https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5575-2766
![Sample our Environment & Agriculture journals, sign in here to start your access, latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5934/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Environment-Agriculture.jpg"})
ABSTRACT
Biogas slurry is a by-product of biogas production, which is generated from anaerobic digestion of animal waste and crop residue. It is generally considered a waste material. However, its application can improve soil health, crop yield, and profitability of the farmers as it is a rich source of organic matter and plant nutrients. Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the combined effect of biogas slurry and chemical fertilizer on grain yield of maize and economic return. The treatments were soil test-based chemical fertilizer, chemical fertilizer + cow dung manure (5 t h–1) or poultry manure (3 t h–1), chemical fertilizer + cow dung biogas slurry (5 t h–1) or poultry biogas slurry (3 t h–1) along with traditional farmer practice as the control. Application of biogas slurry from cow dung or poultry manure in combination with chemical fertilizer resulted in 20–24% higher grain yield along with 22–23% greater gross return and 52–53% more gross margin compared with the traditional farmer practice indicating the beneficial effect of integrated application of biogas slurry and chemical fertilizer on maize productivity and financial return. Integrated application of biogas slurry and chemical fertilizer has a good potential in maize production as it provides higher grain yield and economic profitability.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank the SNV Netherlands Development Organization, Netherlands and the Infrastructure Development Company Limited, Bangladesh, for providing financial assistance. The authors gratefully acknowledge the Director General, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, for project-related support. The authors also thank the farmers who participated in the field trials.