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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 13 No. sp5 (2026): Recent Advances in Agriculture

Temporal dynamics of soil potassium fractions as influenced by potassium-enriched rice husk biochar and farmyard manure

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.15443
Submitted
7 May 2026
Published
20-07-2026

Abstract

Understanding the transformation of potassium (K) among different soil pools is essential for improving its availability and use efficiency in cropping systems. An incubation study was conducted during 2024 at the College of Agriculture, V C Farm, Mandya, Karnataka, India to evaluate the effect of K-enriched rice husk biochar (BC) and farmyard manure (FYM) on soil chemical properties and K fractions over time. The experiment was laid out in a factorial completely randomized design (FCRD) with two main factors - soil alone and soil + FYM combined with five levels of K supplied through K-enriched biochar (KBC) (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 % recommended dose of K (RDK)), along with a conventional fertiliser treatment for comparison. Soil samples were incubated for 90 days with periodic destructive sampling. Results revealed that the combined application of FYM and 100 % RDK-KBC significantly increased electrical conductivity (EC) from 0.32–0.49 dS m-1 and soil organic carbon (OC) increased to         6.66 g kg-1 at 21 days after incubation (DAI) and remained higher at 90 DAI than the 3.97 g kg-1 observed in soil alone. Exchangeable calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) also increased to 7.40 and 3.40 cmol (p+) kg-1 respectively. Potassium fractions showed clear trends, increasing up to 30 DAI and declining thereafter. Under 100 % RDK-KBC with FYM, water-soluble, exchangeable and available K increased from 34.39–84.35, 42.06–93.37 and 80.38–157.78 mg kg-1 respectively. Non-exchangeable K decreased from 361.89–298.13 mg kg-1, indicating transformation into plant-available forms. The KBC + FYM ensured sustained K release, retention and enhanced soil fertility, proving to be a viable alternative to conventional K fertilisers.

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