Integrated Effect of Sugarcane Trash, Pressmud and Zn on Soil Fertility and Productivity of Sugarcane in Calcareous soil

Abstract

The field experiment was conducted to study the effect of two levels of Zn (5 & 10 Kg Zn ha^-1 ) of Zn  either alone or in combination pressmud cake (PMC) and sugarcane trash (ST) on yield, uptake and fertility status of sugarcane (BO 137) in alluvial calcareous soil under SDF project for two consecutive year. The yield attributes and mean cane yield (58.90-76.90 t/ha) varied significantly due to different treatments. Sugarcane yield and sugar yield responds well to graded doses of Zn 10 kg ha^-1. Further, application of 50% Zn (5 kg ha^-1) in combination with PMC+ ST each @ 10 t ha^-1 recorded highest cane and sugar yield with the magnitude of enhancement to the extent of 30.56 % in cane yield and 36.79 % in sugar yield over RDF. Application of Zn fertilizer along with  organic manures significantly increased uptake of nutrients by sugarcane. Addition of PMC+ST in combination significantly influenced availability of macronutrients (NPK) and micronutrients (Fe, Mn and Cu) in general and Zn in particular. The effect of applied Zn fertilizer was more pronounced with PMC+ST. The organic carbon content of soil increased by 23.80 % in PMC treated plots over control. The application of 100% NPK depleted the fertility status of soil. Thus, integrated effect of organic and inorganic nutrient sources (RDF + PM 10 t ha^-1 + ST 10 t ha^-1 along with 50 % Zn (5 kg Zn ha^-1) was found beneficial for sustaining  productivity of sugarcane in calcareous soil of Bihar.

          Key Words: Pressmud, Sugarcane trash, Zn, Sugarcane, Productivity