Effects of Biochar, Vermicompost and Cow Dung on Soil Carbon Sequestration and Plant Growth in Bangladesh

Hasan M, Al Mamun S, Asakura H, Hossain S, Rathna AZ and Mahin AI

Published on: 2026-01-12

Abstract

Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change. Greenhouse gases (GHGs) emission from agricultural sources such as cow-dung, poultry manures, rice straw, wheat straw, maize stalks, dry leaves, are now the major difficulty to climate change. This research specifically focused on carbon sequestration and crop growth in soil by using organic amendments (biochar, vermicompost, cow-dung, saw-dust, and compost) applied individually or in combination, at rates of 1 ton/ha, 5 ton/ha, and 10 ton/ha in pot experiment. Each treatment had three replications. Co-application of vermicompost with biochar at a rate 10 ton/ha increased the maximum plant height (123.8%) followed by cow-dung with biochar at a rate of 5 and 10 ton/ha increased plant height 110.9 and 110.6%, compared to the control, respectively. However, there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) found in plant height of the different treatments. Co-application of biochar with cow-dung at 10 ton/ha increased plant biomass and yield 193% followed by vermicompost 10 ton/ha (188.4%) compared to the control though there was no significant difference found among the different treatments where (p > 0.05). In the case of soil carbon sequestration, significant difference found among the treatments where (p < 0.05) and the maximum sequestration was found at biochar 10 ton/ha (73.4 ton/ha/yr) followed by biochar 5 ton/ha (71.5 ton/ha/yr) C. The co-application of biochar with cow-dung as well as vermicompost provided the best result for crop production, however, application of biochar alone provided the best result for soil carbon sequestration. Therefore, incorporating biochar enhances soil carbon sequestration, while combining biochar with vermicompost or cow-dung improves overall agricultural productivity.