Effect of Vermicompost and Biochar on Growth and Yield of Carrot in Red Lateritic Soils of Purulia District of West Bengal

An experiment was conducted at Horticultural Farm of Krishi Vigyan Kendra Kalyan, Purulia, West Bengal, India located at Jahajpur during Rabi season of 2019. The main objective was to determine the effectiveness of vermicompost and biochar on growth and yield of carrot. The experimental design applied was randomized block design (RBD) with three replicates for each treatment. The eight treatments comprised of T1- (Control), T2- (100% NPK), T3- (100% Biochar), T4- (50% Biochar + 50% NPK), T5- (75% Biochar + 25% NPK), T6- (100% Vermicompost), T7- (50% Vermicompost + 50% NPK), T8- (75% Vermicompost + 25% NPK). The growth parameters i.e. plant height, number of leaves, root length, root diameter and yield parameter fresh weight of root were analyzed during growth period and final harvesting in carrots for each treatment using standard methods. The results showed that vermicompost and biochar had a positive effect on all the parameters. T7- 50% Vermicompost + 50% NPK recorded highest yield of 27.67 t/ ha, while the lowest yield (12.24 t/ ha) was recorded in T1- (Control) from the carrots which did not receive any nutrients. However, yield recorded in T4- 50% Biochar + 50% NPK was at par with T8- 75% Vermicompost + 25% NPK. On the basis of the results of this study, 50% Vermicompost + 50% NPK is therefore recommended because it improves the growth parameters resulting to higher yield in carrots.