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Aims: To investigate the effect of tobacco stalk biochar (TS Biochar) and synthetic zeolite (SZ) on light textured sandy loam soil in terms of improving the nutrient use efficiency and productivity of FCV tobacco. Study Design:  Randomized block design (RBD). Place and Duration of Study: ICAR-CTRI RS, Jeelugumilli, Andhra Pradesh, India. Methodology: Field experiment was conducted with eight treatments and three replications. The treatments included T1: 100 % NPK;  T2: 100% NPK +  1 t ha-1 TS Biochar; T3:  100% NPK + 250 kg ha-1 Synthetic Zeolite (SZ) ; T4: 100 % NPK + 1 t ha-1 TS Biochar + 250 kg ha-1SZ; T5: 100% NPK +  0.5 t ha-1 TS Biomass; T6: Adjusted N & K + 1 t ha-1 TS Biochar; T7: 1 t ha-1 TS Biochar + 250 kg ha-1SZ; T8: Control.TS Biochar was characterized for different functional groups using FTIR analysis Results: Results revealed that the application of 1 t ha-1 TS Biochar + 100% NPK and 1 t ha-1 TS Biochar +250 kg ha-1 SZ + 100% NPK resulted in a significant increase in tobacco leaf yield compared to the 100% RDF alone . The highest uptake of nitrogen (84.56 kg ha-1) and potassium (122.73 kg ha-1) by tobacco was observed in T2 (100% NPK +1 t ha-1 TS Biochar).  Recovery efficiency of N and K applied was greater in tobacco stalk biochar soil amendment with 50.78 and 77.83 per cent as against 100 % NPK alone with 32.83 and 49.64 per cent, respectively. FTIR analysis indicated that TS Biochar is having negative hydroxyl, carbonate and carboxyl functional groups on the surface. Hence, tobacco stalk biochar (TS Biochar) at the rate of 1t ha-1 along with 100% recommended chemical fertilizers can be recommended for the tobacco growing farming community for enhanced yield, nutrient uptake, nutrient use efficiency and soil properties. Conclusion: Tobacco stalk biochar (TS Biochar) can serve as soil amendment for enhancing nutrient use efficiency in light textured Alfisols.

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A field experiment was conducted during rabi, 2007-08 and 2008-09 at Jeelugumilli, Andhra Pradesh under irrigated Alfisols conditions to find out the effect of levels of nitrogen and potash on growth, yield and nutrient uptake pattern of flue-cured Virginia tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) cv. Kanchan which is a heavy feeder and high yielder. The results of the experiment revealed that leaf dry weight increased from 30-90 days after planting with increase in N dose from 90 to 140 kg N/ha. Maximum accumulation of leaf dry weight was observed between 60-90 days after planting. Stem and root dry weight increased up to 120 days after planting during both the years. Green leaf yield and cured leaf yield increased progressively and significantly with increase in the N level from 90 to 140 kg N/ha. Higher grade index was recorded at 115 kg N/ha followed by 140 and 90 kg N/ha. The concentration of nitrogen in the leaf increased with increase in nitrogen dose but decreased with increase in level of potassium at the same nitrogen level. Nitrogen uptake increased with increased levels of N and K. Potassium content was high in the initial stages and slowly decreased with the advance in the age of the crop. Initially the difference in the uptake of N and K was narrow, the ratio widened with the age of the crop and finally the ratio was 1:1.3 to 1.4. Higher K uptake in leaf was observed at 115 kg N and while, higher K uptake in stem and root were observed at 140 kg N with 140 kg K2O /ha. The chemical quality parameters, viz. reducing sugars and nicotine in leaf lamina were within the acceptable limits. Higher green leaf yield, cured leaf yield, nitrogen and potassium uptake were recorded with application of 140 kg each of N and K2O/ha in FCV tobacco cv. Kanchan in irrigated Alfisols of Andhra Pradesh.

An assessment of soil fertility of Northern Light Soil area of FCV tobacco was carried out to study the status of soil macro and micronutrients. Soils of the study area are mostly moderately acidic in nature with low organic carbon and available nitrogen with a mean value of 0.29 % & 110 kg ha-1, respectively. Available phosphorus was high (88% samples) with a mean value of 92.6 kg ha-1. While the average available potassium content was 297 kg ha-1 with 48 % samples in medium class. Among available micronutrients, the available zinc content in 73 % of samples was very low – low (0.0 to 0.6 ppm).  Whereas the availability of copper in 25 % samples was very low to low as per the fertility class (0.0 - 0.30 ppm).  Available iron (18.8 -35.03 ppm) and manganese (17.03-21.5 ppm) contents were high in the region. Nutrient index of available nitrogen was 1.00 (Low) while, NI was 2.83 (High) & 2.36 (Medium) for available phosphorus and available potassium, respectively.

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