 g kg −1 ) also resulted best under 30 t ha −1 biochar. While, 1000 grain weight (64 g) was recorded highest weight under 20 t ha −1 . The quality attributes showed that the oil content (41.1%), as well as the saturated and unsaturated fatty acid contents (13.7%), were found to be the best under the application of 30 t ha −1 . While, protein (23.37%) and linoleic acid (23.128%) content were the highest at 10 t ha −1 of biochar. Moreover, the palmitic acid (6.1025%) and stearic acid (2.64%) content resulted higher under 20 t ha −1 of biochar. All the attributes showed positive response to either small level of biochar or a large level, but their response showed that biochar can be a factor that improves both yield and quality. The study therefore suggests that biochar should be applied to the soil to improve its fertility in regards of nutrient and increased organic matter.