Abstract
The effects of a mixture of charcoal and pyroligenous acid (MCPA; 80% charcoal and 20% pyroligenous acid) applied to the soil at different fertilizer levels on the growth characteristics and yield of rice were examined. The total nitrogen content of the leaf blades was significantly increased (at 0.05% LSD level) by applying MCPA to the soil at each fertilizer level. The root activity was also increased by applying MCPA. Application of MCPA to the soil with a reduced amount of fertilizer (P-K; 3.5-4, 3.5-8 or 7-4 kg/10a) increased the yield of rice over that on the soil with the recommended amount of fertilizer (P-K; 7-8 kg/10a) without application of MCPA. The yield on the soil at each reduced fertilizer level was increased by applying MCPA. These results suggest that application of MCPA activated the root activity by improving the soil environment consequently promoting plant growth.
