**Abstract**

This chapter discussed on mitigating effects of rice husk biochar to the drought effect on maize ("BARI Hybrid Bhutta 9"). Four doses of rice husk biochar at 0, 5, 10, and 20 t/ha were applied in soil before sowing of seed. Drought treatments were maintained at 60% of field capacity and 40% of field capacity by watering every alternate day, and 80% of field capacity (control) was also maintained as wellwatered treatment. Plant growth and physiological parameters were studied at 6th leaf, 10th leaf, 14th leaf, tasseling stage, cob initiation stage, and maturity stage, and yield contributing parameters were studied after harvest. Soil physical and chemical properties were studied before sowing and after harvest of crop. Drought stress reduced plant morphological growth and affected physiology and yield of maize. Mitigation of drought stress in maize was well associated with the reduction of proline content, maintenance of water-related traits, exudation rate and enhanced chlorophyll content and SPAD value, as well as dry matter production. Rice husk biochar improved the growth and yield performance of maize under drought condition. Biochar application at 20 t/ha was the best treatment to improving drought tolerance in maize.

**Keywords:** amelioration, drought, tolerance, maize, biochar
