In a study published in the journal Nitrogen, Dhakal et al., explored how the combined application of biocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More and bokashi affects wheat production. The research focused on optimizing nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and water use efficiency (WUE) in wheat cropping systems.  

The scientists conducted a glasshouse experiment with different treatments: a control, bokashi alone, and bokashi combined with 1% or 2% biochar, under varying irrigation levels. They discovered that the combined application of bokashi and biochar significantly improved several key factors.  

Wheat grain yield, straw yield, total biomassBiomass is a complex biological organic or non-organic solid product derived from living or recently living organism and available naturally. Various types of wastes such as animal manure, waste paper, sludge and many industrial wastes are also treated as biomass because like natural biomass these More, total nitrogen uptake, grain protein content, NUE, and WUE all increased with the bokashi-biochar combination. The most significant improvements were seen with the 1% biochar application. The study highlights the importance of optimizing irrigation along with soil amendments to enhance wheat productivity.  

This research suggests that combining biochar and bokashi enhances soil fertility, nutrient availability, and water retention, leading to better crop yields and resource utilization.  

SOURCE: Dhakal, G., Fujino, T., Magar, S.T., & Araki, Y. (2025). Optimizing Nitrogen and Water Use Efficiency in Wheat Cropping Systems Through Integrated Application of Biochar and Bokashi Under Different Irrigation Regimes. Nitrogen, 6, 21.